ActiveQuest

During a cybersecurity review of potentially intrusive applications, researchers came across ActiveQuest, which stands out as another questionable adware application. Its modus operandi involves executing intrusive advertising campaigns on the devices where it is installed. Notably, ActiveQuest seems to be tailored specifically to target Mac devices. Moreover, a detailed analysis conducted by the researchers indicates that this application is a new member of the notorious AdLoad malware family.

It's crucial for users to understand that Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs) like ActiveQuest may possess additional harmful capabilities beyond just displaying intrusive advertisements. Therefore, users should exercise caution and execute proper measures to protect their devices and personal information from potential threats posed by such applications.

Installing ActiveQuest May Lead to Increased Privacy and Security Issues

Adware applications are primarily developed to generate revenue for their creators through advertising practices. These software typically display various forms of advertisements, such as banners, pop-ups, and overlays, across different interfaces. These advertisements often promote online tactics, potentially harmful software and even malware. In some cases, clicking on these advertisements can trigger scripts that initiate stealthy downloads or installations without the user's consent.

While legitimate products or services may occasionally be advertised through these platforms, they are unlikely to be endorsed in this manner by official entities. More often than not, such endorsements are orchestrated by fraudsters who exploit affiliate programs to earn commissions illicitly.

The AdLoad software and adware, in general, commonly incorporate data-tracking features, which may also be present in ActiveQuest. This functionality allows the software to collect a wide range of information, including visited URLs, viewed Web pages, search queries, internet cookies, login credentials, personally identifiable details and credit card numbers. The collected data can then be shared with or purchased by third parties, raising concerns about user privacy and security.

Always Pay Attention When Installing Applications from Unfamiliar Sources

Adware and PUPs often employ deceptive or questionable distribution techniques to sneak their installations onto users' devices. Some standard methods include:

• Bundling with Freeware: Adware and PUPs may be bundled with legitimate free software users download online. During the installation process, users may overlook or fail to notice additional software offerings, resulting in unintentional installation of adware or PUPs.
•  Misleading Installation Prompts: Some adware and PUPs use misleading installation prompts that trick users into agreeing to install the software. For example, the prompts may be designed to resemble system notifications or warnings, leading users to believe that they need to install the software for security or performance reasons.
•  Fake Software Updates: Adware and PUPs may masquerade as legitimate software updates or security patches. Users may encounter fake update notifications while browsing the Internet, prompting them to download and install the fraudulent software under the guise of updating their existing software.
•  Social Engineering Tactics: Adware and PUPs may use a lot of social engineering schemes to trick users into installing the software. For example, they may present enticing offers or fake prizes to persuade users to download and install the software.
•  Malvertising: Adware and PUPs may be distributed through rogue advertising (malvertising) campaigns. Dubious ads may redirect users to websites that prompt them to download and install the adware or PUPs under pretenses.

Overall, adware and PUPs employ various sneaky distribution techniques to trick users into installing the software. Users must exercise caution when downloading software from the Internet and be wary of unexpected or suspicious installation prompts and notifications. Additionally, keeping antivirus software up to date can help detect and prevent the installation of adware and PUPs.