Gridinsoft Logo

Amonetize

Posted: December 24, 2023
from Cybersecurity Glossary
Aliases:
Adware.Amonetize, W32/Amonetize
Aliases:
Platform:
Windows , macOS , Linux
Variants:
Amonetize.Downloader, Amonetize.Installer, Amonetize.Toolbar,Amonetize.AdLoad, Amonetize.Redirect, Amonetize.BrowserHijacker
Damage:
Displaying Intrusive Ads, Hijacking Web Browsers, Slowing Down Performance, Collecting Personal Data, Installing Other Malware
Risk Level:
High

Amonetize falls under the category of adware and is often labeled as potentially unwanted software (PUP). Despite not being a computer virus, it operates by displaying intrusive ads, redirecting web traffic, and bombarding users with pop-ups. Additionally, Amonetize may gather user data and contribute to device slowdown. Its distribution method involves piggybacking on free software, leading to silent installations without user awareness.

Possible symptoms

  • Frequent and intrusive display of pop-up ads within web browsers
  • Unwanted browser redirection to unfamiliar or malicious websites
  • Degraded system performance, including slow response times and increased resource usage
  • Unauthorized collection of personal data, such as browsing habits and login credentials
  • Installation of additional malware or potentially unwanted software on the infected system

Sources of the infection

  • Bundled software installations, especially with free or pirated applications
  • Compromised or malicious websites that host infected content or software downloads
  • Clicking on deceptive advertisements or fake system alerts that prompt the user to download software
  • Exploiting vulnerabilities in outdated software or operating systems to facilitate silent installations
  • Drive-by downloads from infected or compromised websites without user interaction

Overview

Amonetize falls under the category of adware and is often labeled as potentially unwanted software (PUP). Despite not being a computer virus, it operates by displaying intrusive ads, redirecting web traffic, and bombarding users with pop-ups. Additionally, Amonetize may gather user data and contribute to device slowdown. Its distribution method involves piggybacking on free software, leading to silent installations without user awareness.

Amonetize disguises itself as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) but is, in reality, deceptive adware. It inundates users with unwanted ads, redirects web traffic, surreptitiously collects data, and installs without user consent.

The adware is also known as Adware.Amonetize and W32/Amonetize. It comes with various variants, including Amonetize.Downloader, Amonetize.Installer, Amonetize.Toolbar, Amonetize.AdLoad, Amonetize.Redirect, and Amonetize.BrowserHijacker.

The symptoms of Amonetize infection include frequent and intrusive display of pop-up ads within web browsers, unwanted browser redirection to unfamiliar or malicious websites, degraded system performance, unauthorized collection of personal data such as browsing habits and login credentials, and the installation of additional malware or potentially unwanted software on the infected system.

Amonetize poses a danger level of 4, and it affects platforms such as Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its sources of infection include bundled software installations, especially with free or pirated applications, compromised or malicious websites hosting infected content or software downloads, clicking on deceptive advertisements or fake system alerts that prompt the user to download software, exploiting vulnerabilities in outdated software or operating systems for silent installations, and drive-by downloads from infected or compromised websites without user interaction.

If you suspect your system is infected with Amonetize, take immediate action to remove the adware. Use a Gridinsoft Anti-Malware to scan and remove the Amonetize components, manually uninstall any suspicious programs related to Amonetize through the control panel or application settings, reset your web browsers to eliminate any Amonetize extensions or changes, and monitor your system for any unusual behavior, running additional scans to ensure complete removal.

To prevent Amonetize and similar adware infections, download software only from official and reputable sources, read and understand the terms and conditions during software installations, avoiding bundled installations whenever possible, regularly update your operating system and all installed software to patch vulnerabilities, use a robust antivirus or anti-malware program with real-time protection, and be cautious when clicking on ads or pop-ups, especially on suspicious websites.

🤔 What to do?

If you suspect your system is infected with Amonetize, take immediate action to remove the adware:

  1. Use a Gridinsoft Anti-Malware to scan and remove the Amonetize components.
  2. Manually uninstall any suspicious programs related to Amonetize through the control panel or application settings.
  3. Reset your web browsers to eliminate any Amonetize extensions or changes.
  4. Monitor your system for any unusual behavior and run additional scans to ensure complete removal.

🛡️ Prevention

To prevent Amonetize and similar adware infections:

  • Download software only from official and reputable sources.
  • Read and understand the terms and conditions during software installations, avoiding bundled installations whenever possible.
  • Regularly update your operating system and all installed software to patch vulnerabilities.
  • Use a robust antivirus or anti-malware program with real-time protection.
  • Be cautious when clicking on ads or pop-ups, especially on suspicious websites.

Gridinsoft Anti-Malware

Cure your PC from any kind of malware

GridinSoft Anti-Malware will help you to protect your computer from spyware, trojans, backdoors, rootkits. It cleans your system from annoying advertisement modules and other malicious stuff developed by hackers.

Gridinsoft Anti-Malware