While inspecting deceptive software-endorsing websites, our researchers discovered one promoting the Interesting Facts browser extension. This piece of software promises to display brief interesting facts from around the world. However, it also makes modifications to browser settings to promote t
Rar is ransomware - malware that uses encryption to prevent victims from accessing their files. We found that Rar appends the victim's ID, spystar1@onionmail.com email address, and ".Rar" extension to the filenames of all encrypted files. Also, it creates the "Read.txt" file that contains a ransom
While inspecting new submissions to VirusTotal, our researchers found the ZEUS malicious program, which is based on the Chaos ransomware. Once we executed a sample of the ZEUS (Chaos) ransomware on our testing system, it began encrypting files and changed their names. Original filenames were appe
Prime-scanner[.]com is one of the many deceptive websites running the "McAfee - Your PC is infected with 5 viruses!" scam. The purpose of this site is to trick visitors into purchasing legitimate antivirus software. Also, prime-scanner[.]com asks for permission to show notifications. We discovered
While checking out suspicious software promoting sites, our research team discovered the Bookmark Drag and Drop browser extension. It is endorsed as a bookmark management and quick access tool. Our inspection of Bookmark Drag and Drop revealed that it operates as a browser hijacker. This extensio
Flame is ransomware based on the Chaos ransomware. It encrypts files, appends four random characters to filenames (appends its extension), changes the desktop wallpaper, and creates the "read_it.txt" file containing a ransom note. We discovered Flame ransomware while inspecting samples submitted t
Our researchers discovered the control-scanning[.]com rogue page during a routine investigation of suspicious websites. It is designed to run scams, promote spam browser notifications, and redirect visitors to other (likely untrustworthy/malicious) sites. Users typically enter webpages like contr
While inspecting new submissions to VirusTotal, our researchers found the InitialConnection rogue application. Our analysis of this app revealed that it operates as adware and belongs to the AdLoad malware family. InitialConnection is designed to run intrusive advertisement campaigns, and it may
FocusAhead is an untrustworthy application that displays intrusive advertisements and can read sensitive information. Apps that show ads are called adware (advertising-supported software). Typically, users install adware on their computers unintentionally. We discovered FocusAhead while inspecti
"Email Security Update Scam" refers to an email spam campaign that we have analyzed. We determined that it is a phishing scam targeting email account log-in credentials (passwords). These fake emails attempt to extract this information from recipients by claiming that security issues have occurred