Bande.app Adware

During our examination of new file samples, our researchers came across Bande.app. Our analysis of this application unveiled its classification as adware belonging to the Pirrit malware family. Bande.app is engineered to conduct intrusive advertising campaigns.

Adware, short for advertising-supported software, functions by presenting third-party graphical content, such as coupons, banners, pop-ups, overlays, surveys, etc., on visited websites or other interfaces.

It's important to note that specific criteria may be necessary for adware to execute intrusive ad campaigns, such as compatibility with browsers/systems or user geolocation, and visits to particular websites. Nevertheless, even if Bande.app fails to display ads, its presence on a device poses a threat to system security and user privacy.

Advertisements delivered by adware can promote online scams, unreliable or hazardous software, and even malware. Some intrusive ads can trigger scripts, upon being clicked, to initiate stealthy downloads or installations.

It's worth mentioning that while genuine products or services may occasionally appear in these ads, they are unlikely to be endorsed by official parties. It's more likely that this promotion is conducted by scammers who exploit affiliate programs associated with the content to earn illegitimate commissions.

While we have encountered several Pirrit apps with browser-hijacking capabilities in the past, Bande.app did not demonstrate these functionalities during our testing.

Additionally, advertising-supported software typically collects sensitive data, which may also apply to Bande.app. This targeted data may include visited URLs, viewed pages, search queries, browser cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable information or financial details.

How Can Adware Compromise Your Online Privacy?

Adware can compromise your online privacy in several ways:

Collecting Personal Information: Adware often collects personal information, such as browsing history, search queries, clicked links, IP addresses, geolocation data, usernames, passwords, and other sensitive data. This information can be used for targeted advertising or sold to third parties without your consent.

Tracking Online Activities: Adware tracks your online activities to deliver targeted advertisements. It monitors your browsing habits, visited websites, and interactions with online content to tailor ads based on your interests and behavior. This constant monitoring invades your privacy and can lead to a feeling of being constantly watched.

Displaying Intrusive Ads: Adware bombards you with intrusive advertisements, including pop-ups, banners, overlays, and sponsored content, which disrupt your online experience and compromise your privacy. These ads can be highly personalized based on the data collected about you, making them seem invasive and targeted.

Redirecting Web Traffic: Some adware may redirect your web traffic to sponsored websites or malicious domains without your consent. This not only exposes you to potentially harmful content but also allows adware distributors to profit from your clicks and interactions.

Installing Additional Malware: Adware often serves as a gateway for more malicious software to infiltrate your system. It may install additional malware, such as spyware, ransomware, or keyloggers, without your knowledge, further compromising your privacy and security.

Modifying Browser Settings: Certain types of adware can modify your browser settings, such as changing your homepage, default search engine, or installing unwanted browser extensions. These changes can affect your browsing experience and expose you to more intrusive ads or compromised search results.

Overall, adware poses a significant threat to your online privacy by collecting personal information, tracking your activities, displaying intrusive ads, redirecting web traffic, installing additional malware, modifying browser settings, and degrading system performance. It's essential to take proactive measures to detect and remove adware from your devices to safeguard your privacy and security online.