Amonetize
Amonetize (or Amonitize) refers to a group of applications regarded as adware that pose security and privacy risks to a computer and its user. It is often downloaded as an additional piece of software that has been bundled (such as packed .RAR or .ZIP files) in combination with other harmless applications or programs. Due to its ability to change computer settings, install toolbars, and otherwise degrade the computer user's experience, it is regarded as an example of a PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application) or PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program).
In the first quarter of 2014, it was ranked number 6 in the top 10 Malwarelist, with 0.21% of all attacks worldwide, according to Securelist from Kaspersky Labs.[1]
Although Amonetize may have legitimate uses, it is often used for malicious purposes; such as generating advertising revenue, boosting a site's search engine page ranking, or browser hijacking. Amonetize is often miscategorized as a virus or a trojan, though technically it is neither.[2]
Other aliases
- Adware.Win32.Amonetize.heur
- not-a-virus:Downloader (Kaspersky Labs)
- Application.Bundler.Amonetize/Application.Imonetize (Bitdefender) [3]
External links
References
- ↑ IT threat evolution Q1 2014 @ Securelist
- ↑ "Threat Profile: PUP-Amonetize!ECB7D245A209". McAfee. September 16, 2015. Retrieved 2016-02-03.
- ↑ Refs of a Amonetize-File