Adware.CoolWebSearch

SUMMARY

Behavior

Adware.CoolWebSearch is a program that redirects your Internet Explorer searches.

Symptoms

Your Symantec antivirus program detects this threat as Adware.CoolWebSearch.

Transmission

This Adware program must be manually installed or installed as a component of another program.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) August 18, 2004
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) August 18, 2004

TECHNICAL DETAILS

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

1. Copies itself as %System%Services<executed filename>.
   
   Note: %System% is a variable that refers to the System folder. By default, this is C:WindowsSystem (Windows 95/98/Me), C:WinntSystem32 (Windows NT/2000), or C:WindowsSystem32 (Windows XP).
   
   
2. Creates the following entry in the file %Windir%System.ini:
   
   [windows]
   load=%sysdir%services<executed filename>
   
   
3. Adds the value:
   
   "xpsystem"="%System%services<executed filename>"
   
   to the following registry keys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   so that the adware runs when Windows is started.
   
   
4. Adds the value:
   
   "run"="%Sysdir%services<executed filename>"
   
   to the registry key:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionWindows
   
   so that the adware runs when Windows NT/2000/XP is started.
   
   
5. Registers itself as a Browser Helper Object, by adding the subkey:
   
   {5321E378-FFAD-4999-8C62-03CA8155F0B3}
   
   to the registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects
   
   and setting multiple values in the registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesCLSID{5321E378-FFAD-4999-8C62-03CA8155F0B3}
   
   
6. Adds the values:
   
   ProxyEnabled = 0
   MigrateProxy = 1
   ProxyEnabled = 0
   
   to the registry key:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftwindowsCurrentVersionInternet Settings
   
   
7. Adds the value:
   
   ProxyBypass = 1
   IntranetNames = 1
   UNCAIntranet = 1
   
   to the registry key:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftwindowsCurrentVersionInternet SettingsoneMap
   
   
8. May redirect search queries made in Microsoft Internet Explorer to an advertising Web site.

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. 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 open Internet Explorer windows
Because Adware.CoolWebSearch 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

1. Start your Symantec antivirus program, and then run a full system scan.
   
2. If any files are detected as Adware.CoolWebSearch and depending on which software version you are using, 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 delete the values from 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
   
   Then click OK.
   
   
3. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   
4. In the right pane, delete the value:
   
   "xpsystem"=<path to the adware>
   
   
5. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects
   
   
6. In the left pane, delete the subkey:
   
   {5321E378-FFAD-4999-8C62-03CA8155F0B3}
   
   
7. Do one of the following:
   • If you are using Windows 95/98/Me, exit the registry editor and proceed to the next section.
   • If you are using Windows NT/2000/XP, navigate to the key:
     
     HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionWindows
     
     
8. In the right pane, delete the value:
   
   "run"="%Sysdir%services<executed filename>"
   
   
9. Exit the Registry Editor.