Threat Database Potentially Unwanted Programs 'Malicious File Download 24'

'Malicious File Download 24'

By GoldSparrow in Potentially Unwanted Programs

Threat Scorecard

Threat Level: 80 % (High)
Infected Computers: 2
First Seen: May 5, 2015
Last Seen: September 15, 2021
OS(es) Affected: Windows

'Malicious File Download 24' is a detection message that is displayed by popular anti-virus programs when intercepting a serious security threat. PC security analysts advise computer users to take the 'Malicious File Download 24' message seriously. The appearance of the 'Malicious File Download 24' message or detection should prompt immediate action to prevent additional problems from occurring. If your computer is displaying the 'Malicious File Download 24' message, this may mean that a threatening component on your computer (or, in some cases, a PUP or Potentially Unwanted Program) is attempting to download a threatening file from a remote location.

In many cases, the security program in question is capable of detecting and stopping the threatening file from being downloaded but is incapable of detecting or removing the unwanted component that is attempting to download this file. Because of this, it is possible for security programs to warn computer users of 'Malicious File Download 24' repeatedly while at the same time indicating no problem on the affected computer when a threat scan is run. This is an ordinary incident when it comes to PUPs. This happens because most security applications are designed to deal with high-level threats. However, PUPs may not be regarded as threatening by these kinds of programs because they are not destructive or pose a serious privacy breach. PUPs may attempt to establish unauthorized connections and download files, prompting the 'Malicious File Download 24' message to appear. 'Malicious File Download 24' may also indicate the presence of a very serious threat such as a rootkit or a severe Trojan infection.

What is the Meaning of a 'Malicious File Download 24' Warning

If your security software is indicating a 'Malicious File Download 24' warning, this means that a component on your computer is attempting to download a threatening file automatically. The 'Malicious File Download 24' signature specifically notes that the threatening files are being downloaded through HTTP. Although this is very common, most severe threats (Trojan bots in particular) may use other protocols to transfer files in order to bypass these kinds of security protections. Regardless of the cause of 'Malicious File Download 24', PC security researchers strongly recommend that computer users use a skilled anti-malware program that is fully up-to-date to scan the infected computer in search for possible causes for the 'Malicious File Download 24' signature. If your security software fails to find a cause, it may be necessary to use a different security program with the capacity to detect PUPs, rootkits, or different types of unwanted components that may not be covered by the current security application.

Understanding the 'Malicious File Download 24' Signature

In order to carry out their attack effectively, most developers try to create threats that use up the least amount of space possible. There are numerous advantages when taking up a little space. Smaller threats are easier to hide and can be downloaded and installed faster, meaning that the time the computer user or their security software have to react is greatly reduced. This means that most security programs are designed to infect a computer and then initiate a connection to an outside server to download the bulk of the threat. It is during this step that many anti-virus programs may display a signature similar to the 'Malicious File Download 24' message. Even smaller threat infections may download configuration files as well as other types of content from their Command and Control server. Threats also require updates, particularly because PC security researchers are constantly retooling their security programs so that they will be able to intercept new threats detected in the wild. In the case of PUPs, 'Malicious File Download 24' may mean that the PUP is downloading advertising information or similar data.

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