Amonetize
Amonetize (or Amonitize) is a group of applications regarded as adware that pose security or privacy risks to a computer and its user. It is often downloaded as an additional piece of software that has been bundled (such as packed .RAR or .ZIP files) in combination with other harmless applications or programs. Due to its ability to change computer settings, installing toolbars, and otherwise degrade the computer user's experience, it is regarded as an example of a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA) or Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP).
Although Amonetize may have legitimate uses, it is often abused for malicious purposes such as generating advertising revenue, boosting a site's search engine page ranking, or browser hijacking.
Amonetize is often categorized as a virus or a trojan, although technically it is neither.
Other aliases
* Application.Bundler.Amonetize/Application.Imonetize (Bitdefender)
* Adware.Win32.Amonetize.heur OR
: not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.Win32.Amonetize.heur OR
: not-a-virus:Downloader (Kaspersky Labs)
Statistics
In the first quarter of 2014, it was ranked number 6 in the top 10 Malwarelist, with 0.21 % of all attacks worldwide, according to Securelist from Kaspersky Labs.
Although Amonetize may have legitimate uses, it is often abused for malicious purposes such as generating advertising revenue, boosting a site's search engine page ranking, or browser hijacking.
Amonetize is often categorized as a virus or a trojan, although technically it is neither.
Other aliases
* Application.Bundler.Amonetize/Application.Imonetize (Bitdefender)
* Adware.Win32.Amonetize.heur OR
: not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.Win32.Amonetize.heur OR
: not-a-virus:Downloader (Kaspersky Labs)
Statistics
In the first quarter of 2014, it was ranked number 6 in the top 10 Malwarelist, with 0.21 % of all attacks worldwide, according to Securelist from Kaspersky Labs.
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