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softonicdownloader_for_spybot-search-destroy.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_spybot-search-destroy.exe by Softonic International has been detected as a potentially unwanted program by 29 anti-malware scanners. The program is a setup application that uses the Softonic Downloader installer. It will plug into the web browser and display context-based advertisements by overwriting existing ads or by inserting new ones on various web pages. With this installer, users are expecting to download Spybot - Search & Destroy but before that occurs they may be presented with additional offers, mostly potentially unwanted software or adware.
Publisher:
Softonic International  (signed and verified)

Product:
Application Installer

Version:
1.41.7.14

MD5:
4fa7de1a8e75c902e739d46458169339

SHA-1:
876b07229673b8b596a833c180e87ca2fe83e577

Scanner detections:
29 / 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:
2/27/2025 2:27:46 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.Softonic
7.1.1

AhnLab V3 Security
PUP/Win32.SoftPulse
2015.01.05

Avira AntiVirus
SPR/Dldr.Agent.bxib.9
7.11.174.250

avast!
Malware-gen
2014.9-151231

AVG
Adware BundleApp_r
2016.0.2879

Baidu Antivirus
PUA.Win32.SoftonicDownloader
4.0.3.151231

Bkav FE
W32.HfsAdware
1.3.0.6379

Comodo Security
Application.Win32.SoftonicDownloader.A
20604

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.498
9.0.1.0365

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader.G potentially unwanted application
9.7.0.302.0

Fortinet FortiGate
Riskware/Agent
12/31/2015

F-Prot
W32/A-e1336866
v6.4.7.1.166

F-Secure
Adware.BrowseFox.BZ
11.2015-31-12_5

G Data
Win32.Adware.Softonic
15.12.24

IKARUS anti.virus
PUA.SoftSonicDownloader
t3scan.1.7.8.0

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.183.13358

Kaspersky
not-a-virus:Downloader.Win32.Agent
14.0.0.888

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic
v2015.12.31.10

McAfee
Artemis!15C485BEF803
5600.6535

NANO AntiVirus
Trojan.Win32.Agent.dhiitm
0.28.6.62995

Qihoo 360 Security
Win32/Virus.Downloader.cf7
1.0.0.1015

Quick Heal
Downloader.Agent.r3 (Not a Virus)
12.15.14.00

Reason Heuristics
PUP.Softonic.Bundler (M)
15.12.31.10

Total Defense
Win32/Tnega.JOYReXC
37.0.11501

Trend Micro House Call
Suspicious_GEN.F47V1225
7.2.365

Trend Micro
TROJ_GEN.R08NC0OEF15
10.465.31

Vba32 AntiVirus
Downloader.Agent
3.12.26.3

VIPRE Antivirus
Softonic Downloader
33096

Zillya! Antivirus
Downloader.Agent.Win32.221506
2.0.0.1927

File size:
362.2 KB (370,848 bytes)

Product version:
1.41.7.14

Copyright:
Copyright (C) 2014

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
Softonic Downloader

Language:
Spanish (International Sort)

Common path:
C:\Documents and Settings\{user}\My documents\downloads\softonicdownloader_for_spybot-search-destroy.exe

Digital Signature
Signed by:
Softonic International

Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
7/2/2013 8:00:00 PM

Valid to:
10/2/2015 7:59:59 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:
10/15/2014 3:57:18 AM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:DVqrLBntGBgs97a1m9OXpHUJ1fjDbYBuASOqInagFEJ/A9L9PyIMsw5oS7latB2c:RGLKiJOOX9CjIdRagFEJ/AbPW5oS7lqb

Entry address:
0xFAF30

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, C0, 4A, 00, 8D, BE, 00, 50, F5, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, 3E, 89, 0F, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, 29, EF, 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:
7.9627  (probably packed)

Code size:
320 KB (327,680 bytes)

The file softonicdownloader_for_spybot-search-destroy.exe has been seen being distributed by the following URL.

http://spybot-search-destroy.en.softonic.com/universaldownloader-launch?WL=2381

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