Hao.168.cn

Hao.168.cn is one of the many websites associated with browser hijackers, or PC threats that may lead your Web browser to unwanted sites. Hao.168.cn has been under registration for an extended period unrelated to these attacks and isn't threatening, but even browser hijackers from safe sites may present security risks. Anti-malware scans and cleared browser settings can help you remove a Hao.168.cn hijacker efficiently, which you should do as soon as it's possible.

'Good' Times for Someone, but Bad Times for Your Browser

Most ubiquitously known in a phrase for 'good morning,' or 'ni hao,' the word 'hao' is a favorite sub-domain for many Chinese websites. However, as harmless as the domain might sound, these sites may tend to be subjects of promotion by browser hijackers, adware and other software that may take control of your browser. The latest of these sites identified by malware researchers is Hao.168.cn, which is associated with a campaign only confirmed the last week of January of this year.

Symptoms of the Hao.168.cn hijacker limit themselves to loading Hao.168.cn automatically by redirecting the active window. This hijacking may affect all three, major brands of Web browsers: Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome. The application-indiscriminate implementation of these attacks also is accompanying a lack of relationship between Hao.168.cn hijackings and toolbars, add-ons, extensions, or any browser applications that might be potential culprits.

Analyses of Hao.168.cn showed no harmful or suspicious content, which corroborates with the records of other PC security companies. Nonetheless, browser hijackers are capable of loading threatening scripts, exploit kits, malvertising tactics, and other threats that operate within the confines of your Web browser. All software that redirects your browser automatically should be assumed to be hazardous, regardless of the history or other characteristics of the website under promotion.

Possibly significantly, even though Hao.168.cn is a Chinese domain seemingly designed for traffic from that region, English-speaking PC owners have reported experiencing browser hijackings from the site.

Getting Your Good Browser Back with Fewer 'Good' Websites

Hao.168.cn hijackers have yet to have their installation methodology confirmed, but non-consensual techniques like software bundles or even in-browser exploits are estimated causes. PC users with browser redirecting to Hao.168.cn should examine their browser history, behavior, and downloads for potential causes of security issues. Malware experts also encourage checking your Hosts file for the possibility of tampering to force Hao.168.cn to load. If necessary, these settings always can be restored from a safe backup. Most causes of browser hijackings with multiple browsers are unresolvable by simply reinstalling one or more Web-browsing programs.

Hao.168.cn is a domain with a long history of causing no trouble to Web surfers, but even good sites may become preferred destinations of browser-hijacking threats. Although many of these threats are products with no worse goal than loading extra advertisements, browser hijackers also may include threats, such as Trojans. If you have concerns about allowing such threats into your PC, scan your downloads with appropriate analysis tools, disable unnecessary Web content, and keep anti-malware products with active protection features available.