Adware.CSearch

SUMMARY

Behavior

Adware.CSearch installs as an Internet Explorer Browser Helper Object and redirects Internet settings to searchmain.com.

Symptoms

Your Symantec program detects Adware.CSearch.

Transmission

Adware.CSearch may be downloaded as a component of another program.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) April 16, 2005
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) April 14, 2005

TECHNICAL DETAILS

When Adware.CSearch is installed, it performs the following actions:

1. Creates the following registry keys:
   
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{064CB07A-9ECD-46FD-8E10-1D3C5FF218CA}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{D8FA0364-7866-40A7-B340-A6069265AD9F}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{09C33C5E-2B76-47FE-B97B-9788235A3876}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{F250A919-FB4B-4120-9F2E-E5FE03FB8202}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib{DEB0BC8B-7405-4B97-9489-89D72C27678A}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCsearch.Band
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCsearch.Band.1
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCsearch.Redirect
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCsearch.Redirect.1
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{D8FA0364-7866-40A7-B340-A6069265AD9F}
   %HKEY_ALL_USERS%SoftwareISTechnologies
   
   Note: %HKEY_ALL_USERS% refers to all user entries in HKEY_USERS.
   
   
2. Adds the value:
   
   {D8FA0364-7866-40A7-B340-A6069265AD9F}
   
   to the following registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerToolbar
   
   
3. Adds the value:
   
   "(default)" = "http:/ /www.searchmain.com/searching/?d=%s"
   
   to the registry subkey:
   
   HKEY_ALL_USERSSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerSearchUrl
   
   
4. Sets the value:
   
   "Search Page" = "http:/ /www.searchmain.com/"
   
   in the registry subkeys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain
   HKEY_ALL_USERSSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain
   
   
5. Set the value:
   
   "CustomizeSearch" = "http:/ /www.searchmain.com/"
   
   in the registry subkey:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerSearch
   
   
6. Sets the value:
   
   "DefaultSearchURL" = "http:/ /www.searchmain.com/searching/?d=%s"
   
   in the registry subkey:
   
   HKEY_ALL_USERSSoftwareMicrosoftSearch Assistant

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.
4. Reverse the changes that were made to the registry.
5. Delete any added lines from the system Hosts file.
6. Reset the Internet Explorer home page.
7. Reset the Internet Explorer search page.

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

1. To update the definitions
Symantec Security Response fully tests all the virus definitions for quality assurance before they are posted to our servers. There are two ways to obtain the most recent virus definitions:

• Running LiveUpdate, which is the easiest way to obtain virus definitions: These virus definitions are posted to the LiveUpdate servers once each week (usually on Wednesdays), unless there is a major virus outbreak. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by LiveUpdate, refer to the Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate).
• Downloading the definitions using the Intelligent Updater: The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are posted daily. You should download the definitions from the Symantec Security Response Web site and manually install them. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by the Intelligent Updater, refer to the Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater).
  
  The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are available: Read "How to update virus definition files using the Intelligent Updater" for detailed instructions.

2. To close all open Internet Explorer windows
Because Adware.CSearch 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 run the scan
a. Start your Symantec antivirus program, and then run a full system scan.

a. If any files are detected as Adware.CSearch you may see one or more of the following options:

Note: This applies only to versions of Norton AntiVirus that support Security Risk detection. If you are running a version of Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition that supports Security Risk detection, and Security Risk detection has been enabled, you will only see a message box that gives the results of the scan. If you have questions in this situation, contact your network administrator.
• Exclude (Not recommended): If you click this button, it will set the threat so that it is no longer detectable. That is, the antivirus program will keep the security risk on your computer and will no longer detect it to remove from your computer.
  
• Ignore or Skip: This option tells the scanner to ignore the threat for this scan only. It will be detected again the next time that you run a scan.
  
• Cancel: This option is new to Norton Antivirus 2005. It is used when Norton Antivirus 2005 has determined that it cannot delete a security risk. This Cancel option tells the scanner to ignore the threat for this scan only, and thus, the threat will be detected again the next time that you run a scan.
  
  To actually delete the security risk:
  • Click its file name (under the Filename column).
  • In the Item Information box that displays, write down the full path and file name.
  • Then use Windows Explorer to locate and delete the file.
    
    If Windows reports that it cannot delete the file, this indicates that the file is in use. In this situation, complete the rest of the instructions on this page, restart the computer in Safe mode, and then delete the file using Windows Explorer.
    
• Delete: This option will attempt to delete the detected files. In some cases, the scanner will not be able to do this.
  • If you see a message, "Delete Failed" (or similar message), manually delete the file.
  • Click the file name of the threat that is under the Filename column.
  • In the Item Information box that displays, write down the full path and file name.
  • Then use Windows Explorer to locate and delete the file.
    
    If Windows reports that it cannot delete the file, this indicates that the file is in use. In this situation, complete the rest of the instructions on this page, restart the computer in Safe mode, and then delete the file using Windows Explorer.

4. To reverse changes made to the registry
Important: 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
   
   Click OK.
   
3. Navigate to and delete the following keys:
   
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{064CB07A-9ECD-46FD-8E10-1D3C5FF218CA}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{D8FA0364-7866-40A7-B340-A6069265AD9F}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{09C33C5E-2B76-47FE-B97B-9788235A3876}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{F250A919-FB4B-4120-9F2E-E5FE03FB8202}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib{DEB0BC8B-7405-4B97-9489-89D72C27678A}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCsearch.Band
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCsearch.Band.1
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCsearch.Redirect
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCsearch.Redirect.1
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{D8FA0364-7866-40A7-B340-A6069265AD9F}
   HKEY_ALL_USERSSoftwareISTechnologies
   
   
4. Navigate to the subkey:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerToolbar
   
   
5. In the right pane, delete the value:
   
   {D8FA0364-7866-40A7-B340-A6069265AD9F}
   
   
6. Navigate to the subkey and restore the value if appropriate:
   
   HKEY_ALL_USERSSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerSearchUrl
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerSearch
   HKEY_ALL_USERSSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain
   
   
7. Exit the Registry Editor.