Threat Database Adware Adware.Passwidget

Adware.Passwidget

By CagedTech in Adware
Published:
Last updated:

Threat Scorecard

Popularity Rank: 20,876
Threat Level: 20 % (Normal)
Infected Computers: 37,372
First Seen: November 20, 2013
Last Seen: July 15, 2026
OS(es) Affected: Windows

The detection of Adware.Passwidget on your system indicates the presence of unwanted software that could be compromising your computer's security and performance. Adware, short for advertising-supported software, is designed to display unwanted advertisements, collect user data, or redirect searches to affiliate websites. Understanding what Adware.Passwidget is, how it operates, its symptoms, and how to remove it is crucial for maintaining your system's integrity and protecting your personal data.

What Is Adware.Passwidget?

Adware.Passwidget refers to a type of adware that has been identified as a potential threat to computer systems. While the specifics of Adware.Passwidget may vary, adware in general is known for its ability to infiltrate a system and generate revenue for its creators by displaying advertisements, often in the form of pop-ups, banners, or sponsored content within web pages. This type of malware can be particularly frustrating for users, as it can significantly degrade the browsing experience and potentially expose users to more malicious threats.

How Adware.Passwidget Operates

Adware.Passwidget, like other adware programs, typically operates by infiltrating a system through various means, such as bundled software downloads, infected email attachments, or exploited vulnerabilities in web browsers. Once installed, it can modify browser settings, registry entries, and other system files to ensure its persistence and ability to display advertisements. Adware can also collect user data, such as browsing history and search queries, which can be used for targeted advertising or sold to third parties.

Symptoms of Infection

Symptoms of an Adware.Passwidget infection can include an increase in unwanted advertisements, such as pop-ups, banners, and in-text ads, even when you're not browsing the internet. Your web browser may also exhibit unusual behavior, such as unexpected redirects to unfamiliar websites, changes in your homepage or default search engine, and the appearance of toolbars or extensions you didn't install. Additionally, your system may become slower, and you might experience frequent crashes or freezes.

How to Remove Adware.Passwidget

  1. Boot your computer in Safe Mode with Networking to prevent Adware.Passwidget from loading and to give you a clean environment to work in.
  2. Download and install a reputable anti-malware tool, such as SpyHunter, and perform a full scan of your system to detect and remove all traces of Adware.Passwidget and any other malware.
  3. Uninstall any suspicious programs or applications that you don't recognize or that were installed around the time your issues began.
  4. Reset your web browsers (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, etc.) to their default settings to remove any changes made by Adware.Passwidget.
  5. Reboot your computer and perform another scan with your anti-malware tool to ensure that all components of Adware.Passwidget have been removed.

Conclusion

Removing Adware.Passwidget requires a combination of using the right tools, understanding how adware operates, and taking preventive measures to avoid future infections. By following the steps outlined above and maintaining good computing habits, such as regularly updating your software, avoiding suspicious downloads, and using strong, unique passwords, you can protect your system from Adware.Passwidget and other types of malware. Remember, vigilance and proactive measures are key to a secure and smooth computing experience.

Aliases

8 security vendors flagged this file as malicious.

Antivirus Vendor Detection
AVG Generic_r.JH
AhnLab-V3 Trojan/Win32.Dropper
Avast Win32:Rootkit-gen [Rtk]
McAfee Artemis!C7AA07B7C751
AVG Generic5.APSF
Panda Trj/Genetic.gen
Comodo ApplicUnwnt
McAfee Adware-AddLyrics!BBB9D990A910

SpyHunter Detects & Remove Adware.Passwidget

File System Details

Adware.Passwidget may create the following file(s):
# File Name MD5 Detections
1. X5PassWidgetS.exe 3e9d2a34915a89cc674cbf6a1794e302 139
2. D0PassWidgetp20.exe ec383a4b0117e118019b6de57ba71ebd 106
3. A2PassWidgetp16.exe a622a99b4152a420b4f3c71bab9ac1a0 96
4. o6PassWidgetV.exe 870e435421357ce9dbcf8630fd1cccb7 91
5. R0PassWidgetS71.exe d81893a0d904982d174b69726efefa8a 78
6. y2PassWidgetba175.exe 1f6b776a462f5c0ae69c909f89eba6d3 68
7. 178.dll 1f2b7150e6412a31904df1533e8ed3b3 63
8. U9PassWidgetNs176.exe 2004e562145c14acc7bcfa6263a218a0 45
9. w1PassWidgetvQ175.exe d9ab4967b8f80df92a2fe98f6caf3ae3 44
10. t5PassWidgetE71.exe 258b0b81970890b8a77ff106f4edd681 44
11. S6PassWidgetr.exe 27c666e1bd6b6747e73167f94eb2587c 43
12. U4PassWidgetN04.exe 8f989c5feee50be32b71780561eae496 40
13. d1PassWidgetk.exe 766bf891cabdcd011cdeef917acebb59 40
14. D2PassWidgetF.exe 835117e473179abdf2bab44976f6969b 39
15. x1PassWidgetnH176.exe e0fefc0cd424aa6fab18c69ce5192183 39
16. Y0PassWidgete16.exe 0967a8a643d84e8218fef17b17314599 37
17. v5PassWidgetd.exe 6ff8a5c75689371146266183c28cef6c 37
18. M5PassWidgett82.exe 68bc458a1b08d25101bac070a1dfde1f 35
19. l5PassWidgetU.exe 738be72953131dd2c2eb5ddc3e8dc7e3 35
20. i5PassWidgetb96.exe 003cfbac37cc428f8afd4a8d93d0a23e 31
21. E3PassWidgetx11.exe fc40e2af0b09fe71d0709398aba49d7d 31
22. A1PassWidgetS02.exe 1a0898cfd226b949f39a6aa2cdb7e6ca 28
23. Y9PassWidgetI13.exe 7e9b133fd690baba925b67ff26d60eb4 27
24. C2PassWidgetsB175.exe 4407929b71102d83994fb9f2a7f4c6a1 25
25. J5PassWidgetJ.exe ac3aeb9e6de306a27724526530ddfabe 23
26. 177.dll ac1fe39f1aada74451d96afc8ad7f290 22
27. U3PassWidgetL03.exe 31b5abcb8f70d58402ea201bc12b94e1 19
More files

Registry Details

Adware.Passwidget may create the following registry entry or registry entries:
Software\AppDataLow\Software\PassWidget
Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{943D4942-6509-32A4-5730-C57D606AF2BB}
Software\Mozilla\Firefox\Extensions\{697A3546-59F5-264C-D77F-9B11FE5B3139}
SYSTEM\ControlSet001\services\PassWidget
SYSTEM\ControlSet002\services\PassWidget
SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\PassWidget

Directories

Adware.Passwidget may create the following directory or directories:

%PROGRAMFILES%\Pass-Widget
%PROGRAMFILES%\Pass-Widget Corp
%PROGRAMFILES%\Pass-Widget-soft
%PROGRAMFILES%\Pass-WidgetStf
%PROGRAMFILES%\di0PassWidget
%PROGRAMFILES%\di6PassWidget
%PROGRAMFILES%\v01PassWidget
%PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\Pass-Widget
%PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\Pass-Widget Corp
%PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\Pass-Widget-soft
%PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\Pass-WidgetStf
%PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\di0PassWidget
%PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\di6PassWidget
%PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\v01PassWidget