AssistiveBalance

AssistiveBalance is adware and a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) that can be installed on your computer without your knowledge or consent. It is an ad-supported software that displays intrusive advertisements, often in the form of pop-ups, banners, and other intrusive advertisements. The advertisements are usually related to products and services offered by third-party companies, which may not be trustworthy or relevant to your interests. Furthermore, AssistiveBalance can track your online activities and send data to its servers, making it a potential privacy risk.

Why Adware Applications Should not be Allowed on a Computer

Adware applications are not only intrusive and annoying but also may be a potential security risk. Adware applications can track user activity, collect data about the user's browsing habits, and even inject lousy code into websites that the user visits. This can lead to identity theft or other malicious activity. Furthermore, adware programs often contain unwanted advertisements that can slow down your computer and take up valuable system resources. Therefore, it is essential to prevent these types of applications from being installed on your computer to maintain the integrity of your device and protect your privacy.

AssistiveBalance Roots and Infection Vectors

The AssistiveBalance belongs to a very active adware family, the AdLoad family, which has new members created almost daily. They often install themselves without the user's knowledge or consent. They also may enter a computer through unsafe downloads, spam emails, and software bundles. Here are some common ways a computer can get infected with AssistiveBalance:

1. Malicious Downloads: AssistiveBalance can be disguised as a legitimate download, such as a software update, a game, or a media player. When the user downloads and installs the software, the AssistiveBalance malware gets installed as well.
2. Spam Emails: AssistiveBalance can be distributed through phishing emails that trick users into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. Once the user clicks on the link or attachment, the AssistiveBalance malware gets downloaded onto their computer.
3. Software Bundles: AssistiveBalance can be bundled with other legitimate software downloads. When the user installs the software, the AssistiveBalance malware gets installed as well.
4. Exploiting Vulnerabilities: AssistiveBalance also may exploit vulnerabilities in the computer's operating system or software to gain access to the system and install itself without the user's knowledge.

Malware infections such AssistiveBalance make clear why computer users should have up-to-date anti-malware software working 24/7 and exercise caution when downloading and installing software or opening email attachments to avoid getting infected with AssistiveBalance and other types of malware.