Threat Database Adware Crusader Adware

Crusader Adware

By GoldSparrow in Adware

Threat Scorecard

Threat Level: 10 % (Normal)
Infected Computers: 28
First Seen: April 3, 2017
Last Seen: September 17, 2022
OS(es) Affected: Windows

The Crusader Adware is a parasite that may replace phone numbers for security software companies displayed in Google search results and advertisements. The Crusader Adware was first observed in late March 2017 and seems to be in a testing phase currently. The Crusader Adware seems to be a new family of adware. Apart from the possibility of manipulating Google search results, the Crusader Adware may display advertisements on the victim's computer and cause it to display pop-up messages promoting known technical support tactics. The most common way in which the Crusader Adware may be installed on the victim's computers is by bundling it with other software, and installing it after the computer users download a new program without observing the installation process carefully. In most cases, computer users can opt out of installing components like the Crusader Adware, but fail to do so because they did not pay attention to the installation process.

The Crusade of Deceiving

The Crusader Adware may take the form of an add-on to the victim's Web browser, and affect Google Chrome, Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox. The Crusader Adware may be installed as a Web browser plug-in, extension, add-on, or Browser Helper Object (depending on the victim's Web browser), and be able to intercept the victim's online traffic. The Crusader Adware downloads a configuration file that allows it to carry out its attack. This configuration file seems to be located in India and targets computers in this part of the world. The Crusader Adware's configuration file also includes various settings that seem to be placeholders or a marked 'demo,' indicating that the Crusader Adware may not be a finished version of this threat. During its attack, the Crusader Adware may display various types of advertisements, including banner advertisements and pop-up advertisements. The Crusader Adware will affect the victim's Web browser and cause it to redirect victims to particular websites.

How the Crusader Adware may Attack a Computer

The Crusader Adware code makes the Crusader Adware highly customizable, allowing its controllers to use it to promote numerous tricks or misleading products. In this particular case, the Crusader Adware is designed to promote known technical support tactics, which work by tricking computer users into signing up for bogus technical support services or calling fake technical support phone numbers that are mainly designed to take the victims' money. The Crusader Adware snoops on all of the victim's online searches and replaces the contact number for various security products and companies. Apart from being part of its hoax, replacing security providers' phone numbers also allows the Crusader Adware to protect itself, by preventing computer users from getting help while dealing with the effects of the Crusader Adware attacks.

When victims of the Crusader Adware call one of these replaced phone numbers, thinking that they are calling the support number displayed in their Google search results, they will reach a call center where the person answering will pretend to be a representative from a legitimate company. The con artists will then try to sell bogus products and services to the victim of the attack. Sometimes, they will try to convince the victim to grant access to the infected computer using a Remote Desktop Protocol, or some other form of remote control. This is all part of a well-known technical support tactic. The Crusader Adware's twist on this known tactic may include replacing search results, a new twist on an old hoax.

Preventing the Crusader Adware or Dealing with Its Effects

PC security researchers strongly advise computer users to install a reliable security program that is fully up-to-date to prevent these threats from infecting a computer. Although the Crusader Adware is not considered particularly unsafe, it may interfere with the victim's Web browser and does present a threat to security and the computer's integrity. The Crusader Adware can be uninstalled with any Web browser add-on, and taking precautions when installing any new software can prevent its installation.

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