Adware.Magicads

SUMMARY

Behavior

Adware.Magicads is a browser helper object that is used to display pop-up advertisements.

Symptoms

The files on the system are detected as Adware.Magicads. These files have reportedly been found in the Windows folder, though it is possible that they may be found elsewhere.

Transmission

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

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) October 8, 2003
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) October 2, 2003

TECHNICAL DETAILS

When Adware.Magicads is executed, it may perform the following actions:

1. Periodically connects to a predefined Web server on port 80.
   
   
2. Creates the following registry keys:
   

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTIRDIXA.IRDIXAObj
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{f760cb9e-c60f-4a89-890e-fae8b849493e}
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{D3455579-49DF-419F-A151-77B176C0EF93}
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib{ECCCA763-FD3B-4E16-A529-BE6B29F5EC09}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{f760cb9e-c60f-4a89-890e-fae8b849493e}

REMOVAL

This adware program must be manually installed.

Note: Removing this adware component from the system will likely cause the program that installed it to not function as intended. The uninstaller generally identifies the programs that will not work after uninstallation.

1. Update the virus definitions.
2. Uninstall the Adware.
3. Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as Adware.Magicads.
   

For specific details on each of these steps, read the following instructions.

1. Updating the virus definitions
Symantec Security Response fully tests all the virus definitions for quality assurance before they are posted to our servers. There are two ways to obtain the most recent virus definitions:

• Running LiveUpdate, which is the easiest way to obtain virus definitions: These virus definitions are posted to the LiveUpdate servers once each week (usually on Wednesdays), unless there is a major virus outbreak. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by LiveUpdate, refer to the Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate).
• Downloading the definitions using the Intelligent Updater: The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are posted on U.S. business days (Monday through Friday). You should download the definitions from the Symantec Security Response Web site and manually install them. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by the Intelligent Updater, refer to the Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater).
  
  The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are available: Read "How to update virus definition files using the Intelligent Updater" for detailed instructions.

2. Uninstalling the Adware

1. Click Start.
   
2. Click Run.
   
3. Type, or copy and paste, the following into the text box:
   
   rundll32 madise.dll,DllUnregisterServer
   
   Note: If the .dll file is found as a different filename, make the appropriate substitution.
   
   
4. Click OK.

3. 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 Adware.MagicAds, click Delete.
4. Delete the Madise.dll and MaAd.exe files from the Windows folder, if found.