Fireball: Adware With Potential Severe Consequences | Total Security

 Adware found on 250 million computers spies on users and may install other software.

Ads can sometimes be annoying, and sometimes they can be malicious. Companies that make money selling ads sometimes go too far in making sure you see their ads. Recently, researchers discovered that one of these companies (a large digital marketing agency) had gone so far as to install adware on 250 million Windows and macOS computers around the world.

The worst part is that this adware is able to turn into real malware which can redirect users to malicious sites and scatter malware on their computers. And no one seemed to have noticed it, until now.

Stealth Fireball

Adware is a type of application that displays advertisements or collects your data for the purpose of profiling you and selling that profile to advertising companies, which in turn show you advertisements. The most common way for adware to sneak onto computers is by bundling with other software. Adware makers are willing to pay for bundling, so some freeware developers are really keen to bundle them together with their products to make them profitable.

However, the grouping may look different depending on the developer. While normally you are alerted when additional software has been installed along with the application you wanted, Fireball, the adware in question, does not notify users or allow them to opt-out of it. installation, it just stealthily installs it. It's important to note that the bundled adware doesn't necessarily install along with the free program you were interested in. The adware can be installed later when you are less attentive to potential installation issues.

Fireball is a browser hijacker, which means it modifies your browser to serve the purposes of its creator. This change includes changing the homepage and default search engine and also blocks your attempts to change them.

Fake Fireball search engines set by default contain tracking pixels that collect data about users with the intention of using them for marketing purposes.

Fireball also has the ability to run any code on the infected computer and download browser extensions or other software.

What is interesting is that despite its malicious nature, Fireball is signed with legitimate digital certificates, which makes it appear harmless. It also implements other invasion detection techniques to make it harder for security solutions to detect and mark it as malicious. This is the reason why no one had noticed the economic crisis for some time. The fireball appeared to be a completely legitimate application.

Why is Fireball so dangerous?

Additional advertising and online tracking can seem annoying, but not dangerous. However, Fireball's ability to download, install browser extensions, and execute code on an infected device makes it a perfect backdoor, one that can be used in a number of different ways - mostly to invade your computer. computer from unwanted items and to collect critical information or infect your device with various types of malware.

According to the researchers who discovered Fireball, it has already infected more than 250 million devices worldwide and can be found on one in five corporate networks. If (or once ) its creators decide to use it for espionage, Fireball could turn into a global disaster.

How do I know that I am not infected?

Despite Fireball's discretion, it's pretty easy to spot it. Open your browser and look at the home page, is it the one you set up? What about the default search engine? Can you change the settings to change your homepage and default search engine? If you answered no to either one, you could be infected with adware, be it Fireball or others.

If nothing is blocking your attempts to change the settings and you are sure that your home page and search engine are intact, you may not be infected with Fireball. Why not do a virus scan, however? Prevention is better than cure.

Shields vs. Fireballs

As you surely know, if you play role-playing games, the best protection against Fireball is a magic shield. In this case, a good security solution is your magic wand.

For example, to protect your computer from adware, you can change the settings in Protegent360's total security to refuse the installation of so-called potentially unwanted programs. The software will then detect and block any attempt to install adware, keeping Fireball away from your computer.