Virus Encyclopedia

Welcome to the Virus Encyclopedia of Panda Security.

Mediaplex

 
Threat LevelModerate threat
DamageHigh
DistributionNot widespread
Common name:Mediaplex
Technical name:Adware/Mediaplex
Threat level:Low
Type:Spyware
Subtype: Adware
Effects:   It collects information on Internet usage and the applications installed in the computer and uses it to display pop-up advertisements.
Affected platforms:

Windows XP/2000/NT/ME/98/95/3.X

First detected on:Sept. 15, 2005
Detection updated on:Sept. 15, 2005
StatisticsNo
Proactive protection:
Yes, using TruPrevent Technologies

Brief Description 

    

Adware refers to programs that display advertising using any means: pop-ups, banners, changes to the browser home page or search page, etc. The advertisements could be associated with the products or services offered by the creator of the program or by third-parties.

Adware can be installed in a number of ways, on some occasions without users' consent, and either with or without users' knowledge of its function.

 

Mediaplex prevents access from programs to websites of several companies related with security tools (antivirus programs, firewalls, etc.).

Mediaplex redirects attempts to access web pages of certain banks to spoofed pages, with the aim of logging information entered by the user in these pages.

Mediaplex redirects attempts to access several web pages to a specific IP address.

 

Mediaplex does not spread automatically using its own means. It needs an attacking user's intervention in order to reach the affected computer. The means of transmission used include, among others, floppy disks, CD-ROMs, email messages with attached files, Internet downloads, FTP, IRC channels, peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing networks, etc.