Free Web browser Browsezilla may be using Web surfers to increase traffic to online porn sites without users’ knowledge, according to antivirus vendor Panda Software SL. Panda Software, established in 1990, creates and develops technologies, products, and services that keep IT resources free from viruses.
The company on Friday released information that the Browsezilla application, similar in appearance to the widely-used Mozilla browser, secretly infects users’ computers with the adware PicsPlace. This adware, which activates whenever a user starts up the infected PC, opens a series of adult Web pages—although they are not visible to the user—a tactic aimed at falsely increasing visits to these pages.
Creators of Browsezilla claim the browser offers safer Internet use than other browsers, as it supposedly does not store the history of pages visited or favorites’ lists. To encourage users to install it, the official page offers an Internet search service. However, the search always results in a page advising that it is necessary to download the browser in order to obtain the requested information.
Panda Software released the warning after noticing that Browsezilla was becoming more widely used. The browser is being used in a number of countries, but it appears to be most popular in Italy, says J.J. Schoch, director of marketing for Panda.
Schoch said this is the first browser he has seen that downloads this type of click-generating software. The adware was detected by a virus-detecting program created by Panda Software.
Panda Software reps believe the prime objective of malware creators is to receive some kind of economic return through their action. The company says a typical technique for distributing malware creations is to offer some kind of free utility, in this case a Web browser, then exploit the trust of users and take some kind of malicious action from which they can profit, says Luis Corrons, director of the Panda labs.
“It is impossible to know at first glance if a program, which is seemingly trustworthy and is offered on numerous websites, is safe, and for this reason users are advised to have an up-to-date security solution that prevents the damaging effects that these apparently inoffensive programs could cause,” says Corrons.
The Browsezilla team called Panda’s allegations “unsubstantiated” in a statement posted on the Browsezilla website.
