Switch2Search

Posted: July 29, 2016

Threat Metric

The Threat Meter is a malware assessment that SpywareRemove.com's research team is able to give every identifiable malware threat. Our Threat Meter includes several criteria based off of specific malware threats to value their severity, reach and volume. The Threat Meter is able to give you a numerical breakdown of each threat's initial Threat Level, Detection Count, Volume Count, Trend Path and Percentage Impact. The overall ranking of each threat in the Threat Meter is a basic breakdown of how all threats are ranked within our own extensive malware database. The scoring for each specific malware threat can be easily compared to other emerging threats to draw a contrast in its particular severity. The Threat Meter is a useful tool in the endeavor of seeking a solution to remove a threat or pursue additional analytical research for all types of computer users.

The following fields listed on the Threat Meter containing a specific value, are explained in detail below:

Threat Level: The threat level scale goes from 1 to 10 where 10 is the highest level of severity and 1 is the lowest level of severity. Each specific level is relative to the threat's consistent assessed behaviors collected from SpyHunter's risk assessment model.

Detection Count: The collective number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular malware threat. The detection count is calculated from infected PCs retrieved from diagnostic and scan log reports generated by SpyHunter.

Volume Count: Similar to the detection count, the Volume Count is specifically based on the number of confirmed and suspected threats infecting systems on a daily basis. High volume counts usually represent a popular threat but may or may not have infected a large number of systems. High detection count threats could lay dormant and have a low volume count. Criteria for Volume Count is relative to a daily detection count.

Trend Path: The Trend Path, utilizing an up arrow, down arrow or equal symbol, represents the level of recent movement of a particular threat. Up arrows represent an increase, down arrows represent a decline and the equal symbol represent no change to a threat's recent movement.

% Impact (Last 7 Days): This demonstrates a 7-day period change in the frequency of a malware threat infecting PCs. The percentage impact correlates directly to the current Trend Path to determine a rise or decline in the percentage.

Threat Level:	5/10
Infected PCs:	73

First Seen:	July 29, 2016
Last Seen:	February 15, 2022
OS(es) Affected:	Windows

Switch2Search is a questionable add-on that may expose you to annoying and potentially unsafe Web ads. The experts classify Switch2Search as adware. This dubious program may sneak in without your knowledge. Switch2Search doesn't enter without permission but may receive it in a misleading method. Switch2Search may travel in combination with other freeware such as media player, image viewers or toolbars. If you install cost-free applications via the 'Quick' menu, they may attempt to load additional programs like this adware beside themselves. Usually, the applications that rely on this tactic are highly questionable, and the users may not load them willingly. For this reason, you should use the 'Custom' menu and uncheck suspicious programs in advance. Switch2Search may compromise all of the present Web clients, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer. The adware may change both your homepage and default search provider automatically.

The new site you may encounter when going online is Search.switch2search.com. This platform may not be reliable, and you should not count on it when in need for information. Although its design may seem similar to the one of Google, it doesn't display accurate results. Instead, Search.switch2search.com may attempt to transfer you towards sponsored domains by including large amounts of ads. You should not expect to notice some label next to these sponsored links. They may seem just like regular results, so you may start going to promoted pages without suspecting. Switch2Search also may fill the sites with intrusive pop-ups, banners, videos, in-text ads and other commercial materials. Their loading may have a negative impact on the operating speed of your browsers. You should be very careful if you decide to click on these links because some of them may open corrupt sites that spread threats. It is advisable to scan your PC with reliable security software to delete Switch2Search.