FormatClick Mac Adware
During our examination of new file samples, we came across an application called FormatClick. After conducting a thorough investigation, we determined that FormatClick is categorized as adware and is associated with the AdLoad malware family.
Adware, short for advertising-supported software, functions by displaying advertisements on various interfaces. It's important to note that adware may require specific conditions to execute intrusive advertising campaigns, such as using a compatible browser or system or visiting certain websites. However, even if FormatClick does not currently display ads, its presence on a system still poses a threat.
Advertisements delivered by adware often promote online scams, untrustworthy or harmful software, and even malware. Clicking on these ads can lead to unauthorized downloads or installations without the user's consent.
It's worth mentioning that the legitimate products or services advertised through these ads are likely endorsed by scammers who exploit affiliate programs to obtain illicit commissions.
Furthermore, AdLoad applications typically possess browser-hijacking capabilities, although FormatClick did not exhibit such behavior during our testing.
Additionally, FormatClick is likely equipped with data-tracking capabilities. The collected information may include visited URLs, viewed webpages, search queries, internet cookies, usernames, passwords, personally identifiable details, financial information, and more. This data can be sold to third parties or otherwise exploited for profit.
How Can Adware Compromise Your Browsing Experience and Online Privacy?
Adware can significantly compromise both your browsing experience and online privacy in various ways. Here are some ways adware can impact you:
Intrusive Advertisements: Adware inundates your browsing sessions with intrusive and unwanted advertisements. These ads can appear as pop-ups, banners, in-text links, or even take over entire webpages. They disrupt your online activities, slow down page loading times, and make it challenging to navigate websites.
Unauthorized Browser Modifications: Some adware goes beyond displaying ads and modifies your browser settings without your consent. This includes altering your homepage, search engine, or default new tab page. These unauthorized changes can be difficult to reverse and may redirect your searches to dubious or malicious websites.
Unreliable Advertisements: Adware frequently promotes unreliable or harmful products, services, or websites. Clicking on these ads can lead you to malicious websites, phishing scams, or downloads of potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) or malware. It puts your system at risk and compromises your online safety.
Privacy Invasion: Adware often tracks your online activities, collecting information such as browsing history, search queries, clicked links, IP address, and even personally identifiable information (PII). This data is then used for targeted advertising or sold to third-party advertisers without your consent. It compromises your online privacy and exposes you to targeted marketing campaigns.
Performance Degradation: Adware consumes system resources, including CPU and memory, to display advertisements. This can result in system slowdowns, sluggish performance, and overall diminished browsing experience. It can affect the responsiveness of your browser and other applications.
