Hijacker/CWS.AlFaSearch.2

Alias: CWS.AlFaSearch.2

Description: Hijacker/CWS.AlFaSearch.2 is the most widely known and the most annoying browser hijacker. It distributes itself by exploiting security holes in older or unpatched version of Microsoft Internet Explorer. Hijacker/CWS.AlFaSearch.2 has many variations, each of them with its own performance and actions.

Threat type:

Hijacker - A Hijacker is a software application that takes control of your browser's settings. Usually it changes your home page and redirects it to some unknown site or modifies your search settings. It prevents you from changing back your browser's settings. An infected browser usually operates much slower.

Advice: Remove This is a very high risk threat and should be removed immediately as to prevent harm to your computer or your privacy.

Detection:
SpyNoMore detects Hijacker/CWS.AlFaSearch.2: Yes

Threat risk: Very High Risk

Extremely dangerous malware. Uses stealth installation, randomly named entries and has the capability to self update or resurrect after incomplete removal. Almost impossible to remove manually. Category mostly consists of trojans and spyware.

Symptoms:

Hijacker/CWS.AlFaSearch.2 protects itself from security software.

Hijacker/CWS.AlFaSearch.2 hides from the user and stays resident in background.

Hijacker/CWS.AlFaSearch.2 displays commercial advertisements.

Hijacker/CWS.AlFaSearch.2 changes browser settings.

Hijacker/CWS.AlFaSearch.2 connects itself to the internet.

Hijacker/CWS.AlFaSearch.2 may install other software.

Hijacker/CWS.AlFaSearch.2 Signature Details: The following information includes some of the standard signatures associated with this spyware threat. Please do not attempt to manually remove these items from your computer; Removing these items incorrectly or partially can cause your computer to experience critical errors, prevent your computer from restarting or cause loss of Internet connectivity. Should you be infected with Hijacker/CWS.AlFaSearch.2, you can clean your computer by downloading SpyNoMore now.

Running Process Signatures:
N/A

File Signatures:
%PROFILE%\startup\winlogon.exe
%PROFILE%\all users\startup\winlogon.exe

Registered Dll (Dynamic Link Library) Signatures:
N/A

Folder Signatures:
N/A

Registry Signatures:
N/A

SpyNoMore Collected Residual File Signatures:
N/A

See Also:
Hijacker/CWS.SmartSearch
Hijacker/CWS.Yexe
BHO/Toolbar/Search Hijacker/CWS.GonnaSearch
Hijacker/CWS.SmartFinder
Hijacker/CWS.GoogleMS.2
Hijacker/CWS.MSConfd.2
Adware/Fresh Devices
Hacker Tool/FreeMe
Trojan/LoadKey
RAT/SoftEther