New virus Win32:Softonic-H

[boydralp]

There is a new virus, Win32:Softonic-H.  It is attached to Softonic's downloader software.  Softonic is a company that downloads software guaranteed virus free.  But it seems it has been compromised.  Does anyone know what this virus does and how dangerous it is?

[Lisandro]

Thanks for sharing.
Another free download site that is involved in malware sharing.
It's a shame.
I never recommended Softonic anyway.

[polonus]

It is not malware as such but a so-called PUP detection. A possibly unwanted program or so-called riskware is a program that you have not willfully installed yourself (came with malware) or are not fully aware of the risks involved. In that case it should be removed. See: https://www.virustotal.com/file/975363464609146eaf5f582ef910c29cecfff8e0e88c0e7fabd21cce38edc5b2/analysis/
Avast flags this PUP as Win32:Softonic-H [PUP]. So it is your decision to keep the software or not.
Some also consider the downloader to contain adware,

polonus

[iroc9555]

CNet-downloads is also using a downloader that is not well seen around security communities:

http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?topic=11649.0

Still good, clean sites for downloads, besides the vendor's site of course:

http://www.filehippo.com/

http://www.majorgeeks.com/

http://www.filehorse.com/

Regards.

[polonus]

Hi iroc9555,

Yes more and more users are becoming aware of the crapware additions, it is becoming a general scheme.
Majorgeeks is a great source for vendor's free malware cleansing tools without the nagscreens and other additional adware,

polonus