Wild Nature Browser Hijacker

A recent incident revealed that users installing a seemingly harmless “Wild Nature” extension found their homepage, new tab, and default search engine forcibly redirected to searching.wildnaturetab.com—a fake search engine that covertly funnels to Yahoo and other sites. Beyond the annoyance, it surreptitiously gathers browsing data and resists removal.

Threat Overview

Category: Browser Hijacker – a piece of software that modifies browser settings without permission
Target: Default homepage, new tab page, search engine settings

Key Details

Threat Type: Wild Nature

Domains: searching.wildnaturetab.com

Detection Names: N/A

Symptoms: Homepage/new-tab/search redirected; “Wild Nature” extension installed

Damage: Privacy invasion; redirects to untrustworthy sites; unwanted ads; slow browsing

Distribution Methods: Bundled installers, deceptive ads, fake Flash updates

Severity: Medium-High

Removal Tool: SpyHunter

In-Depth Analysis

Infection Vector

Typically bundled inside freeware installers or triggered by deceptive ads/pop-ups. Users inadvertently agree to add the extension during installation.

Behavioral Profile

• Installs silently in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari.
• Alters homepage, new tab, and search settings to searching.wildnaturetab.com, redirecting queries to Yahoo.
• Tracks browsing activity, search queries, visited URLs, and more, sharing data with potential advertisers or third parties.
• Uses persistence tactics to reinstate itself after removal attempts.

Risk Assessment

• Privacy: Surveillance of browsing habits and personal data leads to tracking and profiling.
• Security: Redirects can funnel users to scam sites, fake downloads, and phishing pages.
• Usability: Browser slows down, experiences frequent pop-ups and tab injections.
• Real-world example: Users report difficulty restoring default settings even after extension removal instructions.

Option 1: Manual Browser Hijacker Removal

Step 1: Uninstall Suspicious Software

For Windows:

1. Press Windows + R, type appwiz.cpl, and press Enter.
2. Look for recently installed or unknown software.
3. Select the suspicious program and click Uninstall.
4. Follow the uninstaller’s prompts.

For Mac:

1. Open Finder > Applications.
2. Locate any unfamiliar apps you didn’t intentionally install.
3. Drag them to the Trash.
4. Right-click the Trash and select Empty Trash.

Step 2: Reset Each Web Browser Affected

Google Chrome:

1. Go to chrome://settings/reset.
2. Click Restore settings to their original defaults > Reset settings.
3. Then, visit chrome://extensions and remove any suspicious add-ons.
4. Change your search engine:
   Settings > Search Engine > Manage search engines — remove unwanted entries and set a trusted one like Google.

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Click the menu icon (three lines) > Help > More Troubleshooting Information.
2. Click Refresh Firefox.
3. After reset, check Add-ons and Themes and remove unwanted extensions.
4. Navigate to Settings > Home/Search and revert changes to your preferred provider.

Microsoft Edge:

1. Click menu (three dots) > Settings > Reset Settings > Restore settings to their default values.
2. Open edge://extensions and remove any unfamiliar plugins.
3. Reconfigure your homepage and search engine if needed.

Safari (Mac Only):

1. Open Safari > Click Safari in the top menu > Clear History (select All History).
2. Go to Preferences > Extensions, remove unknown entries.
3. Under General, set your homepage.
4. Under Search, revert to your preferred search provider.

Step 3: Check and Clean Your Hosts File

On Windows:

1. Open Notepad as Administrator.
2. Go to:
   C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
3. Look for unknown IPs or domains — remove them.
4. Save changes and reboot.

On Mac:

1. Open Terminal.
2. Run: sudo nano /etc/hosts
3. Identify and remove hijacker entries.
4. Press Control + O to save and Control + X to exit.

Option 2: Automatic Removal Using SpyHunter

If you want a faster and safer solution — especially if the hijacker reinstalls after manual removal — use SpyHunter, a trusted anti-malware tool.

Step 1: Download SpyHunter

Visit the official download page: Download SpyHunter

Need help with the installation? Follow this page: SpyHunter Download Instructions

Step 2: Install and Launch the Program

1. Run the installer and follow the steps for your OS.
2. Open SpyHunter after installation.

Step 3: Perform a Full System Scan

1. Click Start Scan Now.
2. Wait while SpyHunter analyzes your computer for browser hijackers, malware, and other PUPs.
3. Once the scan completes, click Fix Threats to eliminate them.

Step 4: Reboot and Recheck Your Browser

After cleaning, restart your device. Open your browser and check if your homepage and search settings are restored. If not, perform a quick browser reset using the manual steps above.

How to Prevent Future Infections

• Avoid downloading freeware from third-party sites.
• Use custom/advanced installation and deselect optional offers.
• Keep your browser and OS updated.
• Regularly scan your system with SpyHunter for proactive defense.
• Don’t click strange pop-ups or redirect links from unknown sources.

Conclusion

Wild Nature disguises itself as a harmless add-on, yet it invades privacy, degrades browser performance, and redirects searches to dubious sites. Manual removal requires extension deletion, browser reset, and permission cleanup. A reliable anti-malware tool like SpyHunter simplifies cleanup—so don’t delay action after detecting hijacking.