Airtostrong

Posted: February 15, 2016

Threat Metric

The Threat Meter is a malware assessment that SpywareRemove.com's research team is able to give every identifiable malware threat. Our Threat Meter includes several criteria based off of specific malware threats to value their severity, reach and volume. The Threat Meter is able to give you a numerical breakdown of each threat's initial Threat Level, Detection Count, Volume Count, Trend Path and Percentage Impact. The overall ranking of each threat in the Threat Meter is a basic breakdown of how all threats are ranked within our own extensive malware database. The scoring for each specific malware threat can be easily compared to other emerging threats to draw a contrast in its particular severity. The Threat Meter is a useful tool in the endeavor of seeking a solution to remove a threat or pursue additional analytical research for all types of computer users.

The following fields listed on the Threat Meter containing a specific value, are explained in detail below:

Threat Level: The threat level scale goes from 1 to 10 where 10 is the highest level of severity and 1 is the lowest level of severity. Each specific level is relative to the threat's consistent assessed behaviors collected from SpyHunter's risk assessment model.

Detection Count: The collective number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular malware threat. The detection count is calculated from infected PCs retrieved from diagnostic and scan log reports generated by SpyHunter.

Volume Count: Similar to the detection count, the Volume Count is specifically based on the number of confirmed and suspected threats infecting systems on a daily basis. High volume counts usually represent a popular threat but may or may not have infected a large number of systems. High detection count threats could lay dormant and have a low volume count. Criteria for Volume Count is relative to a daily detection count.

Trend Path: The Trend Path, utilizing an up arrow, down arrow or equal symbol, represents the level of recent movement of a particular threat. Up arrows represent an increase, down arrows represent a decline and the equal symbol represent no change to a threat's recent movement.

% Impact (Last 7 Days): This demonstrates a 7-day period change in the frequency of a malware threat infecting PCs. The percentage impact correlates directly to the current Trend Path to determine a rise or decline in the percentage.

Threat Level:	1/10
Infected PCs:	54

First Seen:	February 16, 2016
Last Seen:	July 16, 2020
OS(es) Affected:	Windows

Airtostrong is a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) that may redirect your Web browser to an affiliated website or load additional content, such as advertising. While Airtostrong isn't threatening, malware experts have seen installations of Airtostrong along with real threats, such as potential backdoor Trojans. After seeing symptoms characteristic of Airtostrong, you may wish to use both professional anti-adware and anti-malware products for removing Airtostrong and any additional software related to it.

Clearing the Air of Another Search Engine Hijacking

Airtostrong, often detected as a variant of the Graftor adware, is a PUP that modifies your browser for the sake of promoting potentially undesirable content. While similar programs may bundle themselves with legitimate, free products, malware researchers have seen incidents of Airtostrong's installations through threats, such as Trojan: Win32/Tulim.B!plock. The flexible nature of this Trojan's feature also makes other hazards likely, such as the collection of information, or third parties controlling your PC through a remote connection (AKA a 'backdoor'). However, by itself, Airtostrong is limited to non-threatening features affecting your Web browser.

Symptoms of Airtostrong's changing your browser may include:

Advertisements may inject themselves into Web pages automatically, potentially interfering with loading times, navigation menus or other content.
Airtostrong may redirect either your homepage or your search page to a site of its preference. Previously, Airtostrong has promoted a sub-domain of Searchtp.com that redirects all searches to Yahoo. For now, no cases of Airtostrong abusing its hijacking feature for the sake of a hostile Web address can be confirmed.

Airtostrong also provides no information about its version or associated developer, which makes it possible that new variants of Airtostrong could exhibit other functions that aren't emerging in current samples. The types of browsers compatible with Airtostrong still are under confirmation by malware researchers, although its features could apply themselves to most Web-surfing applications easily.

Stopping Airtostrong from Strong-Arming Your Browser

Airtostrong doesn't hide its files or program folder but does fail at offering controls for changing its settings or removing itself from your browser. These and other flaws associated with current versions of Airtostrong cause malware experts to suggest deleting Airtostrong for all PC users who are unsure about whether or not they want its input in their Web-browsing experience. Be alert to the potential of Airtostrong's installation proceeding through possible threats, such as backdoor Trojans, and use anti-malware tools as necessary for disinfecting your computer when appropriate.

Although many anti-adware vendors have good detection rates for Airtostrong, this adware also has a history of avoiding flagging from a majority of PC security products. Updating your software before running an anti-adware scan can help increase the chances of identifying Airtostrong and similarly unwanted applications fully. Close your browser before launching any scans for deleting Airtostrong. Malware experts also strongly recommend using Safe Mode whenever scanning a computer for the presence of any programs that may be unwilling to remove themselves.

Technical Details

Additional Information

The following URL's were detected:

fileconverterprotab.net