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Monkeytize

Posted: May 26, 2014

Threat Metric

Ranking: 14,795
Threat Level: 1/10
Infected PCs: 670
First Seen: May 27, 2014
Last Seen: October 6, 2023
OS(es) Affected: Windows


Monkeytize is an adware program that may inject its advertisements into multiple brands of Web browsers, along with some online gaming applications. Because of its recent identification, Monkeytize has a poor detection rate amongst most PC security solutions. However, malware researchers have seen evidence of Monkeytize distributing potentially unsafe content. Removing Monkeytize from your PC is highly recommended, both for preserving the overall integrity of your online gaming experience, and for protecting your Web browser.

When Advertisements Start Monkeying Around with Your Games

Due to its common abuse by many types of adware, malware researchers no longer are surprised by advertising applications that modify Web browsers. In most cases, as can be seen with Monkeytize, these modifications may include injected content, such as specially-inserted hyperlinks for pop-up advertisements, along with banners and additional graphical elements. Some victims also report experiencing hijacked homepages. The issues that these 'extra' browser advertisements and hijacks may create include a poor Web-browsing performance, hindrance with interacting with a Web page's interface and, of course, all of the usual safety hazards. Some advertisements distributed by Monkeytize may include fake Flash updates, which are one of the most common delivery methods for threats.

While these elements are entirely typical for adware, Monkeytize also may have an additional spin Monkeytize puts on its advertisements: by targeting the Valve's 'Steam' gaming client. Similar to the way as Monkeytize targets Web browsers, Monkeytize also inserts advertisements into Steam's built-in Web-browsing utility. Investigations still are ongoing into whether Monkeytize modifies other aspects of the Steam experience, such as text messages in 'Friends' communications or the Steam client's game overlay. While malware researchers have yet to see Monkeytize target other gaming platforms, such as Blizzard's Battle.net or EA Games's Origin, they also have the potential to be vulnerable to future, similar attacks.

Monkeytize certainly is not the first case of adware affecting Steam, but is one of the few advertising programs to target Steam alongside other, general-purpose Web-browsing programs. Previous adware campaigns including Steam have been in distributional for at least the past two years.

Getting the Advertisement Monkey out of Your Steam Library

Monkeytize's recently-outlined distribution philosophy may include automatic installations. Even once you're aware of Monkeytize's presence (which should take little time, considering its extremely obvious symptoms), malware experts found that Monkeytize may evade normal software-removal techniques. Standard installations of Monkeytize programs may not display an entry within the Windows Control Panel and may not use the format of individual browser add-ons.

Adware programs tend to disguise themselves as benevolent products, but malware researchers have seen far too many negative traits from Monkeytize to categorize Monkeytize as anything other than a PUP. Removing Monkeytize always is encouraged, and, for users of Steam, may even be essential to maintaining a safe, well-optimized gaming hobby.

Technical Details

Additional Information

The following URL's were detected:
https://feed.pdfconvertersearcher.com/?q=
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