{
  "family": "plicker",
  "sample_count": 1,
  "category": "advanced_threat",
  "description": "<h3>Executive Summary</h3>\nPlicker is an intrusive adware family and Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) designed to aggressively monetize infected systems. It hijacks web browsers, alters core system configurations, and bombards the user with unsolicited, often deceptive, advertisements, significantly degrading system performance and user privacy.\n\n<h3>Technical Analysis and Behavior</h3>\nPlicker relies almost entirely on deceptive software bundling for distribution. Users inadvertently install the adware when downloading media players, file converters, or \"free\" utilities from low-reputation software aggregation websites.\n\nUpon execution, Plicker immediately attempts to establish persistence by creating registry run keys and hidden scheduled tasks. It installs malicious extensions across all detected web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge) and frequently modifies system-wide proxy settings to route web traffic through servers controlled by the adware operators. \n\nThis \"man-in-the-middle\" position allows Plicker to:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Inject Advertisements:</strong> Overlay pop-up ads, banners, and in-text hyperlinks onto legitimate, encrypted (HTTPS) websites.</li>\n<li><strong>Hijack Searches:</strong> Redirect queries from default search engines to affiliate-controlled portals to generate ad revenue.</li>\n<li><strong>Harvest Data:</strong> Track browsing history, search habits, and geolocation data, building comprehensive profiles that are sold to third-party marketing firms.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3>Risk Assessment</h3>\nWhile Plicker is not categorized as destructive malware, its privacy implications are severe. The constant network activity slows down the endpoint, and the injected advertisements are frequently served by untrusted networks, greatly increasing the risk of exposure to exploit kits, tech support scams, and secondary malware infections.\n\n<h3>Eradication and Prevention Strategies</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Endpoint Protection Policies:</strong> Configure EPP/EDR solutions to aggressively detect and block the installation of Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs) and grayware.</li>\n<li><strong>Browser Remediation:</strong> Manually remove any suspicious browser extensions associated with Plicker and perform a full browser reset to clear hijacked homepages and search engine settings.</li>\n<li><strong>Application Control:</strong> Implement least-privilege access and utilize application whitelisting to prevent standard users from installing unverified software bundles.</li>\n</ul>",
  "cta": "Published by the SystemHelpdesk team.",
  "aliases": [
    "Adware.Plicker",
    "PUP.Plicker",
    "Win32/Plicker"
  ],
  "enrichment_level": "insufficient_information",
  "faq": [],
  "faq_count": 0,
  "mitre_attack": [
    "T1566.002",
    "T1176",
    "T1112"
  ],
  "cisa_advisory": null,
  "last_updated": "2026-07-01T16:06:52Z",
  "type": "Adware",
  "target_industries": [
    "Global / Opportunistic"
  ],
  "motivation": "Opportunistic",
  "threat_actors": [
    "Unknown / Cybercriminal"
  ],
  "target_geographies": [
    "Global"
  ]
}