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softonicdownloader_for_microsoft-security-essentials.exe

Application Setup

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_microsoft-security-essentials.exe by Softonic International has been detected as a potentially unwanted program by 11 anti-malware scanners. The program is a setup application that uses the Softonic Downloader installer.
Publisher:
Softonic International  (signed and verified)

Product:
Application Setup

Version:
1.41.4.3

MD5:
780bbc3f0d74c923b86352564af5a41b

SHA-1:
e94e6d73854deeab9069046a50cec491c355b789

SHA-256:
5efd5a6540e8958ad62214fb0c949bb90c98612b5431fc1b9b87de67726ecb2d

Scanner detections:
11 / 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. 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:
5/16/2024 5:31:15 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.Downloader
7.1.1

AVG
Adware BundleApp_r.AS
2014.0.4015

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.8422
9.0.1.05190

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader.G potentially unwanted application
7.0.302.0

G Data
Win32.Adware.Softonic
14.9.24

IKARUS anti.virus
PUA.SoftSonicDownloader
t3scan.1.7.5.0

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.183.13286

Kaspersky
not-a-virus:Downloader.Win32.Agent
15.0.0.494

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic
v2014.09.07.09

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic.u
14.9.7.18

VIPRE Antivirus
Threat.4786139
32210

File size:
359.2 KB (367,792 bytes)

Product version:
1.41.4.3

Copyright:
Copyright (C) 2014

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
Softonic Downloader

Common path:
C:\users\thomas\softonicdownloader_for_microsoft-security-essentials.exe

Digital Signature
Signed by:
Softonic International

Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

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

Valid to:
10/3/2015 2:59:59 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:
8/25/2014 6:55:30 PM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:an7zi9W6hMux6qLm8+DJWtNQvBpaVmsUKVaQ6RRe/fNOk9HEEVZoStCVWB2Ia9:a7zio6doAmBDJLppa4KVGRROFbpoStCJ

Entry address:
0xF7350

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, 27, 59, 0F, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, 3F, E3, 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_microsoft-security-essentials.exe has been seen being distributed by the following URL.

http://microsoft-security-essentials.el.softonic.com/.../3tjQyeLV3cjDp-Hw3sCixsiGa5-flZ-Ho6OkmJo=

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