Is Squathweenic dangerous?
The nature of some of the displayed ads is among the major risks of having a Browser Hijacker on your computer. In addition to being extremely invasive, sometimes the promotional messages the Hijacker displays may expose you to security hazards. Although it is still rather rare, some of the ads could potentially redirect you to malicious websites full of viruses of all kinds, including the infamous Trojans and Ransomware. That being said, the distinction between a Browser Hijacker such as Squathweenic, Wigglewurm or Just Cool Captcha and the actual viruses is still very clear. These two types of software aren't the same. As a matter of fact, some browser hijackers are considered completely legitimate. A Ransomware or a Trojan-based virus, however, is a tool for cybercrimes, and can damage your system and data in different ways. Yet, there is another thing that typically raises concerns among most people who have a Browser Hijacker in their systems. This is the fact that programs like Squathweenic tend to monitor the users' web activity. Of course, such pieces of software can't hack your online banking accounts, or acquire your passwords like a Trojan, or encrypt your information like a Ransomware, but they can keep track of your search queries, browsing history, favorite sites, and other information related to your web surfing. The collected data may be used for various marketing purposes, or can be sold to third parties.