FileHunter

FileHunter is a peer-to-peer downloading client that can be used to search for movies, music and other files. Although FileHunter has genuine file searching and downloading features, malware researchers have also ranked FileHunter as a low-level risk due to its usage of unscrupulous installation strategies. Because FileHunter is sometimes distributed with mislabeled installation files that disguise themselves as media files for popular television shows, etc, FileHunter is labeled as a PUP or Potentially Unwanted Program (also known as a PUA or Potentially Unwanted Application). Although FileHunter doesn't present any form of direct danger to your PC, if you've installed FileHunter by accident, it's recommended for you to use appropriate software for removing all of FileHunter's components, including its disguised executable file.

On its own, FileHunter is a more-or-less legitimate application that functions as described, by helping you search for and find downloading sources that can be used from within its client interface, similar to many other (and, it should be noted, defunct due to their questionable legal standing) P2P downloading programs. How FileHunter sets itself apart from its competition isn't in the program, itself, but in FileHunter's means of installing itself. FileHunter's own website appears to contain links to popular TV programs, movies and music, but these links actually are various disguises for FileHunter's installer, an .exe file that's deceptively-named to look like a media file. As long as you have file formats set to be displayed, FileHunter's .exe format should be sufficiently obvious that you can cancel the download immediately.

Other sources for FileHunter installers include misnamed files that pretend to be piracy tools such as key generators and cracks. As a basic safety measure, SpywareRemove.com malware researcher team recommends scanning any files that are downloaded from potentially-compromised sources, including general software sites, torrenting sites and P2P programs, to protect your computer from PC threats that use mislabeled installer files.

Calling Off FileHunter's Open Season on Your Computer

FileHunter has been detected by various aliases since 2011, particularly by the name Win32/Adware.WinPump. Even though FileHunter isn't likely to cause any form of direct damage to your PC, SpywareRemove.com malware researchers that you be cautious of files that FileHunter exposes you to in its searches, since FileHunter's P2P-searching functionality is unlikely to weed out PC threats that use similar file name hoaxes as FileHunter itself. Repetitive advertisements by FileHunter may also encourage you to spend money on its software, which has also caused FileHunter to be labeled as adware.

Because FileHunter is designed for Windows, non-Windows operating systems are safe from FileHunter even if you try to download and install FileHunter by mistake. However, other OSes can still be victimized by PC threats that use the same file-mislabeling strategies that FileHunter is known for exploiting.