Researchers have discovered a Google Chrome extension called Internet Download Manager, which is an adware and has been downloaded by more than 200,000 users.
Although the extension installs a well-known and legitimate download manager program, researchers were able to show some irregular behaviors through the extension. These irregular behaviors include opening links to spammy sites, changing the default browser search engine, and more display pop-ups asking users to download more “patches” and unwanted programs.
After installing the fake ‘Internet Download Manager,’ users are prompted to install an executable program from the Puupnewsapp website and to download a “Windows patch” ZIP file.
Further investigation reveals that there is a legitimate Windows program called Internet Download Manager from software company Tonec. Tonec offers Internet Download Manager extensions for Firefox and Chrome, and the authentic Chrome extension that the company provides is called the “IDM Integration Module.”
However, the fake ‘Internet Download Manager’ Chrome extension is maintained by a website called “Puupnewsapp,” which claims that “it increases your download speed by up to 500%,” making it a “super software” that is used to download games, movies, music and “large files in minutes.”
The sources for this piece include an article in BleepingComputer.