A spike in reports shows users overwhelmed by pop-up notifications—often lewd, deceptive, or dangerous—triggered after visiting shady sites. One culprit: Tisfas.co.in. In a recent case, a small business owner noticed endless alerts touting miracle cures and fake virus warnings, even with every tab closed. What began as an innocent video-streaming search spiraled into an endless stream of intrusive browser ads.
Threat Overview
Tisfas.co.in falls under the browser hijacker and push-notification scam category. These campaigns exploit the browser’s “allow notifications” feature, then weaponize it—spamming the user with unwanted ads, phishing attempts, and links to malware. This threat is particularly insidious: the barrage of pop-ups can continue even after the original website is closed. Users on both desktop and mobile are at risk.
In-Depth Analysis
Infection Vector
Tisfas.co.in leverages several common vectors:
- Malvertising and redirects: Clicking on ads or links from dubious streaming, torrent, or adult sites often leads directly to Tisfas.co.in or similar pages.
- Fake “Allow” prompts: The site presents a fake CAPTCHA, video player, or “security check,” demanding users click “Allow” to proceed. In reality, this grants permission to send browser notifications.
- Bundled adware: Freeware and pirated software installers may quietly adjust browser settings, pre-approving malicious domains for notifications.
Behavioral Profile
Once permissions are granted, Tisfas.co.in acts swiftly:
- Floods the user with push notifications, often peddling fake tech support, adult sites, crypto scams, or malware-laced downloads.
- Bypasses adblockers by using browser-level notifications rather than webpage popups.
- Persists across sessions—even if the original tab is closed or the browser is restarted, the notifications continue.
- Potentially installs unwanted browser extensions or changes browser settings if paired with adware.
- Tracks browsing behavior via embedded scripts, exposing users to profiling and further attacks.
Risk Assessment
- Privacy: Attackers harvest click and device data for targeted scams.
- Security: One errant click can lead to credential phishing, ransomware, or trojan downloads.
- Business impact: A single infected workstation can be a gateway for network-wide adware or worse.
- Notable incidents: During the 2023 browser notification scam surge, Tisfas.co.in and similar domains were implicated in thousands of phishing and credential theft campaigns.
- Severity: Moderate to high. While not always directly deploying malware, Tisfas.co.in exposes users to constant risk and disrupts normal device usage.
Manual Removal Guide for Browser Hijackers
Step 1: Uninstall Suspicious Programs (Windows & Mac)
Before resetting your browser, remove any software that may have installed the hijacker.
Windows (10, 11, 8, 7)
- Press
Win + R
, typeappwiz.cpl
, and hit Enter. - Find Unwanted Applications
- Look for recently installed programs that seem suspicious (e.g., “EasySearch,” “QuickFind,” “Search Manager”).
- Uninstall
- Click on the suspicious program > Select Uninstall > Follow on-screen instructions.
Mac (macOS Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave, etc.)
- Open Finder and go to Applications.
- Look for unknown or unwanted programs.
- Drag any suspicious apps to the Trash and empty the Trash.
Step 2: Remove Browser Hijacker from Web Browsers
Google Chrome
- Reset Chrome to Default Settings
- Open Chrome > Click ⋮ Menu (top-right corner) > Settings.
- Scroll down and select Reset settings > Click Restore settings to original defaults > Confirm.
- Remove Suspicious Extensions
- Open chrome://extensions/ and remove unknown extensions.
- Change Default Search Engine & Homepage
- Go to Settings > Search engine > Select Google or another trusted search engine.
- Under On Startup, remove any unwanted URLs.
Mozilla Firefox
- Reset Firefox
- Click the Menu (☰) > Select Help > Click More Troubleshooting Information > Refresh Firefox.
- Remove Unknown Extensions
- Open Add-ons Manager (
Ctrl + Shift + A
) > Remove any suspicious extensions.
- Open Add-ons Manager (
- Change Search Engine & Homepage
- Open Settings > Search > Choose Google or another safe search engine.
Microsoft Edge
- Reset Edge
- Click ⋮ Menu > Settings > Reset settings > Restore to default values.
- Remove Unwanted Extensions
- Open edge://extensions/ and remove any unfamiliar extensions.
Safari (Mac Only)
- Reset Safari & Clear Data
- Open Safari > Click Safari (top-left menu) > Select Clear History.
- Go to Preferences > Privacy > Click Manage Website Data > Remove All.
- Delete Suspicious Extensions
- Open Safari > Preferences > Extensions > Remove anything unfamiliar.
- Change Homepage & Search Engine
- Open Preferences > General > Change your homepage to a trusted site.
- In Search, set your search engine to Google or a preferred option.
Step 3: Check for Unauthorized System Changes
Windows – Check the Hosts File
- Open Notepad as Administrator (
Win + S
, type Notepad, right-click, Run as Administrator). - Click File > Open and navigate to:makefileCopyEdit
C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
- If you see unknown IPs or URLs at the bottom, remove them.
- Save changes and restart your computer.
Mac – Check the Hosts File
- Open Terminal (
Command + Space
, typeTerminal
). - Type:bashCopyEdit
sudo nano /etc/hosts
- Look for suspicious entries and delete them.
- Press
Ctrl + X
, thenY
, thenEnter
to save.
Automatic Removal Using SpyHunter (Windows & Mac)
For those who prefer a quick, hassle-free removal process, using SpyHunter is highly recommended.
Step 1: Download SpyHunter
Click here to download SpyHunter: Download SpyHunter
Step 2: Install & Run SpyHunter
- Follow the instructions on the SpyHunter Download Page to install the software.
- Open SpyHunter and run a full system scan.
Step 3: Remove Browser Hijackers
- SpyHunter will detect all malware and potentially unwanted programs.
- Click Fix Threats to remove the detected hijacker.
- Restart your device to complete the cleanup process.
Step 4: Reset Browser Settings (If Necessary)
Even after SpyHunter removes the hijacker, you may need to reset your browser settings manually (refer to browser-specific instructions above).
Preventing Future Browser Hijacker Infections
- Be cautious when installing free software – opt for Custom Installation to avoid bundled malware.
- Avoid clicking on suspicious ads or pop-ups – they often distribute browser hijackers.
- Keep your operating system and software updated – outdated programs are more vulnerable to infections.
- Use a trusted anti-malware tool like SpyHunter to provide real-time protection against threats.
Sample Push Notification Artifact
Example notification from Tisfas.co.in:
pgsqlCopyEditYour PC is infected! Click here to download antivirus software and remove all threats.
or
cssCopyEditCongratulations! You’ve won a new iPhone. Click to claim now.
Conclusion
Tisfas.co.in exploits browser features meant for convenience, turning them into a source of endless annoyance and risk. Quick action—revoking notification permissions, removing unwanted software, and scanning for adware—restores control. Early intervention prevents exposure to phishing, malware, and fraud. For ongoing safety, block shady notifications at the source and bolster browser defenses with proven security tools.