Adware.DownloadPlus

SUMMARY

Behavior

Adware.DownloadPlus is an adware program that connects to a predetermined site and displays pop-ups advertisements.

Symptoms

The files are detected as Adware.DownloadPlus.

Transmission

This adware program must be manually installed. However, there are several known programs that have Adware.DownloadPlus within them, and that can install it when the program itself is installed.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) December 23, 2003
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) December 22, 2003

TECHNICAL DETAILS

When Adware.DownloadPlus is executed, the installer does the following:

1. Copies itself into the folder:
   
   %AppData%DownloadPlus.exe
   
   

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   Note: %AppData% is a variable. The Adware.DownloadPlus locates the Application Data folder of the currently logged-in user and copies itself to that location. By default, this is C:WindowsProfiles<Loged-in User>Application Data (Windows 95/98/Me), C:Documents and Settings<Loged-in User>Application Data (Windows NT/2000/Windows XP).

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2. Creates the registry key:
   
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwarex7A69
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwarex7A69Message Center
     
     and adds several values to it.
     
     
3. Creates a shortcut in the Startup folder of the Start menu.
   
   
4. Attemps to connect to a predetermined site and display pop-up advertisements.

REMOVAL

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

1. Update the definitions.
2. Delete the value that was added to the registry.
3. Delete the shortcut from the Startup folder.
4. Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as Adware.DownloadPlus.
   

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. Deleting the value from the registry

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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.

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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 and delete the key:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERsoftwarex7A69
   
   
   

3. Deleting the shortcut

1. Navigate to the folder:
   
   %Windir%Start MenuProgramsStartup
   
   
2. Delete the shortcut for Download Plus.
   

4. Scanning for and deleting the files

1. Start Norton AntiVirus and make sure that it is configured to scan all the files. For more information, read the document, "How to configure Norton AntiVirus to scan all files."
   
2. Run a full system scan.
   
3. If any files are detected as Adware.DownloadPlus, click Delete.
   
   

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   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.

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