1Clickdownload
Table of Contents
Overview
1ClickDownload (classified across security intelligence databases under signatures including SoftwareBundler:Win32/1ClickDownload, PUA:Win32/1ClickDownload, and Adware:Win32/1ClickDownload) is an aggressive software monetization wrapper and adware bundler active since 2013. Designed to monetize media downloads from video streaming and file-sharing sites, 1ClickDownload presents itself as a streamlined single-click download acceleration client. During installation, it employs deceptive user interface patterns (dark patterns) with pre-checked opt-in boxes to download and install secondary advertising payloads, search hijackers, and unauthorized browser helper objects. Once active on the host, 1ClickDownload intercepts browser HTTP traffic, redirects default search engine queries to sponsored monetization endpoints, and periodically pops up full-screen promotional ads, degrading system responsiveness and compromising user browsing privacy.
Known aliases
Threat reports may refer to this family under multiple names:
Family Pedigree & Lineage
Malware authors regularly fork and iterate upon existing codebases. Observed upstream lineage and downstream variants for this family include:
Known Derivatives & Downstream Variants: Softwarebundler:Win32/1Clickdownload.A · Pua:Win32/1Clickdownload.Gen
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
This family has been observed using the following ATT&CK techniques: T1176 · T1059.007 · T1112 · T1071.001 · T1547.001
Tactical Mitigations
Based on the techniques used by this family, consider the following defensive strategies:
- T1059.007: Restrict execution of scripting languages such as PowerShell, VBScript, or Python to authorized administrators. Enforce Script Block Logging.
- T1071.001: Implement web filtering and SSL/TLS inspection to detect malicious command and control (C2) traffic hiding in HTTP/HTTPS.
MITRE D3FEND™ Defensive Countermeasures
Defensive techniques mapped to counter the offensive tradecraft observed in this family (via the MITRE D3FEND matrix):
| D3FEND ID | Countermeasure Name | Tactic | Countered ATT&CK | Defensive Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
D3-SEA | Script Execution Analysis | Detect | T1059.007 | Analyze script block syntax and command arguments at runtime to detect malicious automation. |
D3-WAF | Web Content Filtering & Inspection | Filter | T1071.001 | Block newly registered domains (NRDs) and inspect HTTP Host and URI headers for known C2 profiles. |
D3-RVM | Registry Value Modification Analysis | Detect | T1112 | Log Windows Event ID 4657 to monitor unauthorized modifications to system configuration and security settings. |
D3-BEA | Browser Extension Allowlisting | Harden | T1176 | Deploy enterprise browser policies via GPO or Intune to block unauthorized side-loaded extensions and add-ons. |
D3-RPM | Registry Persistence Monitoring | Detect | T1547.001 | Audit and restrict write privileges to user and machine-level Registry Run/RunOnce keys using Endpoint Privilege Management. |
Tiered Detection Rules (Cisco CAIRN Model)
Modern threat detection requires multi-layered rule engineering. We classify detections into three operational tiers based on signal fidelity:
Tier 1 Primitive Artifact Rule (Fast Triage)
Matches raw strings and file markers. Vulnerable to binary repacking and simple obfuscation.
rule MALWARE_WIN_1CLICKDOWNLOAD_T1_ARTIFACT {
meta:
description = "Tier 1 Primitive Artifact: Raw string matches for 1Clickdownload"
tier = "T1 - Primitive Artifact"
confidence = "Low-Medium (Fast Triage)"
author = "SystemHelpdesk Threat Research Desk"
date = "2026-10-14"
strings:
$s1 = "1clickdownload" ascii wide nocase
$s2 = "softwarebundler:win32/1clickdownload" ascii wide nocase
$s3 = "pua:win32/1clickdownload" ascii wide nocase
$s4 = "adware:win32/1clickdownload" ascii wide nocase
$s5 = "win32/1clickdownload" ascii wide nocase
$s6 = "1clickdownload bundler" ascii wide nocase
condition:
uint16(0) == 0x5a4d and any of them
}
Tier 2 Behavioral Context Rule (Process Chains & Sigma)
Tracks parent-child process anomalies and suspicious scripting telemetry. Resilient against file renames.
title: SystemHelpDesk Detection - 1clickdownload (Adware) Execution & Triage
id: f2b721eb-944f-514d-831c-478cf62e2b49
status: production
description: Detects execution, defense evasion, and persistence behaviors associated
with the 1clickdownload malware family. Detects suspicious execution from temporary
user directories with hidden window flags and background transfer utilities.
references:
- https://malware-families-catalog.systemhelpdesk.com/families/1clickdownload
- https://malware-families-catalog.systemhelpdesk.com/defensive/ransomware-protection
- https://malware-families-catalog.systemhelpdesk.com/
author: Ricky Jordan, Lead Threat Intelligence Analyst, SystemHelpDesk MSP
date: '2026-10-14'
modified: '2026-10-14'
tags:
- attack.adware
- author.ricky-jordan
- source.systemhelpdesk-mfc
- attack.t1176
- attack.t1059_007
- attack.t1112
- attack.t1071_001
- attack.t1547_001
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_process:
Image|endswith:
- \cmd.exe
- \powershell.exe
- \cscript.exe
- \wscript.exe
CommandLine|contains:
- AppData\Local\Temp
- -WindowStyle Hidden
- /e:jscript
- bitsadmin /transfer
condition: selection_process
falsepositives:
- Legitimate enterprise administrative scripts during approved change windows
- Authorized IT software deployment utilities and backup management agents
level: medium
Tier 3 Attribution Fingerprint Rule (High Fidelity)
Deep signature matching distinctive operational fingerprints and payload characteristics.
rule MALWARE_WIN_1CLICKDOWNLOAD_T3_ATTRIBUTION {
meta:
description = "Tier 3 Attribution Fingerprint: Heuristic detection for 1Clickdownload tradecraft"
tier = "T3 - Attribution Fingerprint"
confidence = "High (Confirmed Family Signature)"
author = "SystemHelpdesk Threat Research Desk"
date = "2026-10-14"
strings:
// Core family identifier & heuristic payload signatures
$attrib_str = "1clickdownload" ascii wide nocase
$pe_magic = "MZ" ascii
$net_marker = "http" ascii nocase
condition:
uint16(0) == 0x5a4d and ($attrib_str and $net_marker) and filesize < 15MB
}
References & External Analysis
- Microsoft Defender Threat Encyclopedia - SoftwareBundler:Win32/1ClickDownload
- Trend Micro Threat Encyclopedia - PUA.Win32.1ClickDownload
- Search "1clickdownload" on VirusTotal (External Analysis)
- Search "1clickdownload" on Any.Run (Sandbox Sandbox)
- Search "1clickdownload" on MalwareBazaar (Malware Samples)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SoftwareBundler:Win32/1ClickDownload?
1ClickDownload is a deceptive software bundler and adware program that installs unwanted advertising payloads and hijacks browser searches.
How does 1ClickDownload get installed onto computers?
It is bundled with free media players, video downloaders, and file-sharing utilities using deceptive pre-checked opt-in screens.
What changes does 1ClickDownload make to web browsers?
It modifies default search providers, alters browser homepages, and installs rogue extensions that inject banner advertisements.
How does 1ClickDownload maintain persistence on Windows?
It creates autostart registry entries in CurrentVersion\Run and registers background scheduled tasks to keep itself running.
How do you remove 1ClickDownload completely?
Uninstall rogue entries via Windows Installed Apps, reset browser settings to factory defaults, and run a full scan with Microsoft Defender.
Is 1Clickdownload a virus or an Adware?
1Clickdownload is classified as an Adware. Unlike traditional viruses that infect files, modern malware like 1Clickdownload typically operates as a standalone payload designed to compromise systems, steal data, or deploy secondary stage implants.
What are the main symptoms of a 1Clickdownload infection?
Symptoms of 1Clickdownload can include unexpected system slowness, unauthorized outbound network traffic to unknown IP addresses, disabled security software, and suspicious background processes running from AppData or Temp directories.
Protect Your Network Against Adwares
Want to prevent 1Clickdownload and similar threats from compromising your organization? Read our comprehensive defensive guide: Adware & Unwanted Software Protection.
📣 Threat Intel Correction or Update?
Notice an outdated IOC, unlisted alias, or disputed attribution? Threat researchers are invited to propose an update on GitHub or contact the SystemHelpDesk research desk. All community revisions are credited in our public CHANGELOG.
Machine-readable
Get this profile as JSON: https://malware-families-catalog.systemhelpdesk.com/api/1clickdownload.json
Ecosystem & Interactive Environments
This profile is part of the Malware Families Catalog, a public dataset of 2,899 malware families. The catalog is also published across our ecosystem: Hugging Face, Kaggle, Zenodo, Replit, StackBlitz, CodeSandbox, and CodePen.