SOSO DESK

Posted by Lisa Blanc on August 8, 2016

What is SOSO DESK?

SOSO DESK’s promotional slogan states that it is “A free & small device manager.” However, our research has shown that it is a potentially unwanted program that you might want to remove because it will not provide you with a service that can improve your computing experience. Its primary function is to search for files on your PC which is hardly a unique service, but we are more concerned with the fact that it can secretly install malicious programs. Such an action is, of course, unacceptable and even though this particular application is not a malicious we do not recommend using it. test test test

Where does SOSO DESK come from?

Our malware analysts have tested this application and also obtained additional information about it and so we are going to lay it out for you starting with its origins. They found that this program’s files have been signed by a company called Bysenda Technology Inc. It is a Hong Kong-based company known for releasing shady software. We have encountered some of its previous releases that include Guntony, a Chromium-based web browser that our security experts have classified as a potentially unwanted program as well. Furthermore, it has released at least one browser hijacker called Safepage.easyfiletool.com that comes with an application called EasyFileTool.

We want to inform you that Bysenda Technology Inc is a fake company name because SOSO DESK comes from the same developers that created Picexa whose files were signed by Taiwan Shui Mu Chih Ching Technology, Uncheckit whose files were signed by Evangel Technology (HK) Limited, and several other applications that have been deemed potentially unwanted. Researchers have determined that Uncheckit and Picexa can come bundled with malware and they definitely come with browser hijackers from the Elex family. So this program’s origins are as shady as they get and you should know that it is a potential security risk.

We have no information that could suggest that SOSO DESK is being bundled with third-party installers and installed on computers without the user’s consent. Researchers have only found one distribution method currently used to distribute this program. It has a dedicated website at Sosodesktop.com that hosts its standalone installer. Hence, it is not distributed using dishonest means, but that does not mean that it is off the hook just yet.

What does SOSO DESK do?

When you download its installer, SOSO DESK offers you to install Search.sosodesk.com as Chrome’s homepage and search provider. However, you cannot install the application without agreeing to install the search engine which is dishonest because it is the same as not giving you a choice at all. Our security analysts have concluded that Search.sosodesktop.com is a browser hijacker. You can read more about it on our website if you want, just enter its name in the search box. Now let us take a look at this program’s features.

Truth be told, SOSO DESK works as promised, but it offers nothing that is not already built into Windows. In fact, this program interacts with the OS and uses its features to give you the impression that it provides a useful service. Basically, it is a re-skinned version of a built-in Windows feature, so there is no need to have this application whatsoever.

Now, let us discuss this program’s functionality and features in greater detail. First of all, it is a primitive, basic application. You can configure it to launch on system startup; press Alt+S keys to hide its search box while on desktop; customize, add, and delete the directories for searching for files; customize, add, and delete the file formats that it can search for. So these are the basic functions and features of this program, and they do not look impressive.

The primary reason we have classified this program as potentially unwanted is the fact that we have received reports claiming that it secretly downloads and installs malicious software, usually browser hijackers from the Elex browser hijacker family. Also, it is considered as potentially unwanted because it leaves junk files when you uninstall it. Given all of the information provided in this description it is clear as day that this application is no good and, therefore, we recommend that you uninstall it.

How to remove SOSO DESK

In closing, SOSO DESK is one sneaky application as it is presented as a unique and useful tool, but it is not very practical and it only makes use of built-in Windows features which is dishonest to say the least. Furthermore, the possibility of it secretly installing malware such as browser hijackers makes it highly undesirable. So we invite you to remove it using the instructions below.