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page hijacking

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page hijacking

(1) The various ways in which a user is covertly redirected to a different website. For example, "home page" hijacking refers to changing the default address of the home page in the user's browser. When the browser is launched, it goes to that Web page.

"Browser hijacking" also refers to changing the home page as well as adding shortcuts to the Favorites menu or lowering security settings. These changes can be made using JavaScript or an ActiveX module.

Another form of page hijacking is copying a popular Web page from its original site to a third-party site so that it becomes indexed by search engines. After the links have been established, the content of the page is changed to reflect its real purpose, or it may redirect the user to a different site. See URL hijacking and hijacking.

(2) Stealing the source code of an attractive page from one site and using it on another with slight modifications.
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References in periodicals archive
The most virulent form of adware and one of the top adware threats on the web is a browser hijacker CoolWebSearch (CWS), claim Webroot's experts.
It can also spread from browser hijackers that redirect the search results to the site hosting the malware.
These include spyware, unauthorized popups, browser hijackers and Trojans.
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Ad-Aware 2008 can now identify over 1.2 million complex forms of spyware, viruses, and other hybrid malware strains while it monitors for tracking cookies, malicious objects, browser hijackers, keyloggers and Trojans.
Toolbar, providing toolbar users with free protection against a wide range of spyware, adware, keyloggers, browser hijackers and other threats.
* Browser hijackers -- reduce browser security settings and/or modify browser settings with the intention of redirecting users to automatic download sites.
Browser hijackers only affect Microsoft Internet Explorer; if you use another browser such as Opera or Mozilla you will have no problem, but some programs require MSIE, so you may not have a choice.
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