According to the JokeVault New Tab’s End User License Agreement, the extension should change your homepage or new tab page with its search engine. At first, JokeVault New Tab’s search engine looks normal compared to the others, but the fact that it displays modified search results does not make it seem reliable. On the contrary, you should be aware that the additional advertisements provided in the search results could come from potentially harmful third-party web pages. Naturally, we would recommend you to get rid of the extension before you land on a site that might infect your computer. There are other risks that you must consider too, so should continue reading and decide what to do with the application. If you choose to erase it, you should take a look at the removal guide below the article.
Even though the JokeVault New Tab’s creators do not wish any harm to their users, we cannot ignore the fact that it provides questionable content. As a result, the application was classified as a potentially unwanted application (PUP). Probably, the main goal of this software is to collect particular data for marketing purposes. The application’s Privacy Policy states that “by using the services, you are consenting to grant TheJokeVault™ permission to collect your URLs and search data, including search queries that may contain personally identifiable information, share them with third parties, and use search-related cookies.” In other words, the PUP should not collect or share your personal data if you do not type in the search box. However, if you go to a third-party site, the PUP’s Privacy Policy will not apply to it.
The main problem is the modified search results as they provide links to third-party sites. These sites could gather your private information or promote other potentially harmful software, such as adware, browser hijackers, other PUPs, and so on. Nevertheless, security specialists are also worried that by installing the software, users allow the application to “automatically download and install updates from TheJokeVault from time to time.” Thus, the PUP could download new versions that might have additional unwanted features. It seems to us that it is not wise to allow such an untrustworthy application to have so much control over your system; you should be the one who decides if you need upgrades, additional programs, and so on.
This PUP might travel with bundled applications, but if you see any suspicious ads on your browser, you may have adware on your system. Our specialists say that the chances of visiting the PUP’s official site are quite small unless you know its exact address. Thus, it is more believable that some adware application might have promoted JokeVault New Tab. Since the program offers a search engine and some daily jokes, it might look attractive to users.
It would be safer to use a more trustworthy search engine, but you have to decide on your own what is best for your system. The application is compatible with Google Chrome, but it might work on the Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox or other browsers. Hence, if you want to get rid of the application, you will have to remove the extension from the affected browser. Users who do not know how to manage extensions on their browser should take a look at the instructions provided below. In addition to that, you could download a security tool and delete the PUP automatically with a few mouse clicks. Such tool would also eliminate any other threats that could be on your system too.
Google Chrome
Mozilla Firefox
Internet Explorer