Adware.eXact.BargainBuddy
Threat Scorecard
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecard
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards are assessment reports for different malware threats which have been collected and analyzed by our research team. EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards evaluate and rank threats using several metrics including real-world and potential risk factors, trends, frequency, prevalence, and persistence. EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards are updated regularly based on our research data and metrics and are useful for a wide range of computer users, from end users seeking solutions to remove malware from their systems to security experts analyzing threats.
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards display a variety of useful information, including:
Popularity Rank: The ranking of a particular threat in EnigmaSoft’s Threat Database.
Severity Level: The determined severity level of an object, represented numerically, based on our risk modeling process and research, as explained in our Threat Assessment Criteria.
Infected Computers: The number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular threat detected on infected computers as reported by SpyHunter.
See also Threat Assessment Criteria.
| Threat Level: | 20 % (Normal) |
| Infected Computers: | 5 |
| First Seen: | July 24, 2009 |
| Last Seen: | June 19, 2026 |
| OS(es) Affected: | Windows |
Your system has been detected with Adware.eXact.BargainBuddy, a type of malicious software designed to display unwanted advertisements and potentially collect user data. This detection is a clear indication that your computer or device is compromised, and immediate action is necessary to prevent further damage and protect your personal information.
Table of Contents
What Is Adware.eXact.BargainBuddy?
Adware.eXact.BargainBuddy is identified as a form of adware, which is a category of malware that prioritizes generating revenue for its creators by displaying advertisements, often in intrusive and unwanted ways. Unlike other types of malware that focus on stealing data or taking control of systems, adware primarily aims to disrupt the user experience with ads, pop-ups, and redirects to affiliate sites. The presence of adware can lead to a significant degradation in system performance and can also pose risks to user privacy, as it may collect browsing habits and other personal data to tailor its advertising efforts.
How Adware.eXact.BargainBuddy Operates
Adware.eXact.BargainBuddy, like other adware programs, operates by infiltrating a system through various means such as bundled software downloads, infected email attachments, or exploits in web browsers. Once installed, it can modify browser settings, registry entries, and even install additional software to ensure its persistence and effectiveness in displaying advertisements. This malware can work in the background, using system resources and potentially communicating with its command and control servers to report user activity and receive updates or new advertising content.
Symptoms of Infection
Symptoms of an Adware.eXact.BargainBuddy infection can include, but are not limited to, an increase in unwanted pop-up ads, new tabs opening with advertising content, changes in the default homepage or search engine of your web browser, and overall system slowdown due to the resource-intensive nature of the adware. Users may also notice that their browsing experience is being tracked, as ads displayed may relate to their recent searches or visited sites, indicating that their browsing activity is being monitored and used for targeted advertising.
How to Remove Adware.eXact.BargainBuddy
- Enter Safe Mode with Networking to limit the malware's ability to interfere with the removal process. This mode allows you to use the internet to download necessary tools while disabling most startup programs, including the malware.
- Perform a full scan of your system using a reputable anti-malware tool, such as SpyHunter. Ensure the tool is updated to the latest version to increase the chances of detecting and removing the adware successfully.
- Uninstall suspicious programs that you do not recognize or that were installed around the time the adware symptoms began. Be cautious and only remove programs you are certain are not needed or are known to be malicious.
- Reset your web browsers (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, etc.) to their default settings. This step will remove any changes made by the adware, such as altered homepages or search engines, and can help in removing any associated browser extensions.
- Reboot your system and perform another scan to ensure that the adware has been completely removed. Rebooting helps to ensure that any remaining components of the malware are removed as the system restarts, and the follow-up scan can detect any remnants that might have been missed during the initial removal process.
Conclusion
Removing Adware.eXact.BargainBuddy requires a combination of using the right tools, understanding how the malware operates, and taking proactive steps to secure your system against future infections. By following the steps outlined above and maintaining good computer hygiene practices, such as regularly updating your operating system and software, using strong antivirus programs, and being cautious with downloads and email attachments, you can effectively remove this adware and protect your system from similar threats in the future.
Aliases
15 security vendors flagged this file as malicious.
| Antivirus Vendor | Detection |
|---|---|
| Symantec | Adware.Bullseye |
| Sunbelt | eXact.Downloader |
| Sophos | BargainBuddy |
| Prevx1 | Cool.Web.Search.HOMESEARCH |
| Panda | Adware/Exact.BargainBuddy |
| Ikarus | not-a-virus:AdWare.Win32.BargainBuddy.n |
| CAT-QuickHeal | AdWare.BargainBuddy.j (Not a Virus) |
| BitDefender | Application.Bargainbuddy.BC |
| AVG | Adware Generic.CRI |
| AntiVir | ADSPY/BargainBudd.n |
| Symantec | Adware.NaviSearch |
| Sophos | eXactAdvertising |
| Prevx1 | Generic.Malware |
| Panda | Adware/Exact.SearchBar |
| Microsoft | Adware:Win32/eXact.BargainBuddy |
File System Details
| # | File Name | MD5 |
Detections
Detections: The number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular threat detected on
infected computers as reported by SpyHunter.
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | msbe.dll | c0df070ea8ee15c03552de3e25756715 | 1 |
| 2. | nvms.dll | 02d5e94c3c02c86dfc00b5ca0d905731 | 0 |
Analysis Report
General information
| Family Name: | Adware.BargainBuddy |
|---|---|
| Signature status: | Root Not Trusted |
Known Samples
Known Samples
This section lists other file samples believed to be associated with this family.|
MD5:
fade0a28fbf5b8b2aece75a8642e8c23
SHA1:
8a708dfc009b0218259164d3c1261a3cb625adc6
SHA256:
A9D8C76BAF2E7CD15D874C9C22E4636B95F8D1DF29E421D86C7879DA3F7EA2E6
File Size:
104.97 KB, 104968 bytes
|
Windows Portable Executable Attributes
- File doesn't have "Rich" header
- File doesn't have debug information
- File doesn't have exports table
- File doesn't have relocations information
- File is 32-bit executable
- File is either console or GUI application
- File is GUI application (IMAGE_SUBSYSTEM_WINDOWS_GUI)
- File is Native application (NOT .NET application)
- File is not packed
- IMAGE_FILE_DLL is not set inside PE header (Executable)
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- IMAGE_FILE_EXECUTABLE_IMAGE is set inside PE header (Executable Image)
File Icons
File Icons
This section displays icon resources found within family samples. Malware often replicates icons commonly associated with legitimate software to mislead users into believing the malware is safe.
Digital Signatures
Digital Signatures
This section lists digital signatures that are attached to samples within this family. When analyzing and verifying digital signatures, it is important to confirm that the signature’s root authority is a well-known and trustworthy entity and that the status of the signature is good. Malware is often signed with non-trustworthy “Self Signed” digital signatures (which can be easily created by a malware author with no verification). Malware may also be signed by legitimate signatures that have an invalid status, and by signatures from questionable root authorities with fake or misleading “Signer” names.| Signer | Root | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Outblaze Ltd. | Thawte Premium Server CA | Root Not Trusted |
File Traits
- x86
Files Modified
Files Modified
This section lists files that were created, modified, moved and/or deleted by samples in this family. File system activity can provide valuable insight into how malware functions on the operating system.| File | Attributes |
|---|---|
| \device\namedpipe\gmdasllogger | Generic Write,Read Attributes |
Windows API Usage
Windows API Usage
This section lists Windows API calls that are used by the samples in this family. Windows API usage analysis is a valuable tool that can help identify malicious activity, such as keylogging, security privilege escalation, data encryption, data exfiltration, interference with antivirus software, and network request manipulation.| Category | API |
|---|---|
| Process Manipulation Evasion |
|
| Anti Debug |
|
| User Data Access |
|
| Keyboard Access |
|
