LuckySearch123.com

LuckySearch123.com looks like a clean, minimalistic search engine, but we have found that there is more to it than meets the eye. We have found that it belongs to the Elex browser hijacker family, so it is distributed is a malicious manner. Therefore, if you have it as your homepage, then you probably got it without even knowing it. Indeed, it is distributed in a malicious manner, but not just to force you to use it and for this reason we recommend that you remove it. Our research has revealed that this hijacker features promotional links in its search results and they can pose a serious threat to your computer’s security because it might promote infected websites. Furthermore, it can collect non-personally identifiable information about you and use it for customizing the advertising campaign. In short, this alleged search engine is no good, but if you want to find out more, then we invite you to read this whole article.

From the outset, it is necessary to establish the origins of this malicious search engine. We have found that it is part of the Elex browser hijacker family which also includes Funnysiting.com, Funcionapage.com, Fvpimageviewer.com, and several others. This and other browser hijackers in this family were set up by the same people for a very selfish purpose to which we will get to in a bit. The important thing to note here is that there is no information about the company that created them and there is no apparent link between the aforementioned hijackers. But, they all function and look the same and some of them are even hosted on the same server. Nevertheless, its developers need to release new hijackers because the older ones get picked up by security researchers and anti-malware applications such as SpyHunter remove it when detected.

As far as LuckySearch123.com’s distribution methods are concerned, we have discovered that it is distributed through malicious bundled software installers that are featured on highly unreliable freeware hosting websites that make money off bundling free and open-source applications with adware, browser hijackers, and potentially unwanted programs. Most of the installers are said to be configured to install this hijacker automatically and deny you the option to uncheck its installation altogether, while some might allow you to do that, but the checkbox can be hidden in an advanced settings menu.

Our research has revealed that the installers LuckySearch123.com is distributed in have been configured to inject it into your browser directly because this hijacker does not come with an accompanying browser add-on. The installers have been set to inject this browser hijacker into Microsoft Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. It replaces their homepage addresses in an effort to make you use it as your regular search engine. Now, the reason for making you use it is to show you promotional links that are included in the search results. The promotional links can be indistinguishable from regular links and this particular hijacker redirects all search queries to Google.com. Nevertheless, this does not mean that the promotional links are safe. We want to warn you that they can redirect to questionable websites that feature malware downloads or scam sites such as streetsecurity{.}xyz/united_kingdom_2/?utm_source=_ which is the website of the fake alert called Windows Detected Alureon Virus Pop-up. We also want to note that LuckySearch123.com can collect information about you to customize and tailor the promotional links for each unique user. The information it can collect includes your IP address, geographical location, browsing history, search queries, and so on. However, you should not allow it to collect this information and you should not use to avoid having cyber security issues.

As you can see, LuckySearch123.com is one shady search engine. It is distributed through a malicious distribution channel, shows questionable ads in its search results and collects information about you. And all of this is done to produce advertising revenue. To keep your computer safe and secure, we recommend that you remove this hijacker using the guide provided below.

Remove this hijacker manually

Mozilla Firefox

1. Simultaneously press Alt+T.
2. Click Options and select General.
3. In the Home page line, type a new homepage address.
4. Exit the Options menu.

Google Chrome

1. Simultaneously press Alt+F.
2. In the dropdown menu, select Settings.
3. Click Set pages and enter a new homepage address.
4. Click OK.

Microsoft Internet Explorer

1. Simultaneously press Alt+T.
2. Select Internet Options.
3. Enter a new homepage address in the address line.
4. Click OK.