Re: Surf Vpn Extension For Chrome
Jemima Torguson
People like browsers. They help people surf the web and they allow us to bookmark our favorite sites so that we can come back for more content, again and again. These days, people really like browsers. They not only represent a window into the web, but they also provide us with a deeper range of functions such as online apps, web services, cloud storage services and so much more.
This connectivity conundrum has given rise to a new breed of vendors now aiming to give us privacy controls so that we know how much access we have allowed our browser extensions to take if we have installed them. These new platforms are being developed to enable users to check the permissions of browser extensions.
We know that any web-based add-on or extension comes with a risk, though. Some add-ons require relatively extensive permissions of your system and are able to perform actions including reading (or, in some cases, even changing) all data on the websites that a user visits. Even more of an issue is the fact that many required add-on permissions are not always really necessary for the tasks they are supposed to be able to perform.
Industry specialists in this area recommend that users should keep their list of installed extensions as short as possible -- and, where an add-on is not essential (or you think there might be some reason not to trust the developer) uninstall it.
Run a web search to see what other users have said about the extension, go to user group pages to see what users think, look for Reddit reports and so on. Even a widely used freemium tool like Grammarly (strictly speaking a software platform, but widely thought of as a browser extension) has had security issues in its time, although these were rapidly fixed.
The best advice is, stay close to the big name vendors and brands that you know (the Spotify extension on Google Chrome is unsurprisingly safe this week, for example) and read as much as you can to find out what other users think.
EDIT:
After a full week of enabling/disabling extensions, I finally found that it was caused by an extension called Video Grabber (not in Chrome Web Store anymore) that I might have installed years ago.
1.Check is there any apk(application either from playstore or others) were installed. Identify what application and then google it if other user might face the same problem.2.Recheck your chrome settings. Make sure nothing weird on there
Otherwise, this is my opinion. Sometimes I have installed certain games and application from 3rd party and then after installing and use it for few times. Sometimes, either once a day or more chrome automatically open up and went to certain sites in playstore. Its nothing to do with virus bzoc that is another way of promoting certain application to people. 100 % not virus I think bcoz it linked up with playstore. If link to another website then it may be.
While inspecting suspicious websites, our research team discovered the Surf Start browser extension. It promises easy access to surfing sports results and news. However, our inspection revealed that Surf Start operates as a browser hijacker and promotes the search.nstart.online fake search engine.
Surf Start assigns search.nstart.online as browsers' homepage, default search engine, and new tab/window URLs. Additionally, this browser hijacker employs persistence-ensuring techniques - to prevent browser recovery.
With this extension installed: new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar - result in redirects to search.nstart.online. Fake search engines are usually incapable of providing search results, so they redirect to genuine ones.
We observed search.nstart.online causing several redirection chains. In some instances - it redirected straight to Bing (bing.com), while in others - the redirects landed on the nearbyme.io illegitimate search engine. Unlike most sites of this kind, nearbyme.io can generate search results, but they are inaccurate and may promote deceptive/malicious content. Note that search.nstart.online might redirect elsewhere since various factors like user geolocation can determine that.
Furthermore, Surf Start has data-tracking functionalities. Browser-hijacking software usually targets: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, credit card numbers, etc. The collected information can be monetized via sale to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
Browser-hijacking software usually appears legitimate and harmless. Users are enticed into download/installation with promises of "useful" functionalities, which are seldom operational. And even if they are - that is not proof of the software's legitimacy or safety.
We obtained Surf Start from a deceptive webpage. Browser hijackers can have "official" promotional pages, and they are pushed through online scams. Most users enter these sites via redirects caused by webpages using rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.
Browser-hijacking software can be bundled with (packed alongside) ordinary programs. Downloading from dubious sources (e.g., unofficial and freeware sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushing installation processes (e.g., skipping steps and sections, etc.) - increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the device.
We strongly recommend researching software and downloading only from official/verified sources. It is just as important to approach installation with care, e.g., by reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting-out of additional apps, extensions, tools, etc.
We also advise being careful when browsing since illegitimate and malicious content typically appears ordinary and harmless. For example, intrusive advertisements can look legitimate yet redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).
In case of encounters with ads/redirects of this type, check the device and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Surf Start, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the search.nstart.online website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".
To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".
If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.nstart.online redirect, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.
I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.
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