Adware.HelpExpress

SUMMARY

Behavior

Adware.HelpExpress is an adware program that downloads and displays advertisements.

Symptoms

The files are detected as Adware.HelpExpress.

Transmission

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

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) December 3, 2003
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) December 1, 2003

TECHNICAL DETAILS

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

1. Installs several files into the folder:
   
   C:Program FilesAlset NetworkHelpExpress<Login Username>
   
   

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   Note: <Login Username> is a variable. The installer uses the name of the user who is logged onto the system as the folder name.

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2. Creates the keys:
   
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareAlset
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallHelpExpress
     
     
3. Adds the value:
   
   "HELPEXP.EXE" = "C:Program FilesAlset NetworkHelpExpress<Login Username>ClientHelpExp.exe"
   
   to the registry key:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   
4. Displays the following window:
   
   
   
   
   
5. Downloads and displays advertisements.

REMOVAL

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

1. Update the virus definitions.
2. Uninstall the adware using the Add/Remove Programs utility.
3. Delete the key and value that were added to the registry.
4. Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as Adware.HelpExpress.

1. Updating the definitions
To obtain the most recent definitions, start your Symantec program and run LiveUpdate.

2. Uninstalling the Adware

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Notes:
This is provided for your convenience. For detailed information, go to the publishers Web site: http://www.alsetresearch.com/alset/support.htm
It has been reported that the uninstall may not remove all folders in all cases.

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1. Do one of the following:
   • On the Windows 98 taskbar:
     1. Click Start > Settings > Control Panel.
     2. In the Control Panel window, double-click Add/Remove Programs.
        
        
   • On the Windows Me taskbar:
     1. Click Start > Settings > Control Panel.
     2. In the Control Panel window, double-click Add/Remove Programs.
        If you do not see the Add/Remove Programs icon, click "...view all Control Panel options."
        
        
   • On the Windows 2000 taskbar:
     By default, Windows 2000 is set up the same as Windows 98. In that case, follow the instruction for Windows 98. Otherwise, click Start, point to Settings, point to Control Panel, and then click Add/Remove Programs.
     
     
   • On the Windows XP taskbar:
     1. Click Start > Control Panel.
     2. In the Control Panel window, double-click Add or Remove Programs.
        
        
2. Click HelpExpress.
   
   

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   Note: You may need to use the scroll bar to view the whole list.

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3. Click Add/Remove, Change/Remove, or Remove (this varies with the operating system). Follow the prompts.

3. Deleting the key and 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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Note: This action is performed to make sure that all the keys are removed. They may not be there if the uninstaller removed them.

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1. Click Start, and then click Run. (The Run dialog box appears.)
   
   
2. Type regedit
   
   and then click OK. (The Registry Editor opens.)
   
   
3. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftware
   
   
4. Delete the subkey: Alset
   
5. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstall
   
   

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   Note: In most cases, this key will not be found on Windows 98 systems.

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6. Delete the subkey: HelpExpress
   
   
7. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   
8. Delete the value:
   
   "HELPEXP.EXE" = "C:Program FilesAlset NetworkHelpExpress<Login Username>ClientHelpExp.exe"
   
   
9. Exit the Registry Editor.

4. Scanning for and deleting the infected 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 infected with Adware.HelpExpress, click Delete.
4. Using Windows Explorer, look for, and if found, delete the C:Program FilesAlsetHelpExpress folder.
   
   

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   Notes:

• If your Symantec antivirus product reports that it cannot delete a detected file, write down the path and file names. Then use Windows Explorer to locate and delete the file.
• If you ran the Add/Remove programs applet as described in the previous section, it is possible that all the files were removed, and therefore, they will not be detected.
  

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