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APNNativeMsgHost.exe

APN Native Messaging Host

APN LLC

This is a component of the Ask.com toolbar, a browser extension that will modify the default web browser's search provider, home page and various other settings. The application APNNativeMsgHost.exe by APN has been detected as a potentially unwanted program by 1 anti-malware scanner with very strong indications that the file is a potential threat. Additionally, the file is typically installed by a number of programs including Shopping App by Ask by APN, LLC and Media Search App by Ask by APN, LLC, both potentially unwanted software.
Publisher:
APN LLC.  (signed by APN LLC)

Product:
APN Native Messaging Host

Version:
2.0.0.3029

MD5:
bbfe981fc6626b5b5610975eaee7d218

SHA-1:
b151c172c9237354bce693c8b7a63e4f47406874

SHA-256:
df2927bede3e5dfba9ec132796fda77e520ed6dad241654d5762d791044dfe3c

Scanner detections:
1 / 68

Status:
Potentially unwanted

Note:
Our current pool of anti-malware engines have not currently detected this file, however based on our own detection heuristics we feel that this file is unwanted.

Analysis date:
12/24/2024 12:02:37 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Reason Heuristics
PUP.Ask (M)
17.3.13.14

File size:
162.9 KB (166,800 bytes)

Product version:
2.0.0.3029

Copyright:
(c) APN LLC. All rights reserved.

Original file name:
APNNativeMsgHost.exe

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Language:
English (United States)

Common path:
C:\Program Files\askpartnernetwork\chromeutils\apnnativemsghost.exe

Digital Signature
Signed by:
APN LLC

Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
2/26/2015 8:00:00 AM

Valid to:
5/28/2018 7:59:59 AM

Subject:
CN=APN LLC, O=APN LLC, L=Oakland, S=California, C=US

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:
74BAC30967391B08242D79F7F79449E2

File PE Metadata
Compilation timestamp:
5/27/2015 7:03:33 AM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows Console

Linker version:
10.0

Entry address:
0x10BF9

Entry point:
E8, 7D, 4B, 00, 00, E9, 95, FE, FF, FF, 8B, FF, 55, 8B, EC, 83, EC, 20, 8B, 45, 08, 56, 57, 6A, 08, 59, BE, F0, E2, 41, 00, 8D, 7D, E0, F3, A5, 89, 45, F8, 8B, 45, 0C, 5F, 89, 45, FC, 5E, 85, C0, 74, 0C, F6, 00, 08, 74, 07, C7, 45, F4, 00, 40, 99, 01, 8D, 45, F4, 50, FF, 75, F0, FF, 75, E4, FF, 75, E0, FF, 15, C4, E0, 41, 00, C9, C2, 08, 00, CC, 8B, 54, 24, 0C, 8B, 4C, 24, 04, 85, D2, 74, 69, 33, C0, 8A, 44, 24, 08, 84, C0, 75, 16, 81, FA, 80, 00, 00, 00, 72, 0E, 83, 3D, 94, 81, 42, 00, 00, 74, 05, E9, 9A...
 
[+]

Entropy:
6.5407

Code size:
115 KB (117,760 bytes)

The file APNNativeMsgHost.exe has been discovered within the following programs.

Ask Toolbar  by APN LLC
The Ask Toolbar is a web browser extension and toolbar that delivers contextual based advertising as well as modify the user's web browser home and search pages to provide advertising and search.
apn.ask.com
74% remove it
Avira SearchFree Toolbar  by Avira GmbH
The Avira SearchFree Toolbar is a web browser toolbar and extension that modifies the browsers search and home pages as well as delivers contextual based advertising. This toolbar currently supports Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome.
www.avira.com/en/avira-searchfree-toolbar
76% remove it
Media Search App by Ask  by APN, LLC
69% remove it
Search App by Ask  by APN, LLC
Publisher's description - “Quixey and Ask have entered into a deal in which apps from Quixey’s database, whether for mobile or the PC, will be integrated into search results. It’s going live today and should be rolling out now, although it’s not yet live for me.”
www.apn.ask.com/products/toolbars
84% remove it
Shopping App by Ask  by APN, LLC
Publisher's description - “The Shopping Toolbar by Ask has the single purpose of enhancing a user’s online shopping experience by offering an enhanced shopping search experience, links to popular shopping sites and/or additional content such as coupons, special offers and the latest deals from many merchants.”
help.ask.com/link/portal/30015/30018/Article/227/What-features-does-the-Shopping-Toolbar-by-Ask-offer
79% remove it
Social Search App by Ask  by APN, LLC
62% remove it
 
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