I-Gosearch

Posted: April 24, 2015

Threat Metric

The Threat Meter is a malware assessment that SpywareRemove.com's research team is able to give every identifiable malware threat. Our Threat Meter includes several criteria based off of specific malware threats to value their severity, reach and volume. The Threat Meter is able to give you a numerical breakdown of each threat's initial Threat Level, Detection Count, Volume Count, Trend Path and Percentage Impact. The overall ranking of each threat in the Threat Meter is a basic breakdown of how all threats are ranked within our own extensive malware database. The scoring for each specific malware threat can be easily compared to other emerging threats to draw a contrast in its particular severity. The Threat Meter is a useful tool in the endeavor of seeking a solution to remove a threat or pursue additional analytical research for all types of computer users.

The following fields listed on the Threat Meter containing a specific value, are explained in detail below:

Threat Level: The threat level scale goes from 1 to 10 where 10 is the highest level of severity and 1 is the lowest level of severity. Each specific level is relative to the threat's consistent assessed behaviors collected from SpyHunter's risk assessment model.

Detection Count: The collective number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular malware threat. The detection count is calculated from infected PCs retrieved from diagnostic and scan log reports generated by SpyHunter.

Volume Count: Similar to the detection count, the Volume Count is specifically based on the number of confirmed and suspected threats infecting systems on a daily basis. High volume counts usually represent a popular threat but may or may not have infected a large number of systems. High detection count threats could lay dormant and have a low volume count. Criteria for Volume Count is relative to a daily detection count.

Trend Path: The Trend Path, utilizing an up arrow, down arrow or equal symbol, represents the level of recent movement of a particular threat. Up arrows represent an increase, down arrows represent a decline and the equal symbol represent no change to a threat's recent movement.

% Impact (Last 7 Days): This demonstrates a 7-day period change in the frequency of a malware threat infecting PCs. The percentage impact correlates directly to the current Trend Path to determine a rise or decline in the percentage.

Threat Level:	5/10
Infected PCs:	47

First Seen:	April 24, 2015
OS(es) Affected:	Windows

I-Gosearch or i-gosearch.com is a search engine site that includes additional advertising content for revenue. While scans of I-Gosearch's results by malware researchers have yet to show any signs of threatening content, I-Gosearch sometimes is promoted by browser hijackings and other unwanted functions standard to Potentially Unwanted Programs. Any Web browsers that redirect to I-Gosearch or I-Gosearch-related content automatically should be assumed to be infected until your PC security tools can identify and remove the responsible threat or Potentially Unwanted Program.

When Your Browser goes Searching without You

I-Gosearch is an example of an innumerable series of search engine websites that provide limited functionality on their own, despite their lengthy anti-liability clauses. Malware researchers' investigations saw limited unique results through I-Gosearch's search engine, albeit with the inclusion of third-party advertising content. When judged as an independent website, I-Gosearch is not classified as unsafe to visit, but may promote potentially threatening or untrustworthy advertising links, which you should view with all standard caution. Some of the usual attacks malware researchers see launched through similar advertisement links encompass fraudulent updates that install threats, to phishing attacks posing as surveys or free trials.

I-Gosearch sometimes also is a beneficiary, whether deliberate or otherwise, of the browser modifications of PUPs that could cause additional problems for your PC. This history extends back to at least 2012, with minor adware add-ons conducting browser hijackings that redirected all Web searches to I-Gosearch. At least one browser, Firefox, also saw additional symptoms, such as pop-ups, which accompanied these I-Gosearch redirects. Chrome, IE, and other, modern browsers also are expected to be at risk.

Due to the general applicability of these functions and the I-Gosearch hijacking campaign's length of operation, malware researchers, unfortunately, have not identified all the specific browser add-ons responsible.

Getting Away from Going to I-Gosearch

I-Gosearch isn't notably more threatening than other search engine sites with a minimum of content besides their legal disclaimers, but links promoted by I-Gosearch should be judged cautiously for their potential to harm your computer. Although malware experts have judged it safe to visit I-Gosearch directly, unwanted redirects to I-Gosearch usually must be assumed to be symptoms of an installed adware extension or other PUP. Most PC security professionals recommend uninstalling all PUPs you have any doubts about using.

General PC security suites and specialized anti-adware tools are ideal for deleting I-Gosearch hijackers. Any other browser-related symptoms may be resolved through your browser's internal settings, such as by clearing your cache, or by reinstalling your Web browser completely. Losing browser-saved data may require the tediously refilling password forms. However, the potential risks of allowing I-Gosearch or other third parties to determine your search results at will are, unfortunately, far worse for the safety of your PC.

I-Gosearch

Threat Metric

When Your Browser goes Searching without You

Getting Away from Going to I-Gosearch

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