Chromium is a legitimate and open-source web browser project
started by Google, to provide the source code for the proprietary Google Chrome
browser. Unfortunately some browser hijackers will install it’s own customized
Chromium browser to change the start page and search engine.
Browser hijackers are a type of malware created for the
purpose of modifying Internet browser settings without the user’s knowledge or
consent.
These browser hijacker are installed by the users, whether
that is knowingly or not. Often, this type of program is offered through
advertisements or bundled with other software, leaving the user puzzled where
this software came from.
When these browser hijacker are installed on a PC, common
symptoms include:
- The Chromium browser is installed on the PC
- Changing the web browser’s default homepage
- Changing the browser’s search provider and built-in search box
- Ability to modify the ‘new tab’ functionality to launch the modified search portal page
