PUA:Win32/DownloadSponsor (Microsoft Defender Antivirus)

PUA:Win32/DownloadSponsor is a detection name used by Microsoft Windows Defender to identify potentially unwanted software (PUP) or potentially unwanted applications (PUA). In this case, it specifically refers to a category of software that may be considered undesirable or unwanted by users due to its behavior or the way it operates.

What is PUA:Win32/DownloadSponsor infection?

“PUA:Win32/DownloadSponsor” suggests that the detected program has characteristics associated with potentially unwanted behavior related to downloading or sponsoring other software. It could be adware, a browser toolbar, or another type of software that might display unwanted advertisements, track user activities, or have other features that users may find undesirable.

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Most of the cases, PUA:Win32/DownloadSponsor virus will instruct its victims to initiate funds transfer for the objective of neutralizing the changes that the Trojan infection has presented to the target’s tool.

PUA:Win32/DownloadSponsor Summary

These modifications can be as complies with:

• Anomalous binary characteristics. This is a way of hiding virus code from antiviruses and virus analysts.
• Ciphering the records situated on the victim’s disk drive — so the victim can no more use the information;
• Preventing normal access to the victim’s workstation. This is the typical behavior of a virus called locker. It blocks access to the computer until the victim pays the ransom.

PUA:Win32/DownloadSponsor

The most typical channels whereby PUA:Win32/DownloadSponsor Trojans are infused are:

• By means of phishing e-mails;
• As a repercussion of user winding up on a resource that holds a malicious software program;

As quickly as the Trojan is successfully injected, it will certainly either cipher the information on the target’s PC or protect against the gadget from working correctly – while also positioning a ransom money note that points out the requirement for the sufferers to effect the repayment for the function of decrypting the records or recovering the documents system back to the preliminary condition. In most instances, the ransom note will turn up when the client reboots the PC after the system has been damaged.

PUA:Win32/DownloadSponsor circulation channels.

In various edges of the globe, PUA:Win32/DownloadSponsor expands by leaps and bounds. Nevertheless, the ransom notes and methods of extorting the ransom amount might vary depending on neighborhood (local) settings. The ransom notes and methods of extorting the ransom money quantity may vary depending on particular regional (regional) settings.

For instance:

Faulty notifies concerning unlicensed software.

In certain areas, the Trojans often wrongfully report having identified some unlicensed applications allowed on the victim’s tool. The alert after that requires the individual to pay the ransom money.

Faulty declarations regarding prohibited content.

In nations where software piracy is much less prominent, this approach is not as effective for cyber scams. Additionally, the PUA:Win32/DownloadSponsor popup alert may wrongly claim to be originating from a police organization and also will report having situated kid pornography or various other illegal data on the gadget.

PUA:Win32/DownloadSponsor popup alert might falsely assert to be deriving from a regulation enforcement institution and also will report having situated child porn or various other prohibited information on the gadget. The alert will likewise consist of a demand for the customer to pay the ransom money.

Technical details

File Info:
crc32: 01CE3D8A
md5: 3d9dd5341be2290c1be19eb310b592fc
name: 3D9DD5341BE2290C1BE19EB310B592FC.mlw
sha1: bb8ff73b4c388abe98efd90d8c844118c46cb97f
sha256: d2dd6616c5110010e4e4834504e37a217dd26b1197e9efecba2689e2ffed866d
sha512: ee36e241772e3d9b75a0c244d16b3ee998ca87d00aeb3eaa0ebd64c136835ee1418b71f487ec3c8aaad8cc7f31374de037d60bf9be27e474c7a5173471e2a73e
ssdeep: 24576:ajgPdLE+dsw+4BIuovMpxK31XyLg3w3h3VuQ5PMtbE:7zswTI3aPMtbE
type: PE32 executable (console) Intel 80386, for MS Windows

Version Info:
0: [No Data]

PUA:Win32/DownloadSponsor also known as:

How to remove PUA:Win32/DownloadSponsor virus?

Unwanted applications have ofter come with other viruses and spyware. This threat can steal account credentials, or crypt your documents for ransom.

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There is no better way to recognize, remove and prevent PC threats than to use an anti-malware software from GridinSoft².

Download GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

You can download GridinSoft Anti-Malware by clicking the button below:

Run the setup file.

When the setup file has finished downloading, double-click on the setup-antimalware-fix.exe file to install GridinSoft Anti-Malware on your system.

An User Account Control asking you about allowing GridinSoft Anti-Malware to make changes to your device. So, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.

Press the “Install” button.

Once installed, Anti-Malware will automatically run.

Wait for the Anti-Malware scan to complete.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically start scanning your system for PUA: Win32/DownloadSponsor files and other malicious programs. This process can take 20-30 minutes, so I suggest you periodically check on the status of the scan process.

Click on “Clean Now”.

When the scan has finished, you will see the list of infections that GridinSoft Anti-Malware has detected. To remove them click on the “Clean Now” button in the right corner.

Are Your Protected?

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If the guide doesn’t help you to remove PUA: Win32/DownloadSponsor you can always ask me in the comments to get help.

1. GridinSoft Anti-Malware Review from HowToFix site: https://howtofix.guide/gridinsoft-anti-malware/
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