OpticalFraction Adware is an Annoying Threat that could lead to Identity Theft
OpticalFraction is an adware application that was discovered by our research team during a routine inspection on the VirusTotal website. Upon investigation, it was determined that OpticalFraction belongs to the AdLoad malware family, specifically designed as advertising-supported software.
Adware, such as OpticalFraction, is known for delivering intrusive advertisement campaigns. This type of software displays ads on visited websites and other interfaces, promoting various scams, unreliable software, and even malware. Clicking on these ads can trigger stealthy downloads or installations by executing scripts.
What does OpticalFraction do to your computer?
It's important to note that while legitimate content may occasionally appear in these ads, it is unlikely to be endorsed by the developers or other official parties. Scammers often abuse the products' affiliate programs to earn illegitimate commissions.
Although we did not observe any browser hijacker abilities while testing OpticalFraction, many AdLoad applications possess this capability. Additionally, OpticalFraction is likely equipped with data-tracking functionalities, allowing it to collect information such as browsing history, search engine queries, cookies, login credentials, personally identifiable details, and financial data. This information can be shared with or sold to third parties.
In summary, the presence of adware like OpticalFraction on a device poses risks such as system infections, privacy breaches, financial losses, and even identity theft.
Examples of other adware we have recently examined include WebEnumerator, ViewInput, FormatClick, and ResultsDisplay. These types of ad-supported software often appear legitimate and offer seemingly useful features. However, their functionalities rarely work as promised or don't work at all. It's crucial to remember that even if a software behaves as advertised, it does not guarantee legitimacy or safety.
The most common method of proliferating adware is through the bundling marketing technique, where regular programs are packaged with unwanted or malicious additions. Downloading from untrustworthy sources such as freeware and free file-hosting sites, as well as rushing through installation processes by ignoring terms or skipping steps, increases the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system.
Additionally, adware may have "official" download pages and be promoted on scam websites. Users often access these webpages through redirects generated by sites utilizing rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware with browser force-opening capabilities. Intrusive advertisements themselves can also distribute ad-supported software by performing downloads or installations without user permission when clicked on.
How to avoid and remove OpticalFraction
To avoid the installation of adware, it is strongly recommended to research software and download it from official or verified channels. When installing software, it is essential to read the terms, explore available options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opt-out of any additional apps, extensions, or features.
It is crucial to exercise caution while browsing the internet since fraudulent and malicious online content often appears legitimate and harmless. For example, seemingly innocuous advertisements can redirect users to highly questionable websites related to adult dating, pornography, gambling, and other potentially harmful content.
If you continuously encounter such ads or redirects, it is advisable to inspect your system and promptly remove any suspicious applications, browser extensions, or plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with OpticalFraction or similar adware, we recommend running a scan with an anti-malware application to remove the threat.
