Adware.Fastfind.B

SUMMARY

Behavior

Adware.Fastfind is an Internet Explorer plug-in that may be used to display targeted advertisements.

Symptoms

Your Symantec program detects files as Adware.Fastfind.B.

Transmission

Adware.Fastfind.B is usually installed with another application.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) November 3, 2004
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) November 3, 2004

TECHNICAL DETAILS

When Adware.Fastfind.B is loaded, it performs the following actions:

1. Creates the following registry keys:
   
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib{12DA4940-557B-4DAB-A1CC-E7FE615C2F89}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{A8C761D6-31F2-429A-BF1F-63B416AC87EA}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{F11126AB-5429-42A3-8FA4-D4899D23A8EA}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{79C03BC5-6C55-4B5B-921F-C02B6F1ABD7B}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{EFF3CD67-D0B6-42D5-A68D-3F2268ED3D80}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTG1.HJJ
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTG1.GZ
   
   
2. Monitors outgoing search engine queries.
   
   
3. Downloads advertisements from www.fastfind.org.
   
   
4. Adds the value:
   
   "Pribi.exe"="%SystemDrive%Documents and SettingsAll UsersApplication DataPribiPribi.exe"
   
   to the registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   so that the Adware runs every time Windows starts.
   
   
   Note: %SystemDrive% is a variable that refers to the drive on which Windows is installed. By default, this is drive C.

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 registry keys associated with the adware.
   

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.Fastfind functions as a Microsoft Internet Explorer plug-in, it is necessary to close all 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 Internet Explorer windows.

3. To run the scan

1. Start your Symantec antivirus program, and then run a full system scan.
   
   Note: If you ran the Add/Remove programs applet as described in the previous section, all the files may have been removed, and thus none of them will be detected.
   
2. If any files are detected as Adware.Fastfind.B, 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 value 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_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   
4. In the right pane, delete following the value, if present:
   
   "Pribi.exe"="%SystemDrive%Documents and SettingsAll UsersApplication DataPribiPribi.exe"
   
5. Navigate to and delete the following keys:
   
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib{12DA4940-557B-4DAB-A1CC-E7FE615C2F89}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{A8C761D6-31F2-429A-BF1F-63B416AC87EA}
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{F11126AB-5429-42A3-8FA4-D4899D23A8EA}
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{79C03BC5-6C55-4B5B-921F-C02B6F1ABD7B}
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{EFF3CD67-D0B6-42D5-A68D-3F2268ED3D80}
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTG1.HJJ
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTG1.GZ