FreeShoppingTool Toolbar
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: | 10 % (Normal) |
| Infected Computers: | 30 |
| First Seen: | October 17, 2018 |
| Last Seen: | September 19, 2019 |
| OS(es) Affected: | Windows |
The FreeShoppingTool Toolbar is a program from Mindspark Interactive Network, Inc. that is a marketing company. The FreeShoppingTool Toolbar may be promoted to users via advertisements online that refer to a product called 'FreeShoppingTool by MyWay.' The FreeShoppingTool Toolbar is a program that relies on integration with your Web browser, and it may be listed in the extensions manager as FreeShoppingTool by MyWay. The FreeShoppingTool application can be found at h[t]tp://www.freeshoppingtool[.]com and installed for free. However, you should take into consideration that the program requires the following privileges in Google Chrome:
- Read and change all your data on the websites you visit.
- Replace the page you see when opening a new tab.
- Manage your downloads.
- Manage your apps, extension, and themes.
The permissions request in Mozilla Firefox by FreeShoppingTool are the following:
- Access your data for all websites
- Exchange messages with programs other than Firefox.
- Monitor extension usage and manage themes.
- Access browser tabs.
- Access browser activity during navigation.
The FreeShoppingTool Toolbar supports a version for Internet Explorer too. All versions of FreeShoppingTool appear to demand access to a wide range of browser features and the user’s data, which may be worrisome because the application is promoted as a tool that finds the best deals online. Many users may expect an application that searches for the lowest prices among online stores. However, what they install is an application that tracks their online activity and allows third parties to advertise in your browser aggressively. Installing the FreeShoppingTool Toolbar includes a redirect to 'ext.ask.com/index.jhtml?productName=FreeShoppingTool&installDate=2018101902&partnerId=^CZL^chryyy^TTAB02^bg&si=&tbGuid=49C8C884-19E2-4401-97CD-6F47197CD472&coId=209d9c5c78b047d784b73669a9610347&rebuttalSuppression=true' where you are shown a big download button that triggers the installation of another browser extension called 'Search Extension by Ask.' Some users may not notice the 'No Thanks' button on 'ext.ask.com' and allow Ask.com to become their default search.
The FreeShoppingTool Toolbar changes your new tab page to hp.myway.com/freeshoppingtool/ttab02chr/ that is a customized version of Mindspark's MyWay search engine. The FreeShoppingTool New Tab includes sponsored messages from advertisers and a search box that redirects the users to int.search.myway.com. The FreeShoppingTool New Tab includes links to sites like Wayfair.com, Facebook.com, HobbyLobby.com, CouponSherpa.com and Amazon. Exploring the curated sources by Mindspark may trigger warnings that you need to approve persistent tracking cookies and allow third parties to collect data on your online behavior. The FreeShoppingTool Toolbar is deemed as a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) that may offer a new tab with many advertisements on top and persistent tracking cookies. The company behind the FreeShoppingTool Toolbar may not collect personally identifiable information, but the extension and Web usage are likely to give them a clear idea who is using the Web browser and what promotional materials should be loaded. AV engines flag files associated with the FreeShoppingTool Toolbar using the following detection names:
Adware.AdLoadCRT.Win32.544
Adware.MyWebSearch.120
Application.WebToolbar (A)
GrayWare/Win32.StartPage.gen
PUA.Mindsparki.Gen
PUF.MySearch!1.AEA3 (CLASSIC)
PUP.Optional.MindSpark
PUP/Win32.Mindspark.R233545
Riskware/Agent
TROJ_GEN.R002H0CHN18
W32.HfsAdware.1166
W32/MindSpark.MHJA-2086
Win.Trojan.Agent-6496190-0
Win32/Virus.Adware.e71
