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softonicdownloader_for_ask-com-toolbar.exe

Softonic Downloader

Softonic International

This is the Download Manager that bundles the original software from the Softonic.com web site along with additional offers, mostly ad-supported browser extensions and utilities. While the original product is most likely clean, the Softonic Downloader is considered a PUP. The application softonicdownloader_for_ask-com-toolbar.exe by Softonic International has been detected as adware by 15 anti-malware scanners. The program is a setup application that uses the Softonic Downloader installer. The file has been seen being downloaded from ask-com-toolbar.en.softonic.com. While running, it connects to the Internet address static.sd.softonic.com on port 80 using the HTTP protocol.
Publisher:
Softonic  (signed by Softonic International)

Product:
Softonic Downloader

Version:
1.41.3.6

MD5:
f845a60ac22aae079fab5887da8285af

SHA-1:
f39207ca8b2d7f9a582c4a0bb9f659f9bbdd3fc6

SHA-256:
1c66dd9d75bdcff02bb6e58a8e01ad447f8d46324f933e2782ea1f6596dfc1d4

Scanner detections:
15 / 68

Status:
Adware

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. This type of software is typically known as an adware co-bundler. The downloader does not modify the original software.

Description:
This is also known as bundleware, or downloadware, which is an downloader designed to simply deliver ad-supported offers in the setup routine of an otherwise legitimate software.

Analysis date:
8/4/2025 9:58:43 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.Softonic
7.1.1

Baidu Antivirus
Adware.Win32.SoftonicDownloader
4.0.3.14921

Comodo Security
Application.Win32.Agent.SOFE
17943

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.6706
9.0.1.0220

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader.G potentially unwanted application
8.7.0.302.0

F-Prot
W32/Softonic.C2.gen
v6.4.7.1.166

herdProtect (fuzzy)
variant of softonicdownloader_for_sony-virtual-remote-control.exe (Adware)
2014.10.6.20

IKARUS anti.virus
PUA.Softonic
t3scan.1.6.1.0

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.176.11896

Kaspersky
not-a-virus:Downloader.Win32.Agent
14.0.0.3437

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic.A
v2014.08.08.04

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic.g
14.8.8.14

Rising Antivirus
PE:Malware.Obscure/Heur!1.9E03
23.00.65.14919

SUPERAntiSpyware
Adware.Softonic/Variant
10347

VIPRE Antivirus
Softonic Downloader
28606

File size:
358.3 KB (366,936 bytes)

Product version:
1.41.3.6

Copyright:
Copyright (C) 2014

Original file name:
SoftonicDownloader.exe

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
Softonic Downloader

Common path:
C:\users\{user}\downloads\softonicdownloader_for_ask-com-toolbar.exe

Digital Signature
Signed by:
Softonic International

Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
7/3/2013 7:00:00 AM

Valid to:
10/3/2015 6:59:59 AM

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:
7/23/2014 3:05:01 PM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:6Kg6TO8SbclCHjOQ84kLfSJZcF5AkB+4TTeSzInQSKhJvDZ1COevCfJ+yzGtDTnJ:dqCKKQ8fSJl8HXEnQSKhJvDSPhnECWo3

Entry address:
0xF7070

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, 90, 4A, 00, 8D, BE, 00, 80, F5, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, 08, 59, 0F, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, 60, E0, 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...
 
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Code size:
316 KB (323,584 bytes)

The file softonicdownloader_for_ask-com-toolbar.exe has been seen being distributed by the following URL.

http://ask-com-toolbar.en.softonic.com/universaldownloader-launch

The executing file has been seen to make the following network communications in live environments.

TCP (HTTP):
Connects to static.sd.softonic.com  (46.28.209.70:80)

TCP (HTTP):
Connects to screenshots.com.sftcdn.net  (46.28.209.55:80)

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