Adware.Mokead.A
Threat Scorecard
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecard
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards are assessment reports for different malware threats which have been collected and analyzed by our research team. EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards evaluate and rank threats using several metrics including real-world and potential risk factors, trends, frequency, prevalence, and persistence. EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards are updated regularly based on our research data and metrics and are useful for a wide range of computer users, from end users seeking solutions to remove malware from their systems to security experts analyzing threats.
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards display a variety of useful information, including:
Popularity Rank: The ranking of a particular threat in EnigmaSoft’s Threat Database.
Severity Level: The determined severity level of an object, represented numerically, based on our risk modeling process and research, as explained in our Threat Assessment Criteria.
Infected Computers: The number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular threat detected on infected computers as reported by SpyHunter.
See also Threat Assessment Criteria.
| Threat Level: | 20 % (Normal) |
| Infected Computers: | 16 |
| First Seen: | July 8, 2021 |
| Last Seen: | October 14, 2026 |
| OS(es) Affected: | Windows |
Adware.Mokead.A is a Windows-based adware program designed to generate revenue for its creators by flooding infected computers with unwanted advertisements. While it is classified with a relatively low danger level, it can still disrupt the browsing experience, slow down system performance, and compromise user privacy by collecting data on online activity.
Table of Contents
What Adware.Mokead.A Does
Once active on a system, Adware.Mokead.A is capable of automatically displaying or downloading advertisements without the user's consent. These ads can appear as pop-up windows, banners injected into web browsers, unwanted toolbars, or promotions embedded within ad-supported programs. Beyond simply showing ads, this adware may also monitor a user's web browsing habits, including websites visited and ad interaction data, and transmit that information to third parties. This data is typically used to deliver more targeted advertising or for other advertising-related purposes, raising concerns about user privacy.
Technically, the program is packed using UPX compression and lacks a digital signature, which are common traits of adware designed to make analysis and detection more difficult. It also includes code that checks for the presence of a debugger, a technique often used to evade security analysis tools.
How It Usually Gets Onto Computers
Like most adware, Adware.Mokead.A typically spreads bundled with free software downloaded from the internet. Common bundling vehicles include freeware applications, games, emoticon packs, file-sharing tools, and screensavers. Users often install this adware unintentionally when they rush through software installation wizards without carefully reviewing each step, missing opt-out checkboxes for additional bundled programs. Downloading software from unofficial or third-party websites significantly increases the risk of picking up adware like this.
Risks for the User
While Adware.Mokead.A is not considered highly destructive, it does carry real risks. The constant barrage of advertisements can be intrusive and degrade the overall browsing experience, sometimes making legitimate websites difficult to navigate. More concerning is the potential privacy impact: by tracking browsing habits and transmitting data to third parties, this adware can expose users to targeted advertising based on their personal online behavior. Additionally, adware of this kind can consume system resources, potentially slowing down the affected computer, and some of the advertisements it displays could lead users to unsafe or deceptive websites.
Signs of Infection
Users dealing with an Adware.Mokead.A infection may notice an increase in pop-up ads appearing seemingly at random, even when no browser is actively open. Unfamiliar toolbars or browser extensions may appear without having been intentionally installed. Browser homepages or default search engines might change unexpectedly. The computer may also feel sluggish, and users might encounter unusual temporary files being created on the system as part of the adware's normal operation.
How to Stay Protected
To reduce the risk of adware infections like Adware.Mokead.A, users should only download software from official and reputable sources, avoiding third-party download sites known for bundling unwanted programs. During installation, it is important to choose custom or advanced installation options rather than default settings, as this typically reveals any bundled software and allows users to opt out. Keeping the operating system and installed applications up to date, along with using reliable security software and performing regular system scans, can also help detect and remove adware before it causes significant disruption.
Analysis Report
General information
| Family Name: | Adware.Mokead.A |
|---|---|
| Packers: | UPX! |
| Signature status: | No Signature |
Known Samples
Known Samples
This section lists other file samples believed to be associated with this family.|
MD5:
85a6d8be81721cf1c80b9f35621b6cbf
SHA1:
05d3eb669ac35ac9fe590f210ffc30e904316ec1
SHA256:
CF2DE8F92B7E542625E54FEE24273ECC958D5ECCF22EE32FCE5119917E31EB5C
File Size:
718.75 KB, 718753 bytes
|
Windows Portable Executable Attributes
- File doesn't have "Rich" header
- File doesn't have debug information
- File doesn't have exports table
- File doesn't have relocations information
- File doesn't have security information
- File has been packed
- File has TLS information
- File is 32-bit executable
- File is either console or GUI application
- File is GUI application (IMAGE_SUBSYSTEM_WINDOWS_GUI)
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- File is Native application (NOT .NET application)
- IMAGE_FILE_DLL is not set inside PE header (Executable)
- IMAGE_FILE_EXECUTABLE_IMAGE is set inside PE header (Executable Image)
File Icons
File Icons
This section displays icon resources found within family samples. Malware often replicates icons commonly associated with legitimate software to mislead users into believing the malware is safe.Windows PE Version Information
Windows PE Version Information
This section displays values and attributes that have been set in the Windows file version information data structure for samples within this family. To mislead users, malware actors often add fake version information mimicking legitimate software.| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| File Version | 1.0.0.0 |
| Internal Name | ESDesignConsolle |
| Original Filename | ESDesignConsolle |
| Product Version | 1.0.0.0 |
File Traits
- packed
- x86
- zlib (In Overlay)
- zlib overlay
Block Information
Block Information
During analysis, EnigmaSoft breaks file samples into logical blocks for classification and comparison with other samples. Blocks can be used to generate malware detection rules and to group file samples into families based on shared source code, functionality and other distinguishing attributes and characteristics. This section lists a summary of this block data, as well as its classification by EnigmaSoft. A visual representation of the block data is also displayed, where available.| Total Blocks: | 6,785 |
|---|---|
| Potentially Malicious Blocks: | 238 |
| Whitelisted Blocks: | 6,547 |
| Unknown Blocks: | 0 |
Visual Map
? - Unknown Block
x - Potentially Malicious Block
Similar Families
Similar Families
This section lists other families that share similarities with this family, based on EnigmaSoft’s analysis. Many malware families are created from the same malware toolkits and use the same packing and encryption techniques but uniquely extend functionality. Similar families may also share source code, attributes, icons, subcomponents, compromised and/or invalid digital signatures, and network characteristics. Researchers leverage these similarities to rapidly and effectively triage file samples and extend malware detection rules.- Mokead.A
Files Modified
Files Modified
This section lists files that were created, modified, moved and/or deleted by samples in this family. File system activity can provide valuable insight into how malware functions on the operating system.| File | Attributes |
|---|---|
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\98e89235.ttf | Generic Read,Write Data,Write Attributes,Write extended,Append data |
Registry Modifications
Registry Modifications
This section lists registry keys and values that were created, modified and/or deleted by samples in this family. Windows Registry activity can provide valuable insight into malware functionality. Additionally, malware often creates registry values to allow itself to automatically start and indefinitely persist after an initial infection has compromised the system.| Key::Value | Data | API Name |
|---|---|---|
| HKCU\software\microsoft\multimedia\drawdib:: 2560x1600x32(bgr 0) | 31,31,31,31 | RegNtPreCreateKey |
Windows API Usage
Windows API Usage
This section lists Windows API calls that are used by the samples in this family. Windows API usage analysis is a valuable tool that can help identify malicious activity, such as keylogging, security privilege escalation, data encryption, data exfiltration, interference with antivirus software, and network request manipulation.| Category | API |
|---|---|
| Anti Debug |
|
| User Data Access |
|