{
  "family": "dovs",
  "sample_count": 75,
  "category": "advanced_threat",
  "description": "Adware:Win32/Dovs is an intrusive adware variant and deceptive software (Scareware) framework that targets web browsers to forcibly redirect traffic, inject advertisements, and display alarming, fake system warnings to monetize user interactions.<br><br><b>What is Dovs?</b><br>To the average user, Dovs is highly visible and deeply frustrating. The browser homepage is forcibly changed, and standard websites are flooded with injected banner ads. More maliciously, Dovs frequently redirects users to domains displaying fake 'Virus Detected' or 'System Error' warnings (scareware) to trick them into paying for useless tech support or downloading further malware. For security analysts, Dovs leverages deceptive installation tactics and aggressive persistence mechanisms.<br><br><b>Infection Vectors & Threat Hunting</b><br>Dovs is almost exclusively distributed via deceptive software bundlers or fake 'browser update' alerts. Upon execution, the adware heavily modifies browser configurations. It installs malicious extensions and frequently leverages Windows Group Policy (GPO) settings to 'lock' the rogue extensions in place, preventing the user from disabling them via the browser's native UI. It establishes persistence via Registry Run keys. Dovs constantly communicates with its C2 infrastructure to download updated lists of ads to inject and scareware domains to redirect toward.<br><br><b>Forensic Analysis & Impact</b><br>The impact is a degraded user experience, potential financial loss (via scareware scams), and a total loss of browsing privacy. Incident responders will observe anomalous HTTP/HTTPS traffic to known ad-tracking networks. EDR logs will show the initial installer modifying browser preference files (e.g., Chrome's `Preferences` JSON file) and establishing unauthorized Group Policies (e.g., under `HKLM\\SOFTWARE\\Policies\\Google\\Chrome\\ExtensionInstallForcelist`).",
  "cta": "Published by the SystemHelpdesk team.",
  "aliases": [],
  "enrichment_level": "expert-seo",
  "faq": [],
  "faq_count": 0,
  "mitre_attack": [
    "T1562.001",
    "T1112",
    "T1105",
    "T1176",
    "T1189"
  ],
  "cisa_advisory": null,
  "last_updated": "2026-06-09",
  "mitre_attack_detail": [
    {
      "id": "T1189",
      "name": "Drive-by Compromise",
      "tactic": "Initial Access"
    },
    {
      "id": "T1176",
      "name": "Browser Extensions",
      "tactic": "Persistence"
    },
    {
      "id": "T1112",
      "name": "Modify Registry",
      "tactic": "Defense Evasion"
    },
    {
      "id": "T1562.001",
      "name": "Impair Defenses: Disable or Modify Tools",
      "tactic": "Defense Evasion"
    },
    {
      "id": "T1105",
      "name": "Ingress Tool Transfer",
      "tactic": "Command and Control"
    }
  ],
  "containment_steps": [
    "Quarantine the endpoint to halt the active exfiltration of browsing telemetry and the downloading of further adware modules.",
    "Audit Windows Group Policies and the Registry to remove any forced extension installation policies (ExtensionInstallForcelist) created by the adware.",
    "Deploy an enterprise adware removal tool (e.g., AdwCleaner) to locate and strip the deeply embedded registry hooks and watchdog services.",
    "Force a complete reset of all installed web browsers to factory defaults to eradicate the rogue extensions and restore the homepage."
  ],
  "what_to_avoid": [
    "Do not rely solely on the browser's 'remove extension' button; Dovs frequently uses GPOs and watchdog services to immediately reinstall itself.",
    "Avoid ignoring the infection; scareware campaigns can trick employees into providing corporate credit card details or remote access to fake 'support' agents."
  ],
  "target_industries": [
    "Global / Opportunistic"
  ],
  "motivation": "Opportunistic",
  "threat_actors": [
    "Unknown / Cybercriminal"
  ],
  "target_geographies": [
    "Global"
  ]
}