Beware of Ultimate Files Downloader Rogue Extension
Our team of researchers recently discovered the Ultimate Files Downloader extension while investigating suspicious websites.
This extension is promoted as a download management tool, but our analysis revealed that it operates as adware, displaying advertisements such as pop-ups, surveys, coupons, banners, and overlays on visited websites and interfaces. These ads promote various online scams, unreliable or hazardous software, and even malware. Some of these ads are designed to execute scripts that can perform stealthy downloads or installations when clicked.
It is important to note that legitimate content is unlikely to be promoted by the actual developers of these ads. Instead, scammers may abuse the product's affiliate programs to earn illegitimate commissions.
Aside from running intrusive ad campaigns, the Ultimate Files Downloader extension also collects private data, including URLs visited, webpages viewed, search queries, downloads, Internet cookies, usernames and passwords, personally identifiable details, and finance-related data. This collected data can be sold to third parties or otherwise abused for profit. It's crucial to be cautious when installing any browser extensions and to avoid downloading them from untrusted sources.
What Are Rogue Browser Extensions and How Similar Are They to Adware?
Rogue browser extensions are malicious software that are designed to look like legitimate browser extensions, but actually serve malicious purposes. They often operate similarly to adware, which displays unwanted advertisements and collects user data. Rogue browser extensions, on the other hand, may hijack browser settings, inject unwanted ads, redirect web traffic, steal user data, or perform other malicious actions without the user's knowledge or consent.
The main similarity between rogue browser extensions and adware is that they both use deceptive methods to trick users into installing and using them. Both may also collect user data for profit, although rogue extensions can be more invasive and malicious in their data collection practices.
To protect against rogue browser extensions and adware, users should be cautious when downloading any software, especially from untrusted sources. It's also essential to keep browser extensions updated and to regularly scan devices for malware. In addition, users can install ad-blockers and anti-malware software to help protect against unwanted ads and malicious software.
