Modification of browser settings is done without users' knowledge to generally force hits on a particular website. | Imagine you're trying to download a free screensaver or game and later find out that the download came bundled with a malicious programme that's trying to 'hijack' your browser settings. Well, you're not alone, in fact, it's an issue that's continuing to grow at an alarming rate. So much so that hijacking of browser settings leads the list of user complaints made to search engine giant Google. Hijacking has existed for quite some time now. To curb the same, Google added a 'reset browser settings' button to Chrome's settings page in October 2013. However, hijacking of browser settings ceases to reduce. "Despite this, settings hijacking remains our number one user complaint." said Google. Hijacking includes a modification of the settings without users' knowledge directed to force hits on a particular site increasing its revenue as a result. Google's Chrome will now be prompting Windows users whose settings might have changed if they like to restore their browser settings back to factory default. The move will ensure the reset option reaches everyone who migght require it, thereby detecting and fixing hijacked browser settings more efficiently. "If you've been affected by settings hijacking and would like to restore your settings, just click 'Reset' on the prompt below when it appears," Google explained. However, some hijackers might leave behind processes that undermine user control of settings. In that case, the hijacking persists after a short period. Users can find additional help uninstalling such programmes in the Chrome help forum to counter the same. Shivam Kotwalia, CodeKill |
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