home

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 14 anti-malware scanners. The program is a setup application that uses the Softonic Downloader installer. 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:
1.41.5.2

MD5:
5739544030a45f792470a57904a1fcc0

SHA-1:
a670496baf8af678c54d43edb8f57af73aeb94e5

SHA-256:
4fc4ba5c9e0a0d75f46d4c4e71d479f8f1e3f923eb4e28d7ee0c4d68ffba534b

Scanner detections:
14 / 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 2:27:38 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.Softonic
7.1.1

avast!
Malware-gen
140908-2

AVG
Adware BundleApp_r
2015.0.3347

Baidu Antivirus
Hacktool.Win32.Downloader
4.0.3.141127

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.8558
9.0.1.0262

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader.G potentially unwanted application
8.7.0.302.0

G Data
Win32.Adware.Softonic
14.9.24

herdProtect (fuzzy)
variant of softonicdownloader_para_atube-catcher.exe (PUP)
2014.11.27.11

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.183.13432

Kaspersky
not-a-virus:Downloader.Win32.Agent
14.0.0.3229

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic
v2014.09.19.02

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic.m
14.9.19.1

VIPRE Antivirus
Threat.4150696
32938

Zillya! Antivirus
Downloader.Agent.Win32.221506
2.0.0.1929

File size:
359.2 KB (367,776 bytes)

Product version:
1.41.5.2

Copyright:
Copyright (C) 2014

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
Softonic Downloader

Language:
Spanish (Spain, International Sort)

Common path:
C:\users\{user}\downloads\softonicdownloader_for_spybot-search-destroy.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:
9/10/2014 9:45:31 AM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:G2BM3UpmHpZ1R0BL+t7PfxXx64WvL6DgOV8rTTsm3eAPDCSroHc1AAauI2HY9rkT:+kpifR098ph64eGgOkomOwo8CvNnoS9k

Entry address:
0xF72B0

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, 90, 4A, 00, 8D, BE, 00, 80, F5, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, 27, 59, 0F, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, AD, E2, 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:
7.9610  (probably packed)

Code size:
316 KB (323,584 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

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.