Home Malware Programs Fake Warning Messages ‘Please Install Codec Performer Update’ Fake Pop-Up Alert

‘Please Install Codec Performer Update’ Fake Pop-Up Alert

Posted: October 28, 2013

The 'Please Install Codec Performer Update' pop-up is a fraudulent update alert distributed by sites like Appround.biz for the purpose of installing harmful software. Software related to the 'Please Install Codec Performer Update' pop-up, such as InstallBrain, has close ties to adware, browser hijackers and other low-level threats.

Updating Your Trojans Disguised as Updating Your Codecs

Since codecs semi-frequently require updates to ensure your movie player's compatibility with the latest video formats, they're a plausible disguise for installers for many types of threats. The 'Please Install Codec Performer Update' pop-up also goes takes an additional step in social engineering by claiming to package various diverse codecs together into a single installer. However, PC users who are as well-read on the adware industry as malware researchers may be able to spot 'Please Install Codec Performer Update' pop-up's nature by noticing the mention of InstallBrain, a well-known Potentially Unwanted Program (or PUP).

The InstallBrain Downloader is particularly grounded in the distribution of low-level PC threats, including adware programs and PUP-categorized toolbars. On the other hand, a 'Please Install Codec Performer Update' pop-up also may install other forms of unreliable software. In some, but not all cases, you may see symptoms of the aftereffects of a 'Please Install Codec Performer Update' pop-up attack such as pop-up advertisements, a hijacked browser homepage or the presence of unrecognized brands of disk cleanup utilities.

How to Prevent Your Browser from Pleasing a Malware Distributor

Because a 'Please Install Codec Performer Update' pop-up is a browser-based attack against your PC, browser-based defenses like pop-up blockers, advertisement blockers and features for disabling scripts all are helpful ways of keeping your exposure to the 'Please Install Codec Performer Update' pop-up to a minimum. Ordinarily, non-corrupted websites shouldn't display a 'Please Install Codec Performer Update' pop-up – unless they or their advertising networks have been compromised, which should be reported so the offending content can be pulled from the site. SpywareRemove.com malware researchers also warn that anti-malware products always should be used to disinfect your computer after any contact with a 'Please Install Codec Performer Update' pop-up even if you haven't installed its update intentionally.

The 'Please Install Codec Performer Update' pop-up is one example of the many types of update prompts serving as vehicles to PUP to this day. Other prominent examples include the 'Notice! Please update your FLV Player' Fake Pop-up Alert, the 'Browser Update Available' Fake Alert, the 'You need to update your version of media player' Virus, the 'Firefox need to update immediately' Fake Alert and the 'Flash Player Update is Required to View this Content' Virus.

Technical Details

Additional Information

The following messages's were detected:
# Message
1Codec Performer Update is Recommended
Please Install Codec Performer Update (RECOMMENDED)
• Supports MP3, WMA, RealVideo, RealAudio, DivX, XviD and much more
• Based on FFDShow and Haali splitter the leading codecs libraries
• One install for all your codecs need
• 100% Free & Safe- share it with your friends
• Updating takes under a minute, and you do not need to restart after installation

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