{
  "family": "exent",
  "sample_count": 1,
  "category": "ransomware",
  "description": "<h3>Executive Summary</h3>\nExent is a classification often associated with aggressive Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs) and Adware that masquerade as gaming platforms, game managers, or media players. While historically linked to specific legitimate software delivery platforms, the \"Exent\" detection in modern contexts frequently flags heavily bundled software installers that forcefully inject advertisements, alter browser settings, and harvest user data without clear consent.\n\n<h3>Infection Vector and Technical Capabilities</h3>\nExent-related adware relies almost entirely on deceptive software bundling. Users typically encounter it when downloading \"free\" PC games or media tools from unofficial, third-party aggregators. The adware is installed silently in the background, often utilizing deceptive \"Express\" installation screens designed to trick users into accepting the bundled payload.\n\nOnce installed, the software employs highly intrusive tactics:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Ad Injection and Overlay:</strong> The primary function is aggressive monetization. It injects its own JavaScript into legitimate websites, overlaying pages with intrusive pop-up ads, sliding banners, and embedded video advertisements, significantly degrading system performance.</li>\n<li><strong>Browser Hijacking:</strong> The software frequently installs persistent extensions across Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. It modifies the default homepage, search engine, and new tab page to route all traffic through affiliate-monetized search engines.</li>\n<li><strong>System Resource Consumption:</strong> These background \"game managers\" often run constantly, consuming massive CPU and RAM resources for telemetry collection and continuous ad generation, severely impacting legitimate application performance.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3>Threat Assessment</h3>\nWhile Exent adware is generally not classified as destructive malware (like ransomware), it poses a severe threat to system stability, user productivity, and privacy. The aggressive persistence mechanisms cause significant IT overhead, and the tracking telemetry violates corporate privacy policies.\n\n<h3>Incident Response and Remediation</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Targeted Anti-Malware Scan:</strong> Standard antivirus often ignores PUPs. Utilize a reputable enterprise anti-malware solution (specifically tuned for Adware removal) to scan for and remove the deeply embedded registry keys, hidden scheduled tasks, and the core application files.</li>\n<li><strong>Browser Factory Reset:</strong> Following the removal of the underlying files, a full factory reset of all installed web browsers is absolutely required to purge the malicious extensions, tracking cookies, and hijacked homepage settings.</li>\n<li><strong>Software Policy Enforcement:</strong> Reinforce corporate policies regarding the downloading of unapproved \"freeware\" or gaming platforms to prevent future infections.</li>\n</ul>",
  "cta": "Published by the SystemHelpdesk team.",
  "aliases": [
    "Adware.Exent",
    "PUP.Exent",
    "Win32/Adware.GamingPlatform"
  ],
  "enrichment_level": "insufficient_information",
  "faq": [],
  "faq_count": 0,
  "mitre_attack": [
    "T1185",
    "T1176",
    "T1546.015"
  ],
  "cisa_advisory": null,
  "last_updated": "2026-07-02T07:01:27Z",
  "type": "Adware / PUP",
  "target_industries": [
    "Global / Opportunistic"
  ],
  "motivation": "Opportunistic",
  "threat_actors": [
    "Unknown / Cybercriminal"
  ],
  "target_geographies": [
    "Global"
  ]
}