Free Adware Samples For Cybersecurity Research And Education

Cybersecurity professionals and researchers frequently require access to malware samples, including adware, to analyze threat techniques and develop effective defense strategies. Adware, a type of malware that automatically displays or downloads advertising material to a computer, represents a significant portion of malicious code encountered in the wild. For those seeking to understand, detect, and mitigate adware threats, various free resources provide legitimate access to adware samples for research purposes. This article examines the platforms and methods available for obtaining free adware samples while emphasizing safe handling practices.

Understanding Adware Samples

Adware samples are instances of malicious software designed to deliver unwanted advertisements to users' devices. These samples are valuable resources for cybersecurity researchers as they help in understanding the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) employed by adware developers. By analyzing these samples, researchers can identify patterns, develop detection methods, and create defensive measures to protect systems from adware infections.

The cybersecurity community relies on adware samples for various purposes, including reverse engineering, threat intelligence development, antivirus signature creation, and security testing. Each adware sample may exhibit unique characteristics that provide insights into evolving threat landscapes and emerging attack vectors.

Platforms Offering Free Adware Samples

Several online platforms specialize in providing malware samples, including adware, to registered users for research purposes. These repositories vary in size, accessibility, and the types of samples they offer. Some platforms require registration, while others may have limitations on the number of samples that can be downloaded daily.

Major Malware Repositories

1. VirusShare

   • URL: https://virusshare.com/
   • Description: A comprehensive malware repository maintained by Corvus Forensics
   • Access requirements: Requires free registration
   • Note: The ZIP files are password protected with "infected" as the password

2. MalShare

   • URL: https://malshare.com
   • Description: Free malware repository run by Silas Cutler
   • Access requirements: Registration required
   • Features: Offers daily updates of new malware samples

3. Contagio Malware Dump

   • URL: http://contagiodump.blogspot.com/
   • Description: Blog periodically updated with interesting malware samples
   • Access requirements: None, but some content may be password protected
   • Note: Not a complete archive but rather a curated collection

4. VirusBay

   • URL: https://beta.virusbay.io/
   • Description: Community-driven malware collection
   • Access requirements: Registration required

5. VirusSign

   • URL: https://virussign.com
   • Description: Collection of high-quality malware samples in various categories
   • Access requirements: Limited free access (500 samples per day)

Interactive Analysis Platforms

1. ANY.RUN

   • URL: https://app.any.run
   • Description: Interactive online sandbox with a database of 6.2 million public malware submissions
   • Access requirements: Registration required for free access
   • Features: Allows users to rerun and analyze samples, generate reports, and download malware
   • Daily activity: Processes over 14,000 tasks daily

2. Hybrid Analysis

   • URL: https://www.hybrid-analysis.com/
   • Description: Free malware analysis service owned by CrowdStrike
   • Access requirements: Registration required
   • Features: Provides detailed analysis of submitted samples

3. Hatching Triage

   • URL: https://tria.ge/dashboard
   • Description: Sandbox where users can submit their own files and download others
   • Access requirements: Registration required

4. CAPE Sandbox

   • URL: (Not provided in source data)
   • Description: Malware analysis platform
   • Access requirements: Registration required

Specialized Collections

1. Objective-See Collection

   • URL: https://objective-see.com/malware.html
   • Description: Archive of Mac (Apple) malware by family
   • Access requirements: None specified
   • Note: Very small collection focused on macOS malware

2. MalQuarium

   • URL: https://malquarium.org/
   • Description: Web-based malware repository with samples primarily from MalShare and URLHaus
   • Access requirements: None specified

3. VX Underground

   • URL: https://vx-underground.org/samples.html
   • Description: Collection of malware samples
   • Access requirements: None specified

How to Access and Use Adware Samples Safely

When working with adware samples, researchers must implement proper security measures to prevent accidental infections of their systems. The following best practices should be followed when downloading and analyzing adware samples:

1. Use Isolated Environments: Always analyze adware samples in secure, isolated environments such as virtual machines or dedicated analysis sandboxes. These environments should be disconnected from critical networks and systems.

2. Leverage Cloud-Based Sandboxes: Platforms like ANY.RUN, Hybrid Analysis, and Hatching Triage provide cloud-based sandboxes where samples can be executed without risk to the researcher's local environment.

3. Verify Sample Authenticity: Ensure that samples obtained from repositories are legitimate and haven't been tampered with. Check file hashes against known databases when possible.

4. Follow Download Procedures: Each platform has its own procedure for downloading samples. Some may require specific authentication steps or may limit downloads to registered users only.

5. Document Sample Sources: Keep detailed records of where each adware sample was obtained, including timestamps and any associated metadata.

Analyzing Adware Samples

Once adware samples have been obtained, researchers can employ various analysis techniques to understand their behavior and characteristics. Different platforms offer different types of analysis reports and tools:

ANY.RUN Analysis Features

ANY.RUN provides several types of reports for malware analysis:

1. IOCs (Indicators of Compromise): A summary of IOCs including hash sums, DNS requests, connections, and HTTP/HTTPS requests. This information helps researchers quickly identify key characteristics of the adware.

2. Text Reports: Detailed reports containing general information about the sample, behavior activities, screenshots, process data, registry information, files, network activity, and debug output. These reports can be exported in various formats including JSON, STIX, HTML, and SVG.

3. Process Graph: Visual representation of events that occurred during sample execution, providing an overview of the adware's behavior.

4. MITRE ATT&CK Matrix: Comprehensive mapping of the adware's tactics to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, helping researchers understand the adware's techniques in the context of known attack patterns.

Hybrid Analysis Features

Hybrid Analysis provides automated malware analysis services that generate detailed reports on sample behavior, including network activity, file system changes, and registry modifications. The platform allows users to search for samples by various parameters such as file type, family, or detected threats.

MalShare Features

MalShare offers a free malware repository where researchers can submit and download samples. The platform provides basic analysis information and allows users to search for samples by various criteria. Registered users can access additional features such as API access and larger download allowances.

Precautions When Handling Adware Samples

Working with adware samples, like any malware, carries inherent risks. Researchers must take appropriate precautions to protect their systems and comply with legal and ethical guidelines:

1. Legal Compliance: Ensure that obtaining and analyzing adware samples complies with local laws and regulations. Some jurisdictions may have restrictions on malware possession.

2. Ethical Considerations: Only obtain adware samples from legitimate sources and use them solely for defensive research purposes. Do not use samples for malicious activities.

3. System Protection: Keep analysis systems updated with the latest security patches and use reputable antivirus software. Regularly snapshot virtual machines before analyzing new samples.

4. Network Isolation: Analyze samples in isolated network environments with no connection to critical systems or the internet unless required for analysis.

5. Data Sanitization: Be cautious with samples that may contain sensitive information. The ANY.RUN documentation specifically notes that "Community account's investigation is available to the public by default," which means any sensitive data in samples may be exposed.

Educational Resources for Adware Analysis

Beyond sample repositories, various educational resources can help researchers improve their adware analysis skills:

1. Lenny Zeltser's Resources: Zeltser, a CISO at Axonius and malware defense expert, has developed comprehensive guides on malware analysis, including "Malware Sample Sources for Researchers" and "How to Share Malware Samples With Other Researchers."

2. Remnux: A Linux toolkit specifically designed for reverse-engineering and analyzing malware, developed by Lenny Zeltser.

3. Specialized Honeypots: Deploying honeypots can help researchers collect adware samples in a controlled environment. Specialized honeypots are available for SSH, web, and malware attacks.

4. Blacklists: Current blacklists of suspected malicious IPs and URLs can provide sources for adware sample collection.

5. Free Automated Malware Analysis Sandboxes: In addition to the platforms mentioned earlier, various free sandboxes are available for automated malware analysis.

6. Free Toolkits for Automating Malware Analysis: Several toolkits can help automate aspects of malware analysis, saving researchers time and improving consistency.

7. Free Online Tools for Looking up Potentially Malicious Websites: These tools can help researchers verify the malicious nature of URLs associated with adware campaigns.

Conclusion

Free adware samples are valuable resources for cybersecurity researchers, educators, and students seeking to understand and defend against adware threats. Numerous platforms offer access to these samples, ranging from comprehensive repositories like VirusShare and MalShare to interactive analysis environments like ANY.RUN and Hybrid Analysis. When working with adware samples, researchers must prioritize safety by using isolated environments, following proper procedures, and adhering to legal and ethical guidelines.

The resources outlined in this article provide legitimate avenues for obtaining adware samples for research and educational purposes. By leveraging these resources responsibly, cybersecurity professionals can enhance their understanding of adware behavior, develop more effective detection methods, and contribute to the broader defense against malicious advertising software. As the threat landscape continues to evolve, access to diverse adware samples remains essential for maintaining robust cybersecurity defenses.

Sources

1. ANY.RUN Cybersecurity Blog
2. Lenny Zeltser's Malware Sample Sources
3. GitHub Malware Sample Sources
4. CyberLab Malware Samples for Students