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softonicdownloader_for_ares.exe

Application Installer

Softonic International

This is the Download Manager localized to Spanish that bundles the original software from the Softonic.com web site along with additional offers, mostly ad-supported browser extensions and utilities. The bundled software (which is actually not included in this file but downloaded) is most likely clean, the downloader is ad-supported. The application softonicdownloader_for_ares.exe by Softonic International has been detected as a potentially unwanted program by 20 anti-malware scanners. The program is a setup application that uses the Softonic Downloader installer. This program installs potentially unwanted software on your PC at the same time as the software you are trying to install, without adequate consent.
Publisher:
Softonic International  (signed and verified)

Product:
Application Installer

Version:
1.41.7.7

MD5:
b28f6a1bb262e54fb4beafbfeac6f3cf

SHA-1:
a01bb30ec356745271353221170f4e34e724186c

SHA-256:
400eb4522b2106e6edf8ec6f1aba2657269e588187f3e9036beb62e3017a7208

Scanner detections:
20 / 68

Status:
Potentially unwanted

Explanation:
Softonic Downloader is a download and install manager that provides users to the Softonic web site the ability to download 3rd-party software. During the installation the installer will show sponsored offers such as adware type toolbars and web browser extensions as well as other potentially unwanted applications. The downloader does not modify the original software.

Description:
This 'download manager' is also considered bundleware, a utility designed to download software (possibly legitimate or opensource) and bundle it with a number of optional offers including ad-supported utilities, toolbars, shopping comparison tools and browser extensions.

Analysis date:
4/27/2024 12:14:00 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.Softonic
7.1.1

Avira AntiVirus
SPR/Dldr.Agent.bxib.12
7.11.176.130

AVG
Adware AdInstaller.Softonic
2016.0.2919

Baidu Antivirus
Hacktool.Win32.Downloader
4.0.3.151120

Comodo Security
Application.Win32.SoftonicDownloader.A
21376

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.8855
9.0.1.0324

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader.G potentially unwanted application
9.7.0.302.0

F-Prot
W32/S-20d4b341
v6.4.7.1.166

F-Secure
Riskware.Application.Bundler.Outbrowse
11.2015-20-11_6

G Data
Win32.Adware.Softonic
15.11.24

IKARUS anti.virus
PUA.SoftSonicDownloader
t3scan.1.7.8.0

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.184.13718

Kaspersky
not-a-virus:Downloader.Win32.Agent
14.0.0.1092

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic
v2015.11.20.01

NANO AntiVirus
Trojan.Win32.Agent.dhiitm
0.28.6.62995

Qihoo 360 Security
Win32/Virus.Downloader.cf7
1.0.0.1015

Reason Heuristics
PUP.Softonic.Bundler (M)
15.11.20.13

Vba32 AntiVirus
Downloader.Agent
3.12.26.3

VIPRE Antivirus
Softonic Downloader
34010

Zillya! Antivirus
Downloader.Agent.Win32.227903
2.0.0.1975

File size:
361.8 KB (370,496 bytes)

Product version:
1.41.7.7

Copyright:
Copyright (C) 2014

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
Softonic Downloader

Language:
Spanish (Spain, International Sort)

Common path:
C:\users\{user}\downloads\softonicdownloader_for_ares.exe

Digital Signature
Signed by:
Softonic International

Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
7/2/2013 7:00:00 PM

Valid to:
10/2/2015 6:59:59 PM

Subject:
CN=Softonic International, OU=Digital ID Class 3 - Microsoft Software Validation v2, O=Softonic International, L=Barcelona, S=Barcelona, C=ES

Issuer:
CN=VeriSign Class 3 Code Signing 2010 CA, OU=Terms of use at https://www.verisign.com/rpa (c)10, OU=VeriSign Trust Network, O="VeriSign, Inc.", C=US

Serial number:
67C1FF44C765ABDA26027A6DCA52BA11

File PE Metadata
Compilation timestamp:
10/15/2014 2:33:36 AM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:IorRla7B4oIlZR/zqTXtep6PxmS59mpd+GnB9az7Yn8WyDXWN0g+QVmyQoS7pa0Y:S78ZRrY+65mrd72A8nDXy+QTQoS7pw86

Entry address:
0xFAF50

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, C0, 4A, 00, 8D, BE, 00, 50, F5, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, 3E, 89, 0F, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, 4D, EF, 04, 00, 56, 83, C3, 04, 53, 50, C7, 03, 03, 00, 02, 00, 90, 90, 90, 90, 90, 55, 57, 56, 53, 83, EC, 7C, 8B, 94, 24, 90, 00, 00, 00, C7, 44, 24, 74, 00, 00, 00, 00, C6, 44, 24, 73, 00, 8B, AC, 24, 9C, 00, 00, 00, 8D, 42, 04, 89, 44, 24, 78, B8, 01, 00, 00, 00, 0F, B6, 4A, 02, 89, C3, D3, E3, 89, D9, 49, 89, 4C, 24, 6C, 0F, B6, 4A...
 
[+]

Entropy:
7.9627  (probably packed)

Code size:
320 KB (327,680 bytes)

The file softonicdownloader_for_ares.exe has been seen being distributed by the following URL.

http://ares.en.softonic.com/universaldownloader-launch

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