Socopoco.com Removal Guide

Do you know what Socopoco.com is?

If you think that Socopoco.com is a legitimate search engine, then think again because it is a mere browser hijacker whose main objective is to replace your browser’s homepage address and show you commercial advertisements and links. The only problem is that these ads and links come from an unknown source, so they are untrustworthy. Therefore, we advise that you remove this hijacker from your computer as soon as the opportunity arises because it replaces your homepage address without your authorization and is prone to showing you shady promotional links and ads in its search results.

Our malware analysts have received information suggesting that this browser hijacker is compatible with Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox only. Therefore, since it might not be compatible with Microsoft Internet Explorer, it is possible that it is featured in a browser extension compatible with the two browsers mentioned earlier. Nevertheless, there is no reason why this hijacker should not be compatible with Internet Explorer if Socopoco.com is disseminated via malicious software installers that interact with the web browser directly and modify its settings.

In any case, if this browser hijacker manages to infect your browser, then it will replace its homepage address. If you use Socopoco.com to search the Internet, then this browser hijacker will redirect the search queries that you enter to Ozipcompression.com, a shady search engine known to featuring promotional links in its search results. The links it promotes are not labeled as promotions and look like regular search results. Therefore, the user has no way to determine whether a link is legitimate or a mere promotion. We believe that it is important to distinguish between regular search results and promotional links because the promoted links might redirect to infected websites, scam sites, phishing websites, and so on. Basically, browser hijackers can subject you to dangerous content that can jeopardize your computer’s security and your privacy.Socopoco.com Removal GuideSocopoco.com screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions

Speaking of privacy, it is important to note that, like most browser hijackers, Socopoco.com was configured to collect information about you. Our researchers say that this hijacker might come with a browser plug-in that can be used to inject this hijacker into your browser and collect information. This fact is indicated in Socopoco.com’s privacy policy “when you use Socopoco plugin, the searches you perform using our domains, the ways in which you use various features, and the pages you view on our domains.” The policy also states “we may collect information about page views, impressions and clicks, as well as similar web usage information on our domains.” This information is collected to advance their agenda because all the developers care about is making money. Our researchers say that this information is used to show region-specific ads and personalize the ad campaign of each unique user.

Now let us briefly discuss where Socopoco.com comes from. Our researchers say that it might be distributed via malicious software installers found of questionable websites that distribute free software after bundling it with additional programs to make more money for distribution and promotion. The installers may be configured to install Socopoco.com onto your computer without your knowledge or approval. Some installers might allow you to deselect it by opting for custom installation and unchecking its respective checkbox. Also, researchers say that this hijacker might come with a browser plug-in that is unknown at this time and it could also be distributed via malicious installers.

As you can see, Socopoco.com is far from a reliable search engine. Our researchers have classified it as a browser hijacker due to reports that it is distributed in a malicious manner and is set to replace your browser’s homepage address without your knowledge or approval. Its developers want you to use it to search the web so that they could make money off online advertising, but some of the promoted links can be of malicious nature. Therefore, we recommend that you remove this hijacker from your PC as soon as the opportunity arises.

How to replace your browser’s homepage

Mozilla Firefox

  1. Press Alt+T and click Options.
  2. Select General.
  3. In the Home Page box, enter a new search engine address.

Google Chrome

  1. Press Alt+F keys.
  2. Select Settings.
  3. Click Set pages and enter a new startup page address.
  4. Click OK.

Microsoft Internet Explorer

  1. Press Alt+T keys.
  2. Select Internet Options.
  3. Enter a new search engine address in the home page line.
  4. Click OK.

In non-techie terms:

Socopoco.com is a malicious search engine that researchers have classified as a browser hijacker due to the way it is disseminated. Research has shown that it might be distributed via software bundles that replace your browser’s homepage with this hijacker. As a result of using this hijacker, you can be subjected to malicious content. Therefore, we recommend that you remove Socopoco.com from your PC as soon as you can.