Srchz.com

First registered in the middle of 2013, Srchz.com is a search site with intermittent availability that sometimes is promoted through the earnest but uncalled for efforts of browser hijackers. Srchz.com hijacks haven't been identified as being tied to individual browser toolbars or other add-ons, and malware researchers warn that dishonest software bundles and other installation methods are very likely to be involved in this new browser-hijacking campaign. Whether you're redirected to Srchz.com, start seeing Srchz.com pop-ups or see other symptoms of low-level PC threats changing your browser for Srchz.com's benefit, using anti-malware products to remove the infection always is a good idea for keeping your PC safe.

A Search Site that's Easier to Find Than It Should Be

Srchz.com, although currently down, previously was a search engine-based website affiliated with Buump.me, an all but identical search site. Considering Buump.me's history, it's neither a coincidence nor a surprise to malware researchers to find that Srchz.com also has been enjoying the fruits of free traffic from ongoing browser hijacking attacks. While Srchz.com browser hijacks are expected to emphasize redirects from other search sites, they also may make modifications to your browser that result in other symptoms, with some other probable issues including:

• Setting your homepage to Srchz.com.
• Injecting links, banners or other content promoting Srchz.com into the Web pages of unrelated sites.
• Loading arbitrary pop-ups for Srchz.com.

Because of Srchz.com's recently disabled status, the newness of its domain registration and related issues, malware researchers have been unable to examine Srchz.com's content in depth. At this point, Srchz.com isn't rated as a risky site, but appropriate precautions still should be considered whenever your browser loads Srchz.com for any reason. Disabling Flash and JavaScript, updating all exploitable software (such as Adobe's PDF Reader, Microsoft Office and your browser) and using anti-malware products with Web protection functions are some of the forms of defense that are most recommended when browsing Srchz.com or similar suspicious websites.

A Search to Get Your Web Searches Back in the Right Place

Srchz.com hijacks always should be taken seriously as possible security threats, even if Srchz.com appears to be down or of limited functionality at the time of the hijacks. Because Srchz.com hijack attacks aren't a byproduct of a specific brand of browser add-on, malware experts would emphasize the importance of avoiding drive-by-download attacks and other methods of installing software that don't require your permission. Be responsive to the dangers present in such PC threats as fake product updates, website-hosted exploit kits and file attachments delivered through spam, all of which may be used to install either a Srchz.com hijacker or a Trojan that enables the installation of browser hijackers.

A regular browser redirect to sites like Srchz.com, even when the site is down, is a danger to your Web-browsing experience that may be implemented next to even more drastic but less visible system changes. One of the most common and risky of these is the potential for your browser's settings to be changed to allow unsafe content to load without any warnings, enabling the easy compromise of your PC by other types of threats. Malware experts would encourage anti-malware products for deleting Srchz.com hijackers and for removing any other changes caused by them, including those that ultimately are responsible for redirecting your browser.