Threat Database Adware Addonsmash Ads

Addonsmash Ads

By GoldSparrow in Adware

Threat Scorecard

Threat Level: 20 % (Normal)
Infected Computers: 56
First Seen: December 14, 2016
Last Seen: December 17, 2020
OS(es) Affected: Windows

Addonsmash is platform hosted at Addonsmash.com that offers solutions to software publishers. The Addonsmash platform appears to be tailored to freeware developers and publishers looking for a way to monetize their services with alternative mechanisms. Freelance programmers and publishers can work with Addonsmash to deploy browser extensions and standalone programs that PC users can install and benefit from for free. However, there is a catch. You are not required to pay a monthly subscription fee and purchase a commercial license, but you are provided with promotional materials like banners, video ads, coupons and discounts. These Addonsmash ads may be placed on banners, ad-boxes and pop-up windows.

Programs that include code from Addonsmash may be released as extensions for browsers like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox predominantly. We should note that customers of Addonsmash may incorporate monetization mechanisms into standalone apps that run on Windows and iMac. Addonsmash offers help to customers when setting up in-text ads, pop-up and pop-under windows, as well as online shopping recommendations. According to statements at Addonsmash.com users may notice the ads by Addonsmash on more than 40,000 online stores worldwide. The ads by Addonsmash are designed to present users with personalized offers from partners, and your browser may download tracking cookies to facilitate behavioral marketing. When you install software powered by Addonsmash, you may see underlined keywords on pages and widgets that feature the tag 'Optimized by Addonsmash'.

Security researchers perceive software associated with Addonsmash as Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs) that may feature adware capabilities. The Addonsmash platform does not appear to have a publicly listed owner and operators. Addonsmash.com offers vague information as to how payments are processed exactly. The dashboard for Addonsmash-powered extensions does not provide insight on how advertisements are generated and what type of data may be gathered. Applications related to Addonsmash may be labeled as riskware by security experts, and you may wish to reconsider installing extensions that display ads by Addonsmash. Untrusted advertisers may use Addonsmash to provide you with links to potentially compromised pages. Threat actors may host extensions on the Addonsmash platform and direct you to download harmful software. Computer users may want to use a trustworthy anti-spyware scanner to eradicate software powered by Addonsmash and improve their cyber defenses.

Trending

Most Viewed

Loading...