WinRAR is software used to compress files in order to save space on your hard drive. It can minimize the size of downloaded files from both the Internet and email attachments. Supported file types include CAB, ZIP, TAR and more. For a single user license, you will need to pay $29 for WinRAR. Check out these alternatives instead.

Scammers are now using Google AdWords to distribute malware. The new campaign uses the service to spread a compromised copy of the popular WinRAR compression software, directing anyone who clicks their ad links to a fake version of Download.com where they are prompted to download the software.

When downloaded, the user does indeed receive a full copy of WinRAR, but with malware along for the ride. The installation also installs a program called explore.exe into the system32 folder. The program immediately performs a browser hijack by altering the hosts file so that popular homepage sites like Yahoo.com and Google.com instead point to a fake Microsoft Security Center site.