CM-SmWizard
Infected with CM-SmWizard ? |
The CM-SmWizard program monitors the user's browsing activities.
According to sources, the author of this program is possibly C-Media Corporation. The company is said to produce audio components placed in motherboards. This program is installed on the computer without the user's knowledge and consent. The program stays resident on the user's computer and carries out activities stealthily.
The program does not display a EULA (End User License Agreement) upon installation. The EULA contains information pertaining to the program and components installed together with it. This gives the user a view of the program's activities on the computer.
The CM-SmWizard software is said to keep track of the user's computer activities and online habits. The user's search queries, mouse clicks and websites accessed are all logged by the application. These pieces of information are possibly kept in a log file. The log file is then transmitted to the vendor of the program. This may be used to improve the company's advertising strategy. These pieces of information are possibly used for commercial gain. It is also possible that the pieces of information gathered from the user's computer are sold to advertising companies.
Sources say that the CM-SmWizard program is also able to display advertisements on the user's computer. These advertisements possibly appear as pop-ups. They may appear at random intervals and may disrupt the user's computer activities. The appearance of these ads may also cause the infected system to slow down.
This program possibly spreads threats to other computers. Propagation may be done through the applications already present on the user's computer. These applications include instant messaging programs and P2P (peer-to-peer) file sharing applications.
The CM-SmWizard program might be difficult to remove from the infected computer. The application does not come with a standard uninstaller that typically comes with legitimate applications. The program is also not on the Add/Remove list panel on the computer.
Vendor
Its author may be the C-Media Corporation.
Vendor URL
No website available.
| Threat Level: Severe Risk |  |
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CM-SmWizard Characteristics | Displays ads |  |
| Records personal data / keystrokes | |
| Hijacks internet browser | |
| Allows remote influence | |
| Downloads unsolicited files | |
| Disables programs / system | |
| Makes unauthorized phone calls | |
| Exploits a security flaw | |
| Floods internet connection | |
| Distributes threats | |
| Tracks browsing activity with installed applications | |
| Tracks browsing activity with cookies | |
| Installs without user consent | |
| Inadequate uninstall procedures | |
| Insufficient privacy disclosure and consent | |
| Uses excessive system resources | |
| Makes fraudulent claims about spyware detection and removal | |
| Performs Silent Updates |
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