installCore
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| InstallCore | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | IronSource |
| Initial release | 2009 |
| Website | www |
InstallCore (stylized as installCore) was an installation and content distribution platform created by ironSource, including a software development kit (SDK) for Windows and Mac OS X.[1] The program allowed those using it for distribution to include monetization by advertisements or charging for installation, and made its installations invisible to the user and its anti-virus software.[2]
The platform and its programs have been rated potentially unwanted programs (PUP) or potentially unwanted applications (PUA) by anti-malware product vendors since 2014,[3] and by Windows Defender Antivirus since 2015.[4]
The platform was primarily designed for efficient web-based deployment of various types of application software. As of August 2012[update], InstallCore was managing 100 million installations every month, offering services for paid, unpaid, and free software by using the SDK version.[5]
History
[edit]The InstallCore team introduced the first version of the SDK at the beginning of 2011.[6] The SDK was a fork of the FoxTab installer and had only basic Installation features.
InstallCore was discontinued as part of a company flotation in late 2020.[7]
Criticism and malware classification
[edit]InstallCore and its software packages have been classified as potentially unwanted programs (PUP) or potentially unwanted applications (PUA), by anti-malware product vendors[3] and Windows Defender Antivirus[4] from 2014–2015 onwards, with many stating that it installs adware and other additional PUPs.[8] Malwarebytes identified the program as "a family of bundlers that installs more than one application on the user's computer".[9] It has been described as "crossing the line into full-blown malware" and a "nasty Trojan".[10]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "ironSource's installCore launches Mac OS installer to offer comprehensive, cross-platform solution for developers". Software Developer Times. 25 November 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
- ^ "Automated Malware Analysis Report".
- ^ a b "Detailed Analysis - Install Core - Adware and PUAs - Advanced Network Threat Protection | ATP from Targeted Malware Attacks and Persistent Threats | sophos.com - Threat Center". www.sophos.com. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
- ^ a b PUA:Win32/InstallCore - Windows, Mar 11 2015
- ^ "installCore Introduces Super Targeting for Freemium-Model Desktop Applications". PRWeb. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
- ^ "The InstallCore SDK | InstallCore – Professional installation creation platform". August 20, 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-08-20.
- ^ Gilead, Assaf (29 June 2021). "Giving up its cash cow paved ironSource's way to NYSE". Globes. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- ^ Macgregor, Jody (14 July 2022). "Unity is merging with a company who made a malware installer". PC Gamer. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- ^ "Adware.InstallCore". Malwarebytes Labs. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- ^ Paul Wagenseil (May 20, 2015). "Mac Adware Trojan Can Install Anything on OS X". Tom's Guide.