preinstallchecker.exe

PreInstallChecker

Adknowledge

This is published and distributed via an Adknowledge's advertising supported (adware) software installer. The application preinstallchecker.exe has been detected as adware by 2 anti-malware scanners. The program is a setup application that uses the Adknowledge Fusion installer, however the file is not signed with an authenticode signature from a trusted source. During install, it bundles potentially unwanted software on a user's computer at the same time without adequate consent. It is also typically executed from an Internet Explorer cache folder. The file has been seen being downloaded from install.browsersafeguard.com.
Publisher:
Adknowledge

Product:
PreInstallChecker

Version:
1.0.0.0

MD5:
7a8dd974a74e6716cc7b681046e7e2b0

SHA-1:
bc2418ec1e643ed61ec87dc48070cacb49a2372c

SHA-256:
c65846adbfc55a10013d0dff466b9eb5e9646f7ee1092aaa5d8af7dbfc30f50a

Scanner detections:
2 / 68

Status:
Adware

Explanation:
May bundle additional potentially unwanted software such as adware during setup.

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:
4/13/2025 2:21:26 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.BundleInstaller.A
v2013.11.25.01

Reason Heuristics
PUP.Adknowledge.U
14.2.26.9

File size:
13.5 KB (13,824 bytes)

Product version:
1.0.0.0

Copyright:
Copyright © Adknowledge 2013

Original file name:
PreInstallChecker.exe

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
Adknowledge Fusion

Language:
Language Neutral

Common path:
C:\users\{user}\appdata\local\microsoft\windows\temporary internet files\content.ie5\{random}\preinstallchecker.exe

File PE Metadata
Compilation timestamp:
7/17/2013 10:33:46 AM

OS version:
4.0

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows Console

Linker version:
8.0

.NET CLR dependent:
Yes

CTPH (ssdeep):
384:5eJ7S4oGubM1ZY+QMhZiam1aAEGXeN5aHV:YM4oGBhHNGXQ5aHV

Entry address:
0x4AFE

Entry point:
FF, 25, 00, 20, 40, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00...
 
[+]

Entropy:
5.2452

Developed / compiled with:
Microsoft Visual C# / Basic .NET

Code size:
11 KB (11,264 bytes)

The file preinstallchecker.exe has been seen being distributed by the following URL.

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