Losx.xyz – a browser hijacker that offers to surf the web via its unique search engine
Losx.xyz is a browser-hijacking application that travels via third-party apps such as APP and SDL
Losx.xyz, developed by QxSearch Inc., is categorized as a browser hijacker regarding its ability to apply suspicious search engine, homepage, and new tab URL changes to web browser apps. This suspicious program holds the 74.208.236.123 IP address as its serving IP and can touch web browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Explorer, and Safari. When the default search provider and other browser settings are altered, the user is encouraged to surf the Internet via the new engine. By using Losx.xyz services, you risk ending up on bogus websites with altered search results. Additionally, the browser hijacker might start redirecting you to unknown locations and risking your privacy. Nevertheless, you might not be able to avoid other suspicious activities such as targeted advertising and collection of browsing-related information.
| Name | Losx.xyz |
|---|---|
| Type | Potentially unwanted program |
| Sub-type | Browser hijacker |
| Danger level | Low. Even though the PUP itself is not dangerous, it might cause indirect danger by taking you to infectious sources or providing with surveys that prompt to enter personally-identifiable or credential information |
| Distribution | The browser hijacker has been found to spread via third-party software such as SDL, APP, and other programs. Also, you can enter the suspicious program on networks filled with odd hyperlinks and adverts |
| IP address | The potentially unwanted application uses the 74.208.236.123 IP as its serving Internet Protocol address |
| Detection names | According to VirusTotal URL identification information, losx.xyz has been detected as a suspicious domain by Forcepoint ThreatSeeker AV engine |
| Elimination | Employ reputable tools to eliminate the virus. Also, you can try out the manual instructions placed to the end of this article |
| Repair | You can download Reimage Reimage Cleaner and try repairing some corrupted entries or files that might have been affected by the approach of the browser hijacker |
According to research, Losx.xyz virus might be distributed via third-party applications such as SDL, APP, and similar ones. This product is likely to enter the targeted computer system unknowingly and starts inserting modifies entries and files in the Task Manager, Registry, and other sections.
This way Losx.xyz can perform a big variety of activities and be sure that its automatical startup process will run within every computer and browser boot-up process. Even though this PUP is not currently detectable by many AV engines, Forcepoint ThreatSeeker already finds it as suspicious, according to VirusTotal file information.[1]
Continuously, Losx.xyz might insert suspicious browser helper objects such as extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons. Also, some types of tracking objects such as browser cookies, beacons,[2] or pixels might appear and start recording your browser sessions, searching history, and habits for targeted advertising.
Even though developers of Losx.xyz state in their Privacy Policy that they take serious security measures regarding personal information safety, there still is a risk that some private data of yours might get leaked during the activity period of the browser hijacker. The creators of this PUP tend to know that and again, they try to drop the responsibility of any incidents that still have a chance of occurring:
The security and confidentiality of you information is very important to us, thus we take the appropriate security measures (including physical, electronic and procedural measures) to help safeguard your Personal Information from unauthorized access and disclosure. Please know that, despite our best efforts, no security measures are perfect or impenetrable.
Losx.xyz might get you involved in various advertising campaigns, fake reward claims, and surveys. If you are asked to enter some private information about yourself or provide some credential information in order to win some type of prize, DO NOT do that as you might easily end up a victim of a scam.
Losx.xyz – a browser hijacker that sets the default search provider, homepage, and new tab URL address bar to its own
Besides, you might end up with your sensitive information misused in a breach or put up for sale on the dark web if some dangerous criminals manage to track the data. Another potentially dangerous feature of Losx.xyz might be redirecting. Even though redirects are using to take the user to other sponsored websites, this might not be the only case.
Some browser hijackers, including Losx.xyz, might redirect you to infectious sources that can be filled with damaging content and malware such as trojans, ransomware, cryptocurrency mining threats, worms, etc. Denying to use the browser hijackers services is the best thing you can do to prevent potential danger.
Afterward, Losx.xyz removal is the next step you should take. Go to the end of this article where you will find step-by-step guidelines that might help you with the elimination process. However, you can always employ reputable software if you have any doubts about your virus removal skills.
When you opt to remove Losx.xyz from your computer system, make sure that you clean all infected locations, otherwise, the potentially unwanted program might return. Besides, try using a tool such as Reimage Reimage Cleaner for repairing corrupted entries that might have been left after the browser hijacker attack.
Keep in mind that if Losx.xyz bothers you only occasionally, you might have a chance of stopping its intruding advertising processes with the help of AdBlock[3] or similar ad-blocking tool. If this does not help, you can try finding and eliminating the hijacker’s domain in the Notifications list by completing the following steps:
- Open the browser that has been loading you with ads.
- Locate the three dots (alternatively, three lines or arrow sign) on your upper right.
- Open the menu and continue with Settings > Advanced.
- Afterward, you should find Notifications under the Site Settings option.
- Click Notifications and scroll through the list until you discover Losx.xyz or other suspicious domains.
- Remove all bogus URLs with the remove/disable/block button.
Most common distribution sources of browser hijackers
Potentially unwanted programs, including browser hijackers, are often found in bundles of third-party software. If you are a frequent visitor of websites such as download.com, cnet.com, softonic.com, and soft32.com, you might receive a PUP by downloading programs (e.g. APP, SDL) and services from there.
However, this mostly happens for users who do not pay attention to what type of downloading/installing mode they are using. If the Quick/Recommended configuration is set as the default one, there is a big chance that you might receive potentially suspicious content on your computer system unknowingly.
You should change the installation mode to a more reliable once such as Advanced or Custom. These options provide the user with an ability to track all incoming objects and opt-out products that come with a suspicious look. Besides, you should get all of your software only from original and trustworthy developers.
Continuously, browser-hijacking products might come inserted into vulnerable hyperlinks or advertisements and target users that do not mind Internet security. Regarding this fact, you should be careful while entering a third-party website as you might be loaded with suspicious content there.
You can remove Losx.xyz manually or automatically
Losx.xyz removal can be carried out by the user himself or by employing reputable security software. The first method has been described at the end of this article. There you will find instructions on how to clean your operating system and web browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, and Safari.
However, if you have run into a lack of time or just do not have enough elimination skills, you can use automatical computer tools for completing the entire task. After you remove Losx.xyz from your computer and web browsers, try downloading system repair software that might help you repair some damaged components on your machine.
Ensure that no content related to Losx.xyz virus is left on your computer system, otherwise, the browser hijacker might boot itself up within the next machine or browser startup process. According to experts from LesVirus.fr,[4] the PUP might place suspicious products in locations such as Task Manager and Windows Registry.
You may remove virus damage with a help of Reimage Reimage Cleaner . SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
