CCleaner Fake via DuckDuckGo

Computer Help and Discussions Windows Security
1

Today DuckDuckGo sends searchers to a bogus site for CCleaner. DuckDuck shows this as the first entry for the word piriform:

th_CCleaner_fake0.jpg

If you click it you get sent to this link with http at the front of it: (do not try this at home, I am a trained bungler)

://softdls.com/ccleaner?mkwid=xoqiIRu2&pcrid=1600285366&kword=ccleaner%20piriform&match=b

This is the first window of the installer. I let the process continue for a bit in a sandbox before stopping it. Not sure what this software is but it isn't CCleaner. Still have some of the files in the sandbox if they would help anything.

th_CCleaner_fake1.jpg

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, I suppose, but I wonder how many folks have been duped and are now put out with CCleaner? There oughtta be a law.

2

sadly it's a sponsored link so the only thing you can do is report it as bad to WoT and/or turn off ads on ddg. Good catch though

3

The law of the land is to download direct from the publisher or a link from the publisher's site.

4

I sent DuckDuckGo polite complaint using their feedback mechanism. Will see if they email me anything.

5

They may email you LOTS of stuff now that they have your address. :D

6

That's OK, I look at that one every 3 months. But thanks for the warning. B)