Adware.Buddylinks

SUMMARY

Behavior

When you run Adware.Buddylinks, it sends instant messages to everyone in your instant messenger "buddy list."

These messages contain links to a Web site from which users can download and run the program.

Symptoms

Your computer sends instant messages that include a link to www.wgutv.com/osama_capture.php?.

Transmission

The software must be manually downloaded.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) February 11, 2004
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) February 11, 2004

TECHNICAL DETAILS

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

1. Creates the folder, %ProgramFiles%uddylinks.net
   
   and creates the following files in this folder:
   
   • Blpref.exe
   • Uninst.exe
     
     

     ---

     Note: %ProgramFiles% is a variable that refers to the path to the program files folder. By default, this is C:Program Files.

     ---

     
     
2. Creates the folder, %ProgramFiles%Buddylinks.netGamesSaddam Game
   
   and creates the following files in that folder:
   
   • Disabled.jpg
   • Down.jpg
   • Mask.bmp
   • Normal.jpg
   • Over.jpg
   • Saddam.swf
   • Shell.exe (detected as Adware.Buddylinks)
   • Skin.ini
   • Uninst.exe
     
     
3. May create the folder %ProgramFiles%Common FilesPSD Tools
   
   and create the following files into that folder:
   
   • ChannelUp.exe
   • Blaim.dll (detected as Adware.Buddylinks)
   • Blengine.dll (detected as Adware.Buddylinks)
   • Blengine.exe (detected as Adware.Buddylinks)
   • Bldll.exe (detected as Adware.Buddylinks)
     
     
4. Adds the value:
   
   "PSD Tools Channel"="%ProgramFiles%Common FilesPSD ToolsChannelUp.exe"
   
   to the registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   so that the adware runs when you start Windows.
   
   
5. Sends instant messages to members of your AOL Instant Messenger buddy list, if such a list exists. It may also send instant messages to members of buddy lists belonging to other instant messaging programs.
   
   
6. Adds the entry Programs/buddylinks.net to your Start menu.

REMOVAL

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

1. Update the definitions.
2. Uninstall Adware.Buddylinks using the Add/Remove Programs utility.
3. Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as Adware.Buddylinks.
4. Delete the value that was added to the registry.
   

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

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

2. Uninstalling the Adware

1. Do one of the following:
   • On the Windows 98 taskbar:
     1. Click Start > Settings > Control Panel.
     2. In the Control Panel window, double-click Add/Remove Programs.
        
        
   • On the Windows Me taskbar:
     1. Click Start > Settings > Control Panel.
     2. In the Control Panel window, double-click Add/Remove Programs.
        If you do not see the Add/Remove Programs icon, click "...view all Control Panel options."
        
        
   • On the Windows 2000 taskbar:
     By default, Windows 2000 is set up the same as Windows 98. In that case, follow the instructions for Windows 98. Otherwise, click Start, point to Settings, point to Control Panel, and then click Add/Remove Programs.
     
     
   • On the Windows XP taskbar:
     1. Click Start > Control Panel.
     2. In the Control Panel window, double-click Add or Remove Programs.
        
        
2. Click "PSD Tools ChannelUp v1.0 (remove only)."
   
   

   ---

   Note: You may need to use the scroll bar to view the whole list.

   ---

   
   
3. Click Add/Remove, Change/Remove, or Remove (this varies with the operating system). Follow the prompts.
   
   
4. Click "PSDT Messaging Integration."
   
   

   ---

   Note: You may need to use the scroll bar to view the whole list.

   ---

   
   
5. Click Add/Remove, Change/Remove, or Remove (this varies with the operating system). Follow the prompts.
   

3. Scanning for and deleting the files

1. Start your Symantec antivirus program and run a full system scan.
2. If any files are detected as Adware.Buddylinks, click Delete.
   
   

   ---

   Notes:

• 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.
• If you ran the Add/Remove programs applet as described in the previous section, it is possible that all the files were removed, and therefore none will be detected.

  ---

4. Deleting the value 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.

---

---

Note: This is done to make sure that all the keys are removed. They may not be there if the uninstaller removed them.

---

1. Click Start, and then click Run. (The Run dialog box appears.)
2. Type regedit
   
   Then click OK. (The Registry Editor opens.)
   
   
3. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   
4. In the right pane, delete the value:
   
   "PSD Tools Channel"="%ProgramFiles%Common FilesPSD ToolsChannelUp.exe"
   
   
5. Exit the Registry Editor.