Adware.MacOS.Zako.A
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:
Ranking: 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: | 13 |
| First Seen: | August 31, 2020 |
| Last Seen: | October 11, 2022 |
Adware.MacOS.Zako.A (Zako) is a detection of the Zago plugin for Mac systems. Zako is detected and classified as adware. The reason for that is the fact that Zako is commonly installed though bundle installers or alongside download manager apps. What’s worse, those installers often give the option for the user to opt-out of installing Zako but even when the user does opt out Zako gets installed regardless.
Once Zako is installed, the app modifies a number of browser settings without the consent of the user. Zako can change the homepage setting as well as the default search engine. This functionality is the reason some solutions may classify Zako as a browser hijacker. The purpose of these changes is to enable the delivery of annoying intrusive ads. That ultimately, is how Zako makes money for its developers. While Zako doesn’t seem to directly cause any serious damage, the changed settings and the ads may lead to the system’s security being compromised. Fortunately, Zako is easily removed with a decent Mac antivirus.
