{
  "family": "neoreklami",
  "sample_count": 170,
  "category": "adware",
  "description": "Adware:Win32/Neoreklami is a pervasive, Russian-originating adware framework that aggressively monetizes infected endpoints by injecting unwanted advertisements, hijacking search traffic, and installing Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs).<br><br><b>Understanding Neoreklami</b><br>To the average user, Neoreklami causes severe browser degradation. It floods the screen with Russian-language pop-ups, injects hyperlinked text into legitimate websites, and redirects search queries to affiliate portals (like Yandex or Mail.ru). For security analysts, Neoreklami represents a persistent nuisance and a compliance risk, as it actively harvests browsing data to generate targeted advertising revenue for its operators.<br><br><b>Execution and Evasion Strategies</b><br>Neoreklami is primarily distributed via Pay-Per-Install (PPI) software bundlers hosted on Eastern European file-sharing sites. Users are tricked into installing it alongside freeware or pirated software. Once executed, it drops malicious extensions across all installed browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge). It establishes persistence by modifying the Windows Registry (<code>HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run</code>) and frequently drops a watchdog service to reinstall any components the user attempts to remove. Neoreklami frequently alters browser shortcut files (<code>.lnk</code>) to append its tracking URLs.<br><br><b>Indicators of Compromise (IoCs)</b><br>Threat hunters will observe a massive spike in outbound HTTP/HTTPS connections to known Russian affiliate tracking domains. The <code>%ProgramFiles%</code> and <code>%AppData%</code> directories will rapidly fill with randomly named folders containing unwanted software. The impact is a severely bloated endpoint, compromised search privacy, and significant user frustration.",
  "cta": "Published by the SystemHelpdesk team.",
  "aliases": [],
  "enrichment_level": "expert-seo",
  "faq": [],
  "faq_count": 0,
  "mitre_attack": [
    "T1547.009",
    "T1176",
    "T1105",
    "T1112",
    "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": "T1547.009",
      "name": "Boot or Logon Autostart Execution: Shortcut Modification",
      "tactic": "Persistence"
    },
    {
      "id": "T1105",
      "name": "Ingress Tool Transfer",
      "tactic": "Command and Control"
    }
  ],
  "containment_steps": [
    "Quarantine the endpoint to halt the continuous downloading of secondary adware payloads and stop the exfiltration of tracking data.",
    "Deploy specialized adware removal tools (like AdwCleaner) to locate and strip the forced Group Policies, Windows Services, and deep registry hooks.",
    "Manually audit every web browser shortcut (<code>.lnk</code>) on the system and remove any appended Neoreklami URLs from the 'Target' field.",
    "Reset all web browsers (Chrome, Edge, Firefox) to their factory defaults to completely purge the rogue extensions."
  ],
  "what_to_avoid": [
    "Do not trust the uninstallers provided by the adware; they frequently execute secondary scripts to reinstall the software later.",
    "Avoid ignoring the infection; the tracking infrastructure actively harvests browsing habits, which may include access to sensitive corporate portals."
  ],
  "target_industries": [
    "Global / Opportunistic"
  ],
  "motivation": "Opportunistic",
  "threat_actors": [
    "Unknown / Cybercriminal"
  ],
  "target_geographies": [
    "Global"
  ]
}