Brandnewsearch.com: A Malicious Cyber Threat

Brandnewsearch.com emerges as a stealthy adversary, posing significant risks to users’ online security and privacy. Operating as a browser hijacker, this malicious software manipulates web browsers to redirect users to its designated search engine, while also displaying intrusive ads and collecting sensitive browsing data without consent.

Brandnewsearch.com Actions and Consequences

Once Brandnewsearch.com infiltrates a system, it immediately takes control of the default browser settings, altering the homepage, search engine, and new tab page preferences. Users often find themselves forcibly redirected to Brandnewsearch.com whenever they attempt to conduct online searches, effectively hindering their browsing experience.

Moreover, this intrusive software bombards users with a barrage of sponsored advertisements, pop-ups, and banners, disrupting normal web navigation and potentially exposing them to further malware infections. Additionally, Brandnewsearch.com stealthily harvests valuable user data, including browsing history, search queries, IP addresses, and geolocation information, which it then shares with third-party entities for targeted advertising or other malicious purposes.

Detection Names and Similar Threats

Brandnewsearch.com may be detected by various antivirus and anti-malware programs under different names, including:

• BrowserModifier:Win32/Brandnewsearch
• Adware/Brandnewsearch
• PUP.Brandnewsearch

Similar browser hijackers and adware threats include:

• Searchmarquis.com
• Searchlee.com
• Searchengage.com

Brandnewsearch.com Removal Guide

To effectively remove Brandnewsearch.com from your system, follow these comprehensive steps:

1. Uninstall Suspicious Programs:
   • Go to Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a Program.
   • Identify any recently installed suspicious programs and uninstall them.
2. Reset Web Browsers:
   • Reset browser settings to default to remove any unwanted extensions or changes made by Brandnewsearch.com.
   • Instructions may vary for different browsers, so refer to specific browser documentation for guidance.
3. Delete Browser Extensions:
   • Open the browser menu and navigate to Extensions or Add-ons.
   • Remove any unfamiliar or suspicious extensions related to Brandnewsearch.com.
4. Scan for Malware: Perform a full system scan using reputable antivirus or anti-malware software to detect and remove any remaining traces of Brandnewsearch.com.
5. Clear Browser Data: Clear browser cache, cookies, and browsing history to eliminate any stored data associated with Brandnewsearch.com.
6. Check Hosts File: Ensure the hosts file located at C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts does not contain any suspicious entries related to Brandnewsearch.com.
7. Reset DNS Settings: Flush DNS cache and reset DNS settings to default to prevent any lingering connections to Brandnewsearch.com servers.

Preventive Measures

To safeguard against future infections like Brandnewsearch.com, implement the following best practices:

• Exercise caution when downloading and installing software from the internet, especially from untrusted sources.
• Keep your operating system, browsers, and security software up to date to patch any vulnerabilities.
• Read user agreements and privacy policies before installing software to avoid unintentionally agreeing to intrusive practices.
• Use a reputable ad-blocker and browser security extensions to block malicious ads and scripts.
• Regularly backup important files and data to mitigate the impact of potential malware infections.