Spyware Information: CWS.GonnaSearch
This is a hijacker application. Hijackers take control of your web browser's settings, and usually change your homepage, search page or other default pages to point to web sites owned by the hijacker. Since the hijackers can make money based on the number of visits to their web sites, they benefit from forcing you to view their web sites each time your web browser opens.
Hijackers don't normally damage your computer or steal your personal information.
- Size: 5,366,784 bytes
- Threat level: Medium (more info...)
- Detections: 6,731 this month: 0
- Author: CoolWebSearch.com
- Appeared: Variants from August, 2002 to February, 2004
Research
- Method of infection: You can get this program by clicking on the Search bar at (gonnasearch.com). If your browser security settings are low, this can install the software without your knowledge or consent.
- Advertising: This may open pornographic pop-ups, and may also show pop-ups every time you use a search engine.
- Browser degradation: This program monitors your web browsing use, and will cause your computer to run more slowly as it processes your surfing data.
- Privacy issues: None.
- Security issues: Yes. It changes your browser's security settings so that, if you visit coolwebsearch.com, it can install arbitrary code.
- Stability issues: Some variants of this software hook into the LSP chain, which is necessary for all network (and Internet) traffic. If this software malfunctions, or is removed improperly, it will cause your Internet connection to break completely.
Spyware Detection Stats
- Spyware Fingerprints: 91,859
- Detections: 6,798,871
- Detections this Month: 407
Spyware Search
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