Research Alts
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.
| Ranking: | 4,805 |
| Threat Level: | 50 % (Medium) |
| Infected Computers: | 1,498 |
| First Seen: | May 18, 2022 |
| Last Seen: | September 25, 2023 |
| OS(es) Affected: | Windows |
Research Alts is a browser extension that promotes itself as a useful tool that can provide additional search results, especially when a site is currently down or unavailable. The application showcases itself as particularly suited for students or researchers. Unfortunately, when installed on the system, Research Alts turns out to be another intrusive adware.
Adware applications are created for the sole purpose of monetizing their presence through the delivery of unwanted advertisements. Apart from the significant impact on the user experience on the device, these advertisements are typically promoting various untrustworthy products. They also can lead users to dubious destinations, such as phishing sites, fake giveaways, questionable adult websites and more.
Adware such as the Research Alts also may be capable of data-tracking. The operators of PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs) are usually interested in obtaining users' browsing information. The application may access, package, and then exfiltrate the entire browsing history, search history and clicked URLs. However, it is not uncommon for PUPs also to harvest numerous device details or even sensitive information extracted from the browser's autofill data.
