Adware.GonnaSearch

SUMMARY

Behavior

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

Symptoms

Your Symantec antivirus program detects this threat as Adware.GonnaSearch

Transmission

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

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) April 13, 2005
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) April 13, 2005

TECHNICAL DETAILS

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

1. Launches Internet Explorer and creates the following Browser Helper Object (BHO) toolbar:
   
   
   
   
2. Creates the following files:
   
   
   • install.exe
   • autosearch.dll
   • searchaddon.dll
   • toolbar.dll
   • webinfo.dll
   • about.html
   • error.html
   • options.html
   • favicon.ico
   • icons.bmp
   • icons_hot.bmp
   • logo.bmp
   • tb_buttons.xml
   • tb_commands.xml
   • tb_settings.xml
   • toolbar.crc
   • basis.key
   • basis.xml
   • version.txt
     
     
     in the following location:
     
     
   • %ProgramFiles%Internet ExplorerToolbar
     
     Notes:
     
   • The toolbar.dll is a component of Spyware.IEToolbar.
   • %ProgramFiles% is a variable that refers to the program files folder. By default, this is C:Program Files.
     
     
3. Creates the following registry entries:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesAutoSearch.AutoSearchObj
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesAutoSearch.AutoSearchObj.1
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesApplicationsWinRAR.exe
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerToolbar
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerToolbar{92F02779-6D88-4958-8AD3-83C12D86ADC7}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallSoftomate.SoftomateObjIEToolbar
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerExtensions{1AE2F26C-8E23-4930-A68D-9E681A764001}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstall{A55581DC-2CDB-4089-8878-71A080B22342}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstall{E7AFFF2A-1B57-49C7-BF6B-E5123394C970}DisplayName
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstall{799A370D-5993-4887-9DF7-0A4756A77D00}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{799A370D-5993-4887-9DF7-0A4756A77D00}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{E7AFFF2A-1B57-49C7-BF6B-E5123394C970}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{A55581DC-2CDB-4089-8878-71A080B22342}
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERsoftwareSoftomate
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERsoftwareSoftomateIEToolbar
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerURLSearchHooks{A55581DC-2CDB-4089-8878-71A080B22342}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTSoftomate.IEToolbar
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTSoftomate.IEToolbar.1
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{92F02779-6D88-4958-8AD3-83C12D86ADC7}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib{6D3F5DE4-E980-4407-A10F-9AC771ABAAE6}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{7B9A715E-9D87-4C21-BF9E-F914F2FA953F}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTSoftomate.SoftomateObj.1
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTSoftomate.SoftomateObj
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerExtensionsCmdMapping{1AE2F26C-8E23-4930-A68D-9E681A764001}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAutoSearch.AutoSearchObj.1
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAutoSearch.AutoSearchObj
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{A55581DC-2CDB-4089-8878-71A080B22342}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib{C1947E81-7036-4AC8-AC09-906224F6F4FC}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{3D11CBE7-1EEE-4C8F-AB5C-A4CF7939F1F1}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTWebInfo.WebInfoObj.1
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTWebInfo.WebInfoObj
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{E7AFFF2A-1B57-49C7-BF6B-E5123394C970}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib{7E68F5F3-782C-4BCD-88DF-1E3D6350DE4C}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{A1376D2C-12EB-472B-9C8C-DB24448D3C91}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTSearchAddon.IEObject.1
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTSearchAddon.IEObject
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{799A370D-5993-4887-9DF7-0A4756A77D00}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib{F7825D95-CDD7-4E73-BFDC-846DE0F336BE}
   

REMOVAL

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

1. Update the definitions.
2. Unregister the dll files.
3. Run a full system scan.
4. Delete the values that were added to the registry.
5. Delete any related files.
   

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 unregister the dll files

1. Click Start > Run.
2. Type, or copy and paste, each of the following lines of text (depending on the location of the dll.):
   
   regsvr32 /u /s "%ProgramFiles%IEToolbar oolbar.dll"
   regsvr32 /u /s "%ProgramFiles%IEToolbarautosearch.dll"
   regsvr32 /u /s "%ProgramFiles%IEToolbarwebinfo.dll"
   regsvr32 /u /s "%ProgramFiles%IEToolbarsearchaddon.dll"
   
3. If a dialog box confirming this action appears, click OK.

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.GonnaSearch 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.
       
       
3. Navigate to %ProgramFiles% and delete the folder "IEToolbar".
   
   

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.

Note: This is done to make sure that all the keys are removed. They may not be there if regsvr32 removed them.

1. Click Start > Run.
2. Type regedit
   
   Then click OK.
   
   
3. Navigate to and delete the following keys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesAutoSearch.AutoSearchObj
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesAutoSearch.AutoSearchObj.1
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesApplicationsWinRAR.exe
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerToolbar
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerToolbar{92F02779-6D88-4958-8AD3-83C12D86ADC7}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallSoftomate.SoftomateObjIEToolbar
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerExtensions{1AE2F26C-8E23-4930-A68D-9E681A764001}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstall{A55581DC-2CDB-4089-8878-71A080B22342}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstall{E7AFFF2A-1B57-49C7-BF6B-E5123394C970}DisplayName
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstall{799A370D-5993-4887-9DF7-0A4756A77D00}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{799A370D-5993-4887-9DF7-0A4756A77D00}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{E7AFFF2A-1B57-49C7-BF6B-E5123394C970}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{A55581DC-2CDB-4089-8878-71A080B22342}
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERsoftwareSoftomate
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERsoftwareSoftomateIEToolbar
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerURLSearchHooks{A55581DC-2CDB-4089-8878-71A080B22342}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTSoftomate.IEToolbar
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTSoftomate.IEToolbar.1
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{92F02779-6D88-4958-8AD3-83C12D86ADC7}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib{6D3F5DE4-E980-4407-A10F-9AC771ABAAE6}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{7B9A715E-9D87-4C21-BF9E-F914F2FA953F}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTSoftomate.SoftomateObj.1
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTSoftomate.SoftomateObj
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerExtensionsCmdMapping{1AE2F26C-8E23-4930-A68D-9E681A764001}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAutoSearch.AutoSearchObj.1
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAutoSearch.AutoSearchObj
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{A55581DC-2CDB-4089-8878-71A080B22342}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib{C1947E81-7036-4AC8-AC09-906224F6F4FC}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{3D11CBE7-1EEE-4C8F-AB5C-A4CF7939F1F1}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTWebInfo.WebInfoObj.1
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTWebInfo.WebInfoObj
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{E7AFFF2A-1B57-49C7-BF6B-E5123394C970}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib{7E68F5F3-782C-4BCD-88DF-1E3D6350DE4C}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{A1376D2C-12EB-472B-9C8C-DB24448D3C91}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTSearchAddon.IEObject.1
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTSearchAddon.IEObject
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{799A370D-5993-4887-9DF7-0A4756A77D00}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib{F7825D95-CDD7-4E73-BFDC-846DE0F336BE}