Therefore, information tracking might lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. These people generate revenue by misusing private information. Collected data typically includes personal details that developers share with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). Another significant downside is information tracking.īrowser-hijacking applications and fake search engines usually record IP addresses, website URLs visited, web pages viewed, search queries, and other similar information relating to browsing habits. Thus, users simply end up searching via Yahoo (a legitimate search engine) and becomes redundant. It simply redirects users to when a search query is entered.

Note that is a useless search engine, since it does not generate any unique results.

This significantly diminishes the browsing experience. Ultimately, users are forced to visit when they open a new browser tab or search via the URL bar. These changes may seem insignificant, however, users are unable to revert them - Document Converter prevents users from accessing these options, or simply reassigns them whenever attempts are made to change them. There are three main reasons for these negative associations: 1) stealth installation without users' consent 2) promotion of a fake search engine, and 3) tracking of browsing activity.ĭocument Converter promotes the fake search engine by hijacking browsers and assigning the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage options to this address (). Its appearance suggests that this application is legitimate and useful, however, Document Converter is categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA) and a browser hijacker.

Document Converter is a deceptive application that supposedly allows conversion of various document formats.

Doxillion document converter malware