AwsomeExt

Posted: September 4, 2015

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.

Ranking:	17,210
Threat Level:	8/10
Infected PCs:	47

First Seen:	September 4, 2015
Last Seen:	October 4, 2023
OS(es) Affected:	Windows

AwsomeExt is a Potentially Unwanted Program that may use your browser to display advertisements that AwsomeExt loads automatically on unrelated Web pages. Common security problems related to these advertisements may include exposure to online tactics or threat-distributing attacks that may trigger automatically. Considering these issues, malware experts only can advise removing AwsomeExt from your browser, typically with a qualified anti-adware product.

The Lack of Awesome in Advertisements You didn't Choose

AwsomeExt is an extension-based browser add-on that malware researchers have seen thus far with Chrome and Firefox, although Internet Explorer also may be compatible with AwsomeExt. Most users report of not installing AwsomeExt intentionally, which leads to third-party software bundles being the most likely sources of AwsomeExt installers. These bundles may circulate on poor reputation freeware sites or software piracy-related download networks.

During its installation, AwsomeExt may use extensions to modify the above Web browsers. Consequential symptoms of these modifications always are related to AwsomeExt's adware functions and may include high-visibility changes such as:

AwsomeExt may 'hijack' the default advertisements of unrelated sites, such as banners, by overlaying its personal advertisements.
AwsomeExt may inject additional graphical advertisements into Web pages, which may modify the format of the Web page in unforeseen ways.
Most prominently, AwsomeExt also may inject advertising links into text content, such as specific keywords related to its advertisements. These advertisements are noticeable by the underlined hyperlinks not normally present in associated text.

Although AwsomeExt's advertisements are ostensibly benevolent, malware experts have noted that many of AwsomeExt's advertisement affiliates may include promoters for online tactics. These attacks may use offers of free goods or services as a means of luring you into compromising your phone number or other, equally important information.

Cutting Off an Extension with No Good Features

AwsomeExt advertisements, like those of most adware, may endanger your PC even when you refuse to interact with them. Since malware experts verified the habitual presence of hostile advertisements promoted by AwsomeExt, they strongly advise deleting AwsomeExt from any browser. However, if they're willing to assume the responsibility for any consequences of using this software, PC owners may choose to keep any individual PUP installed. In most cases, anti-adware tools can be used for AwesomeExt's uninstallation, which also should alleviate any related changes to your Web-browsing settings.

Adware may be installed by other threats, such as Trojans, but more often than not, may use pseudo-legitimate means of gaining access to your computer. Poor downloading habits tend to be the usual reason for AwsomeExt and similar extensions being found in your browser. Besides avoiding download sources that could be tied to adware, you also can scan suspicious files before launching them. Many anti-adware and anti-malware products are able to identify bundles and unwanted add-ons before they're installed, albeit not always by individual brand names. This small ounce of prevention can save any browser from the troubles that come with AwsomeExt advertisements.

AwsomeExt

Threat Metric

The Lack of Awesome in Advertisements You didn't Choose

Cutting Off an Extension with No Good Features

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