Visual IM
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: | 16,591 |
| Threat Level: | 10 % (Normal) |
| Infected Computers: | 113 |
| First Seen: | July 12, 2013 |
| Last Seen: | August 19, 2023 |
| OS(es) Affected: | Windows |
Visual IM is a browser add-on that is used to enhance Facebook's private messaging and chat capabilities. Visual IM allows computer users to add pictures, smileys, and other types of icons to a typical Facebook chat. ESG security analysts strongly advise against using these types of applications. Facebook chat enhancers and smiles are among the most popular vehicles for malware delivery and have actually been used in malware delivery for a very long time. In fact, for years advertisements for free smileys and private messaging icons are among the most common ways of infecting computer systems with Trojans, adware and other forms of malware. Visual IM itself is associated with a browser hijacker. This type of infection is used to force computer users to visit certain websites containing advertisements and affiliate marketing links.
Visual IM actually does what Visual IM advertises; Visual IM allows computer users to include pictures and smiles in their Facebook chats. However, this supposed benefit is simply not worth the trouble. The Visual IM add-on may cause numerous other problems on the infected computer, affecting its performance, decreasing the Internet connection speed and causing a variety of problems on the affected Web browser. Some problems that have been associated with Visual IM include redirects to websites associated with Visual IM and pop-up windows that may lead to undesirable content. Visual IM may be linked to unwanted components that are used to keep track of your online activity and to communicate this and other information about your computer to a remote party.
Solving the Problems Resulting from the Visual IM Add-On
If you are experiencing problems related to Visual IM, ESG security researchers recommend the use of a reliable anti-malware program to scan your computer. Initially, it is recommended to remove the actual Visual IM extension using the normal procedure to remove browser extensions. Once Visual IM is removed, it is advised to run a full, thorough scan of the infected computer to make sure that Visual IM has not exposed your computer to malicious content. Finally, it is recommended that computer users go to their Web browser settings and remove any unwanted changes made by Visual IM. This Web browser extension may have changed your Web browser's homepage, default search engine and other preferences.
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