{
  "family": "surveyer",
  "sample_count": 8,
  "category": "advanced_threat",
  "description": "Adware:Win32/Surveyer is a persistent Potentially Unwanted Program (PUA) and adware family often bundled with free software. Its primary function is to silently install rogue browser extensions and intercept web traffic to inject intrusive advertisements, particularly fake 'surveys' or 'you have won' pop-ups, thereby generating illicit affiliate revenue and harvesting user data for the developers.<br><br><b>Understanding Surveyer Adware</b><br>To an end-user, a Surveyer infection is highly frustrating. Their familiar Google or Bing search engine is suddenly replaced by an unknown portal, their browser becomes sluggish, and they are constantly interrupted by fake survey pop-ups demanding personal information in exchange for non-existent prizes. For security analysts, it represents a classic Pay-Per-Install (PPI) monetization scheme, utilizing persistence mechanisms to prevent the user from easily reverting their browser settings.<br><br><b>Execution and Hijacking Mechanics</b><br>Surveyer is heavily distributed via deceptive software bundlers (`T1189`) found on third-party freeware sites. Upon execution, the installer uses 'Dark Patterns' to bypass user consent (`T1204.002`). It establishes persistence via Registry Run keys. It installs rogue Browser Helper Objects (BHOs) and extensions (`T1176`) to intercept all web traffic (`T1185`), injecting its survey advertisements directly into the DOM of the websites the user visits and monitoring search queries.<br><br><b>Indicators of Compromise & Impact</b><br>The primary impact is a severely degraded user experience, compromised browsing privacy (all searches are tracked and monetized), and the potential for users to submit sensitive corporate or personal data into the fake surveys (phishing). Incident responders will observe anomalous HTTP/HTTPS traffic routing through known adware tracking networks. EDR logs will flag the installation of the Surveyer extensions and the unauthorized modification of browser registry keys.",
  "cta": "Published by the SystemHelpdesk team.",
  "aliases": [],
  "enrichment_level": "expert-seo",
  "faq": [],
  "faq_count": 0,
  "mitre_attack": [
    "T1189",
    "T1185",
    "T1176",
    "T1204.002"
  ],
  "cisa_advisory": null,
  "last_updated": "2026-06-09",
  "mitre_attack_detail": [
    {
      "id": "T1189",
      "name": "Drive-by Compromise (Bundled Installers)",
      "tactic": "Initial Access"
    },
    {
      "id": "T1176",
      "name": "Browser Extensions (BHO installation)",
      "tactic": "Persistence"
    },
    {
      "id": "T1185",
      "name": "Browser Session Hijacking (Ad injection and tracking)",
      "tactic": "Collection"
    },
    {
      "id": "T1204.002",
      "name": "User Execution: Malicious File",
      "tactic": "Execution"
    }
  ],
  "containment_steps": [
    "Use the Windows Control Panel to attempt uninstallation of the adware and any bundled software installed on the exact same date.",
    "Deploy an enterprise adware removal tool (e.g., AdwCleaner or Malwarebytes) to locate and strip the deeply embedded registry hooks and BHOs.",
    "Force a complete reset of all installed web browsers to factory defaults to eradicate the rogue extensions and restore the homepage.",
    "Educate the user on the dangers of submitting any information into unexpected browser surveys."
  ],
  "what_to_avoid": [
    "Do not rely solely on the browser's 'remove extension' button; the underlying adware frequently utilizes watchdog services to reinstall the extension.",
    "Avoid ignoring the infection; the fake surveys are often used to harvest credentials or distribute secondary malware."
  ],
  "target_industries": [
    "Global / Opportunistic"
  ],
  "motivation": "Opportunistic",
  "threat_actors": [
    "Unknown / Cybercriminal"
  ],
  "target_geographies": [
    "Global"
  ]
}