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softonicdownloader_for_microsoft-security-essentials.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_microsoft-security-essentials.exe by Softonic International has been detected as a potentially unwanted program by 12 anti-malware scanners. The program is a setup application that uses the Softonic Downloader installer.
Publisher:
Softonic International  (signed and verified)

Product:
Application Installer

Version:
1.41.8.1

MD5:
c8a7156d332a5d15d253fee0b3e568c6

SHA-1:
f40e258639b321dfe1edfea11389bc6eb0c21780

SHA-256:
b944f0da918fff2163adb92f97d77a6b1b9df3fb2f5eb88232db6e9267130845

Scanner detections:
12 / 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 is an installer which may bundle legitimate applications with offers for additional 3rd-party applications that may be unwanted by the user. While the installer contains an 'opt-out' feature this is not set be defult and is usually overlooked.

Analysis date:
5/10/2024 4:28:43 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.Softonic
7.1.1

AVG
BundleApp_r
2015.0.3298

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.8646
9.0.1.0310

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader.G potentially unwanted application
7.0.302.0

G Data
Win32.Adware.Softonic
14.11.24

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.183.13642

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

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic
v2014.11.06.03

McAfee
Artemis!61E9349A656A
5600.6954

NANO AntiVirus
Trojan.Win32.Agent.dfyzyn
0.28.2.62483

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic.u
14.11.6.15

VIPRE Antivirus
Softonic Downloader
33862

File size:
362.4 KB (371,064 bytes)

Product version:
1.41.8.1

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_microsoft-security-essentials.exe

Digital Signature
Signed by:
Softonic International

Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
7/3/2013 5:00:00 AM

Valid to:
10/3/2015 4:59:59 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:
11/5/2014 6:57:49 PM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:xpTXJ+9fqk0WeLCvPBIS4bd8N5GnzTZXdlZLWcI0aR46FllDsbBkDaYRLX8ToSs+:b7Sz/GnL00aR46FllDoBqf76oSsy8s

Entry address:
0xFA080

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, B0, 4A, 00, 8D, BE, 00, 60, 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, 72, F0, 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...
 
[+]

Code size:
320 KB (327,680 bytes)

The file softonicdownloader_for_microsoft-security-essentials.exe has been seen being distributed by the following URL.

http://microsoft-security-essentials-64bit.en.softonic.com/universaldownloader-launch

herdProtect is a second line of defense malware removal platform powered by 68 anti-malware engines in the cloud. Since no single anti-malware program is perfect 100% of the time, herdProtect utilizes a 'herd' of multiple engines to guarantee the widest coverage and the earliest possible detection.