Adware.GatorClone

SUMMARY

Behavior

Adware.GatorClone displays advertisements during Web browsing.

Symptoms

Your Symantec product detects Adware.GatorClone.

Transmission

This adware must be manually installed.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) June 30, 2004
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) June 26, 2004

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Adware.GatorClone performs the following actions when executed:

1. Creates a randomly named .dll file in the %Temp% folder and injects the file into running processes. This .dll file will restart the adware program if the adware program is terminated.
   
   
2. Adds the value:
   
   <Filename of Adware> = <Path to Adware>
   
   to the registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   
3. Contacts a remote server for advertisements and instructions, and displays pop-up ads.

REMOVAL

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

1. Update the definitions.
2. Restart the computer in Safe mode
3. Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as Adware.GatorClone.
4. Delete the value that was 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 restart the computer in Safe mode
Shut down the computer and turn off the power. Wait for at least 30 seconds, and then restart the computer in Safe mode or VGA mode. For instructions, read the document, "How to start the computer in Safe Mode."

3. To scan for and delete the files

1. Start your Symantec antivirus program and run a full system scan.
2. If any files are detected as Adware.GatorClone, click Delete.
   
   
   Note: If your Symantec antivirus product reports that it cannot delete a detected file, note the path and file name. Then use Windows Explorer to locate and delete the file.
   

4. To delete 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.

1. Click Start > Run.
2. Type regedit
   
   Then click OK.
   
   
3. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   
4. In the right pane, delete the value:
   
   "<Filename of Adware>"="<Path to Adware>"
   
   
5. Restart the computer in Normal mode. For instructions, read the section on returning to Normal mode in the document, "How to start the computer in Safe Mode."