Adware:Android/Dowgin

Classification

Type :

Adware

Platform :

Android

Aliases :

Adware:android/dowgin, Android.Adware.Dowgin, Adware:android/dowgin.[variant]!gen

Summary

Adware:Android/Dowgin is an advertising module that is distributed bundled together with other (usually legitimate) programs. The advertising module is used to display advertising content and in the process, may also silently gather and forward details from the device.

Removal

Once the scan is complete, the F-Secure security product will ask if you want to uninstall the file, move it to the quarantine or keep it installed on your device.

A False Positive is when a file is incorrectly detected as harmful, usually because its code or behavior resembles known harmful programs. A False Positive will usually be fixed in a subsequent database update without any action needed on your part. If you wish, you may also:

  • Check for the latest database updates

    First check if your F-Secure security program is using the latest updates, then try scanning the file again.

  • Submit a sample

    After checking, if you still believe the file is incorrectly detected, you can submit a sample of it for re-analysis.

    Note: If the file was moved to quarantine, you need to collect the file from quarantine before you can submit it.

  • Exclude a file from further scanning

    If you are certain that the file is safe and want to continue using it, you can exclude it from further scanning by the F-Secure security product.

    Note: You need administrative rights to change the settings.

Technical Details

Adware:Android/Dowgin displays advertising content to the users. This behavior may be considered unwanted if the user is unaware of the presence of the module, or objects to the nature of the advertising materials displayed.

The Dowgin module may also silently leak or harvest sensitive details from the device, such as its International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number, location, contacts, etc.

Mobile apps, especially those distributed for free, often include behavior or components for displaying third-party advertising content. This is done as an alternative form of revenue for the software developers, who would otherwise have to charge users for the application itself. If a user is unaware of the 'ad-supported' nature of such programs, or objects to the content being shown, they may cause considerable annoyance.

If use of the program outweighs the inconvenience of having ads displayed, you may choose to keep the app installed on your device.