Basically a redirect virus, Search.tapufind.com overtakes your browser and modifies its settings thereby setting its own homepage on your browser. The homepage and search engine of your browser will be changed to http://search.tapufind.com/ by this browser hijacker as shown in the picture given below:
What is Search.tapufind.com redirect?
Unfortunately, you missed to check the installation process of the free software that you downloaded off the internet and search.tapufind.com hijacker got installed on your PC without your knowledge. Search.tapufind.com hijacks popular and genuine web browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer etc. and slows them down by displaying continuous intrusive ads.
Threat Summary
- Name – tapufind.com
- Browsers Affected – Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge
- Category – Browser Hijacker, Redirect Virus
- Symptoms –Modifies the New Tab Page functionality, modifies settings of home page, feeds the users with intrusive ads, redirects and advertisements during browsing sessions making the browser sluggish and collects Non Personally Identifiable Information of the user.
How did Search.tapufind.com get installed on your computer system?
The cybercriminals use various strategies for malware distribution which include –
- Software Bundling: Software bundling is the process in which a malicious program is distributed with other free software, to get an unnoticed entry into your computer system. When a user installs a free application, the malicious programs gains a front door entry with the free application, the user has downloaded. Thus, it is a good idea to keep an eye on the installation screens while installing these free applications.
- Infected Storage Devices: Your system can also get infected by using removable media such as USB hard drives and jump drives without scanning them with an anti-virus.
- Spam Emails – Spamming is the most economic and common method used for the distribution of such malware. The targeted users get genuine looking emails which contain .doc, .txt, and other similar attachments. These attachments can be named as anything which can grab the user’s attention and triggers him/her to open the attachment. As soon as the user opens this attachment, the malware infects the user’s computer system.
- Malicious Websites or Malovalent Advertisments: The malicious websites are the ones which are created just for promoting the malware infections. Such websites include but are not limited to porn sites, torrent sites and other free downloading platforms. By visiting such websites, the adware infects the user’s computer without permission. Fake advertisements and updates like Flash player and windows updates which ask the user to update to the latest version are a few examples. When the users click on such links, their computer system gets infected. That is why, it is highly recommended to resist clicking on such links. Also avoid clicking on advertisements offering free stuff such as Win an iPhones, cars or free overseas trips etc.
Why do you need to worry about Search.tapufind.com?
Search.tapufind.com is a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) that is not as harmful as a virus, for your PC but will carry out multiple changes to your default browser without your consent. Basically an adware, Search.tapufind.com will download malicious extensions on your PC and will display annoying advertisements in your browser on a continuous basis. It also offers various enhancements in the form of live weather, discounts and banners etc. but it is quite important to realise its intrusive and malicious behaviour in order to stay protected. This suspicious search engine that claims to enhance the browsing experience of the users, primarily collects the information relating to their browsing habits, so as to sell it to the third parties. It keeps on redirecting the users to many unwanted websites that they don’t intend to visit. The only purpose of such hoax search engines is to generate revenue for its developers thereby making its removal crucial, as soon as you discover it on your system.
How to remove Search.tapufind.com from your computer system?
Note: Before we begin, try to remember how the extension got downloaded on your computer system. Generally, these programs come bundled with free applications that we download off the internet. It is a good practice to locate and uninstall such programs while removing the Browser Hijacker/ Extensions.
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