{
  "family": "meikehuayi",
  "sample_count": 1,
  "category": "ransomware",
  "description": "<h3>Executive Summary</h3>\nMeikehuayi is an aggressive Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) and Adware application, frequently originating from Chinese software development networks. It masquerades as a legitimate system utility, media player, or browser enhancement, but its primary function is to forcefully inject advertisements, hijack browser settings, and heavily monetize the infected endpoint through affiliate traffic generation.\n\n<h3>Infection Vector and Technical Capabilities</h3>\nMeikehuayi relies almost entirely on deceptive software bundling. Users typically encounter it when downloading \"free\" software, game mods, or cracked applications from unofficial, localized web portals. The adware is installed silently in the background during the primary software's setup process.\n\nOnce installed, the software employs highly aggressive tactics:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Aggressive Browser Hijacking:</strong> The software installs persistent extensions and Browser Helper Objects (BHOs) across all installed web browsers. It forcefully modifies the default homepage, search engine, and new tab page to route traffic through localized shopping portals or affiliate search engines.</li>\n<li><strong>System Watchdogs and Rootkit Tactics:</strong> Meikehuayi is notorious for its difficult uninstallation process. It frequently installs background \"watchdog\" services that actively monitor the registry and browser settings. If a user attempts to change their homepage back to Google, the watchdog service instantly reverts the change back to the malicious portal.</li>\n<li><strong>Ad Injection and Overlay:</strong> It injects its own JavaScript into legitimate websites, overlaying pages with intrusive pop-up ads, sliding banners, and embedded video advertisements, significantly degrading system performance.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3>Threat Assessment</h3>\nWhile Meikehuayi is generally not classified as destructive malware (like ransomware), it poses a severe threat to system stability, user productivity, and privacy. The aggressive persistence mechanisms cause significant IT overhead, and the constant ad injection consumes massive CPU and RAM resources.\n\n<h3>Incident Response and Remediation</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Safe Mode and Process Termination:</strong> Due to the aggressive watchdog services, it is often necessary to boot the infected machine into Windows \"Safe Mode\" to prevent the adware's defense mechanisms from launching before attempting uninstallation.</li>\n<li><strong>Targeted Anti-Malware Scan:</strong> Standard antivirus often ignores PUPs. Utilize a reputable enterprise anti-malware solution (specifically tuned for Adware removal) to scan for and remove the deeply embedded registry keys and scheduled tasks.</li>\n<li><strong>Browser Factory Reset:</strong> Following the removal of the underlying files, a full factory reset of all installed web browsers is absolutely required to purge the malicious extensions and hijacked settings.</li>\n</ul>",
  "cta": "Published by the SystemHelpdesk team.",
  "aliases": [
    "Adware.Meikehuayi",
    "PUP.Meike",
    "Win32/Adware.Hijacker"
  ],
  "enrichment_level": "insufficient_information",
  "faq": [],
  "faq_count": 0,
  "mitre_attack": [
    "T1185",
    "T1176",
    "T1546.015"
  ],
  "cisa_advisory": null,
  "last_updated": "2026-07-02T06:46:38Z",
  "type": "Adware / PUP",
  "target_industries": [
    "Global / Opportunistic"
  ],
  "motivation": "Opportunistic",
  "threat_actors": [
    "Unknown / Cybercriminal"
  ],
  "target_geographies": [
    "Global"
  ]
}