home

softonicdownloader_for_windows-live-messenger.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. While the original product is most likely clean, the Softonic Downloader is considered a PUP. The application softonicdownloader_for_windows-live-messenger.exe by Softonic International has been detected as a potentially unwanted program by 26 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:
1.41.6.8

MD5:
9e7dd252e3ec8fa32e66dc1f37c30df5

SHA-1:
3b5a8f29eb6470bf2d708fc1b45869278e0437b8

SHA-256:
eab708986afd4e5a52a0ef3d665b8670760d13a41bbaac82e7d42d03cfebf64f

Scanner detections:
26 / 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:
4/18/2024 9:35:05 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.Softonic
7.1.1

AhnLab V3 Security
PUP/Win32.SoftPulse
2015.02.06

Avira AntiVirus
SPR/Dldr.Agent.bxib.9
7.11.175.32

AVG
Adware AdInstaller.Softonic
2016.0.2881

Baidu Antivirus
PUA.Win32.SoftonicDownloader
4.0.3.151228

Bkav FE
W32.HfsAdware
1.3.0.6379

Comodo Security
Application.Win32.SoftonicDownloader.A
21410

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.10852
9.0.1.0362

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader.G potentially unwanted (variant)
9.11320

Fortinet FortiGate
Riskware/Softonicdownloader
12/28/2015

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

F-Secure
Adware.SwiftBrowse.Y
11.2015-28-12_2

G Data
Win32.Adware.Softonic
15.12.25

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.204.16076

Kaspersky
not-a-virus:Downloader.Win32.Agent
14.0.0.902

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic
v2015.12.28.12

McAfee
Program.Artemis!4DA30288587B
5600.6537

NANO AntiVirus
Trojan.Win32.Agent.dgyyeb
0.30.0.296

Panda Antivirus
Trj/Chgt.G
15.12.28.12

Qihoo 360 Security
Win32/Virus.Downloader.cf7
1.0.0.1015

Quick Heal
PUA.Softonicin.Gen
12.15.14.00

Reason Heuristics
PUP.Softonic.Bundler (M)
15.12.28.12

Total Defense
Win32/Tnega.NdMHFb
37.0.11494

Vba32 AntiVirus
Downloader.Agent
3.12.26.3

VIPRE Antivirus
Threat.4150696
40552

Zillya! Antivirus
Downloader.Agent.Win32.227114
2.0.0.2197

File size:
358.8 KB (367,456 bytes)

Product version:
1.41.6.8

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_windows-live-messenger.exe

Digital Signature
Signed by:
Softonic International

Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
7/2/2013 5:00:00 PM

Valid to:
10/2/2015 4:59:59 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:
9/15/2014 10:59:57 AM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:/twdKEWZ4ZMllMF8huH6uGz0R0JIuJJ2Nn0OXOWJFS8aoWmCB926EwZpoS9akK04:wKEWaWXCH6uGwRdZZJraoWmK922ZpoSY

Entry address:
0xF7260

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, 52, E2, 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:
7.9603  (probably packed)

Code size:
316 KB (323,584 bytes)

The file softonicdownloader_for_windows-live-messenger.exe has been seen being distributed by the following URL.

http://windows-live-messenger.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.