Shipment Trackers virus

Shipment Trackers – a potentially unwanted program that might hijack all installed web browsers

Shipment Trackers is a potentially unwanted application that shows sponsored links and changes web browser settings without permission

Shipment Trackers is a potentially unwanted application that shows sponsored links and changes web browser settings without permission

Shipment Trackers is a browser hijacker^[1] that provides a capability for users to track their parcels. However, since the app is typically distributed with the help of a deceptive technique called bundling, they rarely install it intentionally, and it enters a computer without their consent. Once inside, the app changes new tab functionality and homepage of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or another browser, alters homepage to search.hshipmenttracker.co and appends a customized search engine that redirects searches to Yahoo.

It is important to note that users can avoid Shipment Trackers hijack, as long as they don’t agree to keep the changes after the infiltration. However, they are actively encouraged to keep them and allow the hijacker to settle. Additionally, users are also asked to allow notifications from Shipment Trackers – this is another way to deliver users advertisements that might sometimes be unsafe. In the background, the PUP will gather a variety of information about users’ web browsing habits, deliver sponsored search results, and increase the number of ads users encounter while browsing the web.

Unsurprisingly, the homepage that is set by the Shipment Trackers virus is filled with links to the most popular carriers like UPS, FedEx, DHL, and others. Additionally, a “Track Package” functionality is added at the top of the screen, although its credibility is doubtful, to say the least. The homepage will also display ads, even if the ad-block is present.

This is typical functionality of a browser hijacker as it tries to lure users into believing that it is useful and exclusive, while in reality, Shipment Trackers ads are all that they are getting. The so-called functionality can be easily achieved by simply adding your favorite links to the web browser – either favorites or links that are displayed on the main page. In other words, Shipment Trackers does not deliver any functionality that is useful, it merely disguises itself of being useful by configuring web browsers in order to benefit the developers financially.

Whose who install Shipment Trackers and agree to keep the changes will notice that their searchers are redirected to a reputable Yahoo engine. However, the results are not genuine, as they are littered with sponsored links at the top. Users might not notice this behavior and visit affiliated pages, fundamentally changing the way they browse the internet.

Talking about the developers of Shipment Trackers, they are an affiliate with a Polarity Technologies Ltd – another company that is notorious when it comes to browser hijacker produce. It created such PUPs like Search Encrypt, Best File Converter, My Inbox Helper, and many more. All of these apps promise some type of allegedly useful functionality but actually provide a non-functional or poor service.

Shipment Trackers is unwanted app that is typically distributed via software bundle packages obtained from third party sources

Shipment Trackers is unwanted app that is typically distributed via software bundle packages obtained from third party sources

Another issue with Shipment Trackers is that it tries to abuse the well-known browser notification feature. As soon as users access the site, it asks to allow notifications to be shown. Those who agree will be displayed ads on their desktops whether they like it or not, and some of them might be click-bait, fake alerts, or other scam content. Because the feature is relatively new, people do not know how to remove Shipment Trackers notifications and are stuck with them. 

All in all, the so-called Shipment Trackers virus is not that dangerous as a trojan, ransomware, or other malware, but it is a security threat nonetheless. Besides, it tracks information about users, including geo-location, IP address, ISP, and much more. Thus, privacy issues are another reason for Shipment Trackers removal – check out the instructions below. If your machine is functioning sluggishly, scan it with a repair tool like Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego.

Avoid browser hijackers and intrusive ads they provide

While most users are aware of online dangers like software cracks^[2] or suspicious spam emails, they are less aware of simple tricks that are used by adware, browser hijackers, and other potentially unwanted programs. These apps are called so due to their shady marketing, distribution, and operation techniques. As mentioned above, the most commonly used tactic is software bundling, and it is typically applied to third-party sites that distribute freeware and shareware.

However, because a variety of methods are used in order to make users install optional components unintentionally, they often miss the entry point. Security experts from lesvirus.fr^[3] are warning users about the following tricks that are often used to deliver potentially unwanted programs:

• Before installing the app, check its reviews online on community boards, blogs, etc.;
• Ensure that the app provides Terms of Service and Privacy Policy;
• When prompted, always opt for Automatic/Advanced installation setting instead of Recommended/Quick one;
• Watch out for pre-ticked boxes, fine print text, misleading deals/offers, and misplaced buttons;
• Employ anti-malware software that has PUP detection feature – it could warn you about it prior to installation.

In some cases, users might install the unwanted app intentionally after being tricked about its functionality. Additionally, fake updates for Flash Player are also often used to deliver PUPs, so make sure you never installed these, as they can carry malware as well. If you are still using Flash, go to the official site and download the update from there.

Shipment Trackers redirects all search results to Yahoo, although they are not organic and filled with ads

Shipment Trackers redirects all search results to Yahoo, although they are not organic and filled with ads

Get rid of Shipment Trackers comprehensively

There are a few issues with Shipment Trackers removal. In some cases, users might have a potentially unwanted program installed on the system that should be terminated via the Control Panel/Applications folder, while other times, the hijack could be related to a browser extension. For this reason, you should first access the list of the installed apps on your computer and check if Shipment Trackers is present – terminate it by using instructions below.

In case the culprit is an extension, you can remove Shipment Trackers easily by uninstalling it or resetting the web browser. Nonetheless, this action is also recommended to those that had a program installed on the computer. This would also get rid of the annoying Shipment Tracker notifications, in case they were enabled upon entry of search.hshipmenttracker.co.

You may remove virus damage with a help of Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego. 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.