Adware.Admess

SUMMARY

Behavior

Adware.Admess opens Web pages and displays advertisements. Both usually have adult content.

Symptoms

The files are detected as Adware.Admess.

Transmission

Adware.Admess has been reportedly downloaded from Web sites.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) June 23, 2004
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) June 19, 2004

TECHNICAL DETAILS

When Adware.Admess is executed, it performs the following actions:

1. Creates the following files:
   • %System% cpservice2.exe
   • %System%wstart.dll
     
     Note: %System% is a variable. Adware.Admess locates the System folder and copies itself to that location. By default, this is C:WindowsSystem (Windows 95/98/Me), C:WinntSystem32 (Windows NT/2000), or C:WindowsSystem32 (Windows XP).
     
     
2. Creates the following registry keys:
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAppID{F6BDB4E5-D6AA-4D1F-8B67-BCB0F2246E21}
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAppIDWStart.DLL
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTWStart.WHttpHelper
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTWStart.WHttpHelper.1
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{9896231A-C487-43A5-8369-6EC9B0A96CC0
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareWSoft
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{9896231A-C487-43A5-8369-6EC9B0A96CC0}
     
     
3. Installs Wstart.dll as a Browser Helper Object, which executes Tcpservice2.exe.
   
4. When you use Internet Explorer to browse the Internet, Adware.Admess will contact a Web site and obtain a list of URLs. Internet Explorer will be redirected to these Web sites.

REMOVAL

The following instructions pertain to all Symantec antivirus products that support Security Risk detection.

1. Update the definitions.
2. Close all open Internet Explorer windows
3. Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as Adware.Admess.
4. Delete the values that were added to the registry.
   

For specific details on each of these steps, read the following instructions.

1. To update the definitions
To obtain the most recent definitions, start your Symantec program and run LiveUpdate.

2. To close all the open Internet Explorer windows
Because Adware.Admess functions as a Microsoft Internet Explorer plugin, it is necessary to close all the open Internet Explorer windows to remove it. If you are reading this writeup in Internet Explorer, print this writeup using our printer friendly option at the top of the page, or write down the following instructions, and then close all the Internet Explorer windows.


3. To scan for and delete the files

1. Start your Symantec antivirus program, and then run a full system scan.
2. If any files are detected as Adware.Admess, click Delete.
   
   
   Note: If your Symantec antivirus product reports that it cannot delete a detected file, write down the path and file name. Then use Windows Explorer to locate and delete the file.
   

4. To delete the values from the registry

WARNING: Symantec strongly recommends that you back up the registry before making any changes to it. Incorrect changes to the registry can result in permanent data loss or corrupted files. Modify the specified keys only. Read the document, "How to make a backup of the Windows registry," for instructions.

1. Click Start > Run.
2. Type regedit
   
   Then click OK.
   
   
3. Navigate to and delete the following keys:
   
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAppID{F6BDB4E5-D6AA-4D1F-8B67-BCB0F2246E21}
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAppIDWStart.DLL
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTWStart.WHttpHelper
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTWStart.WHttpHelper.1
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{9896231A-C487-43A5-8369-6EC9B0A96CC0
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareWSoft
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{9896231A-C487-43A5-8369-6EC9B0A96CC0}
     
     
4. Exit the Registry Editor.