Recovering from a Browser Hijack
Your screen is frozen, your browser keeps popping open new windows, and pop-ups are claiming your computer’s been hacked. Strange sounds and voices are playing, and your web browser wants you to call a phone number. If this sounds at all familiar, you are experiencing a browser hijack, but don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place. We’re here to explain the situation, help you fix the issue, and get back to normal.
What is a Browser Hijack?
A browser hijack can encompass several different kinds of attacks, but they’re all characterized by a few common elements:
Whether through a mis-clicked link or being deceived to visiting an intentionally malicious site, a website has taken control of your browser.
Repetitive notifications or deceptive alerts will attempt to deceive you into reaching out to scammers.
Your browser may be modified to continually redirect you to malicious sites or continually alert you with fraudulent warnings.
Typically, a browser hijack serves one purpose: to get you to get in touch with malicious actors who will attempt to access your machine, retrieve payment from you, or extort your personal information. There are two key skills to remember: 1) Remain calm and do not panic. 2) Do not call any numbers provided directly to you via phone, email, or website.
How do I Remove a Browser Hijack?
If you believe your browser or computer has been hacked, the best first step is to shut down your computer and ensure it is removed from your network. This means completely powering it down and unplugging any ethernet cables that may connect it to other devices on your network.
In most cases, a browser hijack can be resolved by a restart of the computer. Typically, browser hijacks do not pose a threat unless you get in contact with malicious actors and can be cleared out by restarting your computer which will reset your browser. In some cases, you may need to clear your browsing data, or even reinstall your browser.
If you have restarted your computer, reinstalled your browser, and are still experiencing issues, reach out to an IT professional to pursue a cybersecurity scan.
Has my Computer been Hacked?
In most cases, no. Most browser hijacks are only aimed to scare you and deceive you into calling a fraudulent or malicious actor. These actors will pose as Microsoft, Dell, or other software and computer manufacturers. Typically any issues caused will go away after a computer restart or browser reinstallation.
In cases where you are still experiencing issues after attempting these fixes, it's possible you may need a deeper cybersecurity scan. For assistance with cybersecurity scans, or any other questions, don’t hesitate to give Abstract a call!