OptimalPromo

Mac users should keep an eye out for a new PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) under the name of OptimalPromo. The application relies on deceptive marketing methods to spread itself, Indeed, users may not even realize that an additional program is being installed on their Mac computers. If OptimalPromo is successful, it will lead to a severely diminished user experience.

The PUP is capable of running an intrusive advertising campaign, generating monetary gains for its creators in the process. The advertisements could be presented in various forms - pop-ups, banners, surveys, etc, and could even start to overlay the legitimate content viewed on the device. The advertisements themselves could lead to unsafe locations via forced redirects. Users could find themselves landing on fake giveaways, phishing pages, technical support schemes or domains promoting additional PUPs. 

Meanwhile, OptimalPromo would be asserting control over the installed Web browsers. The application will modify the homepage, new page tab, and the default search engine and set them to open a sponsored page. Usually, browser hijackers are employed to generate artificial traffic towards a fake search engine. 

While PUPs and OptimalPromo are not considered a direct threat to the system, users shouldn't underestimate the red flags associated with these applications. Not to mention, that OptimalPromo might be tracking the browsing activities conducted on the device. The PUP might access the search history, browsing history, clicked URLs, as well as device details, such as the IP address and geolocation. All harvested information could be uploaded to a remote server and then potentially offered for sale to interested parties.