Do you know what Splintersearch.com is?
Splintersearch.com might look like a unique search engine, but in reality, it is a mere browser hijacker that was created for replacing your browser’s homepage. A browser hijacker is malicious by definition because it replaces the homepage address without the user’s knowledge or approval and this is exactly the case with this alleged search engine. Therefore, we recommend that you remove it, but not only because that it hijacks the homepage but also because its search results can feature malicious links. Furthermore, it can collect anonymous information about its users and use it to tailor and customize the advertisements.
Splintersearch.com features absolutely no information about its origins which just goes to show how unreliable it is. Clearly, it comes from a shady developer that created it to generate advertising revenue because this search engine is all it is good for. Its distribution methods are also unknown at the moment, but our malware analysts assume that its developers should follow the trend of all major browser hijacker developers and distribute it through malicious software bundles. You can encounter such malicious bundles while visiting shady software distributing websites that generate revenue by bundling freeware with not so transparent software such as potentially unwanted programs and adware. However, in some cases, the bundles can feature browser hijackers such as this one.
Splintersearch.com screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
Of particular note is the fact that Splintersearch.com does not have an accompanying browser extension. Therefore, it relies on the bundled installer to inject it into a browser. Researchers say that the installers can hide the presence of his hijacker so that you would not deselect its installation. So it will force it on your browser. They say that the installers should inject it in Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Internet Explorer. So it is available for the three most popular browsers.
Researchers say that this browser hijacker was configured to replace the homepage only. Hence, it does not replace the search provider or new tab page. Nevertheless, its main objective is t make you use it for conducting your online searches. Splintersearch.com redirects all search queries to Feed.combo-search.com which will redirect them to Search.yahoo.com/web?fr=yhs-invalid. Note that the Yahoo link here is modified and set to feature additional promotional links. Splintersearch.com developers have intentionally set up this chain of redirections because this hijacker does not have a search algorithm. Therefore, it is dependent on third-party services. But, even though it uses Yahoo to process the entered search queries, its search results window can feature shady promotional links and ads that can redirect you to shady and even malicious websites that can feature malware downloads or other content that can compromise your computer’s security or your privacy.
Speaking of privacy, it is worth mentioning that this hijacker was configured to collect information about you. Researchers say that it should collect information such as your browsing history, entered search queries, IP address, geographical location, links clicked, and so on. All of this information is of non-personal nature but is invaluable because it helps the developers to customize the ads and tailor them for each unique user.
Our malware analysts have concluded that Splintersearch.com is a browser hijacker due to the way it is distributed. It collects anonymous information to customize the promotional links and ads they are bound to be included in the search results. Consequently, this hijacker can subject you to malicious content, so you should consider removing it from your browser as soon as you can.
How to replace your homepage address
Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Open the browser.
- Simultaneously press Alt+T keys.
- Select Internet Options.
- Enter a new address in the home page line.
- Click OK.
Google Chrome
- Open the browser.
- Simultaneously press Alt+F keys.
- Select Settings.
- Click Set pages and enter a new address.
- Click OK.
Mozilla Firefox
- Open the browser.
- Simultaneously press Alt+T.
- Click Options and select General.
- In the Home Page box, enter a new address.
In non-techie terms:
Malware analysts found that Splintersearch.com is more than just a search engine. They found that it hijacks a browser’s homepage in an attempt to make you use it for searching the web. Unfortunately, its search results can feature rather unreliable and malicious content. Furthermore, it collects information to customize the ads and promotion links it presents. If you want to get rid of it, consult the instructions above.