home

softonicdownloader_para_ares.exe

Softonic Downloader

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_para_ares.exe by Softonic International has been detected as a potentially unwanted program by 25 anti-malware scanners. The program is a setup application that uses the Softonic Downloader installer. According to AVG, this software downloads additional adware offers during setup.
Publisher:
Softonic   (signed by Softonic International)

Product:
Softonic Downloader

Version:
1.40.4.0

MD5:
df2d1dbe61a7f73d9536a26a6567f984

SHA-1:
75d82d4af0c2cfd46fd6ec9e8e890401afd3f85c

Scanner detections:
25 / 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:
4/26/2024 7:59:42 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.Softonic
7.1.1

AVG
Skodna.Downloader
2015.0.3321

Baidu Antivirus
Adware.Win32.SoftonicDownloader
4.0.3.141014

Bkav FE
HW32.CDB
1.3.0.4246

Comodo Security
Application.Win32.Agent.SOFE
17948

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.6706
9.0.1.0287

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader (variant)
8.10207

Fortinet FortiGate
Riskware/Softonicdownloader
10/14/2014

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

G Data
Win32.Adware.Softonic
14.10.24

IKARUS anti.virus
PUA.Softonic
t3scan.1.6.1.0

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.182.12959

Kaspersky
not-a-virus:Downloader.Win32.Agent
14.0.0.3101

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic.A
v2014.10.14.08

McAfee
Artemis!DF2D1DBE61A7
5600.6977

NANO AntiVirus
Trojan.Win32.Agent.dbhmbv
0.28.2.62151

Qihoo 360 Security
Win32/Virus.Downloader.cf7
1.0.0.1015

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic.CC
14.10.14.20

Rising Antivirus
PE:Malware.Obscure/Heur!1.9E03
23.00.65.141012

SUPERAntiSpyware
Adware.Softonic/Variant
10299

Total Defense
Win32/Tnega.NDWeQOD
37.0.11194

Trend Micro House Call
TROJ_GEN.F47V0314
7.2.287

Vba32 AntiVirus
Downloader.Agent
3.12.26.3

VIPRE Antivirus
Softonic Downloader
27498

Zillya! Antivirus
Downloader.Agent.Win32.198121
2.0.0.1929

File size:
380.3 KB (389,448 bytes)

Product version:
1.40.4.0

Copyright:
Copyright (C) 2014

Original file name:
SoftonicDownloader.exe

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
Softonic Downloader

Language:
Spanish

Common path:
C:\Documents and Settings\{user}\Local settings\temporary internet files\content.ie5\{random}\softonicdownloader_para_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:
2/10/2014 10:42:04 AM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:zWIYLGHVAf/BkrxLvH9F9WSDe+eLm1U8EAU8cLihEEwOxn3XEHJbinIcl1B158zL:KvLCAXqxBWge+QWU8O8VK+nEHJ4Ii1Bc

Entry address:
0x1527A0

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, F0, 4F, 00, 8D, BE, 00, 20, F0, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, 00, 0A, 15, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, 91, 37, 05, 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:
7.9642  (probably packed)

Code size:
340 KB (348,160 bytes)

The file softonicdownloader_para_ares.exe has been seen being distributed by the following 3 URLs.

http://sd-cf.softonic.com/21000/21824/.../SoftonicDownloader_para_ares.exe

http://dplus.softonic.com/ud-client/21000/.../SoftonicDownloader_para_ares.exe

http://ares.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)

Remove softonicdownloader_para_ares.exe - Powered by Reason Core Security
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.