Threat Database Adware Adware.SecretSauce

Adware.SecretSauce

By CagedTech in Adware
Published:
Last updated:

Threat Scorecard

Popularity Rank: 17,275
Threat Level: 20 % (Normal)
Infected Computers: 3,288
First Seen: December 13, 2013
Last Seen: September 29, 2026
OS(es) Affected: Windows

The detection of Adware.SecretSauce on your system indicates the presence of unwanted software that can compromise your online experience and potentially expose you to more severe security threats. This type of malware is designed to display unwanted advertisements, collect user data, and sometimes redirect users to malicious websites. Understanding how adware operates and how to remove it is crucial for maintaining the security and performance of your computer.

What Is Adware.SecretSauce?

Adware.SecretSauce is identified as an adware program, which is a type of malware that bombards users with unwanted advertisements. These advertisements can appear in various forms, including pop-ups, banners, and sponsored content within websites. The primary goal of adware is to generate revenue for its developers by displaying ads and, in some cases, by collecting data about the user's browsing habits and preferences. While adware is generally considered less dangerous than other types of malware like viruses or Trojans, it can still significantly disrupt the user's experience and potentially lead to more serious security issues if not addressed.

How Adware.SecretSauce Operates

Adware.SecretSauce, like other adware programs, operates by infiltrating a user's system, often through bundled software downloads, infected websites, or deceptive pop-up ads. Once installed, it can modify browser settings, add unwanted browser extensions, or even install additional software without the user's consent. Adware can also track user activity, such as browsing history and search queries, to deliver targeted advertisements, which can be particularly intrusive and annoying. The presence of adware can also slow down system performance, as it consumes system resources to display ads and collect user data.

Symptoms of Infection

Identifying an adware infection can be relatively straightforward due to its overt symptoms. Users may notice an increase in unwanted advertisements appearing on their screen, including pop-ups, new tabs opening with ads, and banners on websites that previously did not display them. Additionally, the browser's homepage or default search engine might have been changed without the user's consent. In some cases, the system might become slower, or the browser may crash frequently due to the resource-intensive nature of adware. Recognizing these symptoms is crucial for taking prompt action to remove the adware and prevent further complications.

How to Remove Adware.SecretSauce

  1. Boot your computer in Safe Mode with Networking to prevent the adware from loading and to give you a clean environment to work in.
  2. Perform a full scan of your system using a reputable anti-malware tool, such as SpyHunter, to detect and remove all components of the adware.
  3. Uninstall any suspicious programs that you do not recognize or that were installed around the time the adware symptoms started appearing.
  4. Reset your web browsers (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, etc.) to their default settings to remove any unwanted changes made by the adware, such as modified homepages or added extensions.
  5. Reboot your computer and run another full scan with your anti-malware tool to ensure that all remnants of the adware have been removed.

Conclusion

Removing Adware.SecretSauce requires a systematic approach to ensure that all its components are eliminated from the system. By following the steps outlined above, users can effectively remove the adware and restore their system to a clean state. It's also important to adopt preventive measures, such as being cautious with downloads, avoiding suspicious links, and regularly scanning the system for malware, to prevent future infections. Remember, maintaining a secure and adware-free system is an ongoing process that requires vigilance and the use of reputable security software.

File System Details

Adware.SecretSauce may create the following file(s):
# File Name MD5 Detections
1. updateSecretSauce.exe c9e17861d3a96f605919f0b2f1275ce2 1

Registry Details

Adware.SecretSauce may create the following registry entry or registry entries:
CLSID
{0ffd0ef2-dbe9-483a-80c4-d2c331da1ce4}
{24B1AADD-EDA7-454D-B65E-14DC07CC7811}
{E98BAC43-260C-4BB5-9CD5-75EE5BD6BF5E}
Regexp file mask
%WINDIR%\System32\drivers\wnetfilter2.sys
Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Approved Extensions\{0FFD0EF2-DBE9-483A-80C4-D2C331DA1CE4}
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\updateSecretSauce_RASAPI32
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\updateSecretSauce_RASMANCS
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\utilSecretSauce_RASAPI32
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\utilSecretSauce_RASMANCS
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{0ffd0ef2-dbe9-483a-80c4-d2c331da1ce4}
Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Settings\{0FFD0EF2-DBE9-483A-80C4-D2C331DA1CE4}
Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\{0FFD0EF2-DBE9-483A-80C4-D2C331DA1CE4}
Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Ext\CLSID\{0ffd0ef2-dbe9-483a-80c4-d2c331da1ce4}
SOFTWARE\SecretSauce
SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Tracing\updateSecretSauce_RASAPI32
SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Tracing\updateSecretSauce_RASMANCS
SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Tracing\utilSecretSauce_RASAPI32
SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Tracing\utilSecretSauce_RASMANCS
SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{0ffd0ef2-dbe9-483a-80c4-d2c331da1ce4}
SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\SecretSauce
SYSTEM\ControlSet001\services\eventlog\Application\Update SecretSauce
SYSTEM\ControlSet001\services\Update SecretSauce
SYSTEM\ControlSet001\services\Util SecretSauce
SYSTEM\ControlSet002\services\eventlog\Application\Update SecretSauce
SYSTEM\ControlSet002\services\eventlog\Application\Util SecretSauce
SYSTEM\ControlSet002\services\Update SecretSauce
SYSTEM\ControlSet002\services\Util SecretSauce
SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\eventlog\Application\Update SecretSauce
SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\eventlog\Application\Util SecretSauce
SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\Update SecretSauce
SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\Util SecretSauce

Directories

Adware.SecretSauce may create the following directory or directories:

%PROGRAMFILES%\SecretSauce
%PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\SecretSauce

URLs

Adware.SecretSauce may call the following URLs:

SecretSauce