UniversalDisplay Mac Adware
During our regular examination of new submissions, we came across an application called UniversalDisplay that raised concerns. After conducting a thorough investigation, we determined that this application is adware associated with the AdLoad malware family.
Adware, short for advertising-supported software, operates by displaying advertisements such as pop-ups, banners, surveys, overlays, and more across different interfaces. These ads often promote online scams, unreliable or harmful software, and sometimes even malware. Some intrusive ads have the capability to initiate stealthy downloads or installations when clicked.
It's important to note that while these ads may occasionally feature legitimate content, it's highly unlikely that the actual developers of the promoted products are involved. Instead, it is probable that scammers exploit affiliate programs to earn illegitimate commissions.
In order to run intrusive advertising campaigns, adware may require specific conditions, such as a compatible browser or system, user geolocation, or visits to particular websites. However, even if UniversalDisplay doesn't display ads, its presence still poses a threat to the safety of the device and the user.
AdLoad applications often possess browser-hijacking capabilities, although we did not observe such behavior during our analysis of the UniversalDisplay app.
Additionally, this rogue software likely has the ability to track user data. The collected information may include visited URLs, viewed webpages, search queries, usernames, passwords, internet cookies, personally identifiable details, financial data, and more. This data can be sold to third parties or exploited for profit in various ways.
How Can Adware Compromise Your Online Safety and Privacy?
Adware can compromise your online safety and privacy in several ways:
Intrusive Advertisements: Adware bombards your browsing experience with intrusive advertisements, including pop-ups, banners, and overlays. These ads can be distracting, annoying, and may lead to accidental clicks, potentially exposing you to malicious websites or unwanted software installations.
Malware Delivery: Adware often serves as a gateway for more dangerous malware. Some ads displayed by adware can lead to websites that distribute malware or prompt you to download malicious files disguised as legitimate software. This puts your device and data at risk of being infected or compromised.
Browser Hijacking: Adware may modify your browser settings without your consent, redirecting your searches, changing your default search engine, or altering your homepage. These unauthorized modifications can undermine your online privacy and expose you to manipulated search results or websites that collect your personal information.
Data Tracking and Profiling: Adware is notorious for collecting your browsing habits, search history, clicked ads, and other online activities. This data is often used to create user profiles, which can be sold to third parties for targeted advertising or other malicious purposes. Your personally identifiable information and online behavior are at risk of being exposed without your consent.
Performance and Security Issues: Adware consumes system resources, slowing down your device and internet speed. Additionally, some adware may introduce vulnerabilities in your system, making it easier for cybercriminals to exploit and gain unauthorized access to your sensitive data.
Privacy Invasion: Adware may invade your privacy by monitoring your keystrokes, capturing screenshots, or recording your online interactions. This intrusive behavior can compromise your sensitive information, including usernames, passwords, credit card details, and other personal data.
