Adware.Savenow

SUMMARY

Behavior

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

Note: Detections dated April 7th, 2005 or earlier may detect components of this adware as Adware.PurityScan.

Symptoms

Files are detected as Adware.Savenow.

Transmission

This adware program must be manually installed The adware may also be installed as a component of another program. In all such cases, the fact that Adware.Savenow will be installed has been made clear in the End-User License Agreement (EULA).

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) August 18, 2003
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) August 18, 2003

TECHNICAL DETAILS

When Adware.Savenow is executed, it does the following:

1. Creates the following files:
   
   
   • %ProgramFiles%SaveSave.exe
   • %ProgramFiles%SaveSave.html
   • %ProgramFiles%SaveReadme.txt
   • %ProgramFiles%SaveSaveUninst.exe
   • %ProgramFiles%VVSNVVSN.exe
   • %ProgramFiles%SaveNowReadme.txt
   • %ProgramFiles%SaveNowSaveNow.exe
   • %ProgramFiles%SaveNowSaveNow.htm
   • %ProgramFiles%SaveNowUninst.exe
   • %ProgramFiles%Xtractor Plushh.html
   • %ProgramFiles%Xtractor Pluseadme.txt
   • %ProgramFiles%Xtractor Plusunins000.dat
   • %ProgramFiles%Xtractor Plusunins000.exe
   • %ProgramFiles%Xtractor Plusxp.exe
   • %ProgramFiles%Xtractor PlusXplus.CNT
   • %ProgramFiles%Xtractor PlusXPLUS.HLP
   • %System%CCRPFTV6.OCX
   • %System%SSubTmr.dll
   • %System%TABCTL32.OCX
   • %System%UNACE.DLL
   • %System%UNRAR.dll
   • %System%Unzip32.dll
   • %Windir%hh.ico
   • %Windir%hhs.url
   • %Windir%Downloaded Program FilesWUInst.dll
   • %UserProfile%Start MenuProgramsWhenULearn More About Save!.url
   • %UserProfile%Start MenuProgramsWhenULearn More About SaveNow.url
   • %UserProfile%Start MenuProgramsWhenUWhenU.com Website.url
     
     Note:
   • %ProgramFiles% is a variable that refers to the program files folder. By default, this is C:Program Files.
   • %System% is a variable that refers to the System folder. By default this is C:WindowsSystem (Windows 95/98/Me), C:WinntSystem32 (Windows NT/2000), or C:WindowsSystem32 (Windows XP).
   • %Windir% is a variable that refers to the Windows installation folder. By default, this is C:Windows or C:Winnt.
     
     
2. Adds the values:
   
   "VVSN" = "%ProgramFiles%VVSNVVSN.exe"
   "SaveNow" = "%ProgramFiles%SaveNowSaveNow.exe"
   "WhenUSave" = "%ProgramFiles%SaveSave.exe"
   
   to one or more of the following registry subkeys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   so that the adware runs every time Windows starts.
   
   
3. Creates the following registry subkeys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREWhenUSave
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallSaveNow
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallWhenUSaveMsg
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallXtractor Plus_is1
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMenuExtFree Software
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTWUSN.1
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{E2F2B9D0-96B9-4B25-B90C-636ECB207D18}
   
   
4. Contacts a server at the whenu.com domain and downloads and displays advertisements.
   
   
5. Tracks Internet browsing habits. However, the collected information is not submitted to the server. It is stored locally on the computer and used to determine which advertisements should be displayed.

REMOVAL

The following instructions pertain to all Symantec antivirus products that support security risk detection.

1. Update the definitions.
2. Uninstall the adware.
3. Run a full system scan.
4. Delete any values added to the registry.
5. Delete files used by this 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 uninstall the Security Risk

1. Do one of the following:
   1. On the Windows 98 taskbar:
      1. Click Start > Settings > Control Panel.
      2. In the Control Panel window, double-click Add/Remove Programs.
         
         
   2. 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."
         
         
   3. On the Windows 2000 taskbar:
      By default, Windows 2000 is set up the same as Windows 98, so follow the instructions for Windows 98. If otherwise, click Start, point to Settings > Control Panel, and then click Add/Remove Programs.
      
      
   4. On the Windows XP taskbar:
      1. Click Start > Control Panel.
      2. In the Control Panel window, double-click Add or Remove Programs.
         
         
2. Click SaveUninst.exe.
   
   
   Note: You may need to use the scroll bar to view the whole list.
   
   
3. Click Add/Remove, Change/Remove, or Remove (this varies with the operating system). Follow the prompts.
   
   Note: After running the Add/Remove programs applet, all the files may have been removed. You will want to run a full system scan to ensure that this is the case. However, it is possible that no files will be detected after using Add/Remove programs.

3. To run the scan

1. Start your Symantec antivirus program, and then run a full system scan.
   
2. If any files are detected, 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 risk 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 risk 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 risk for this scan only, and thus, the risk 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. Restart the computer in Normal mode.
       
       
   • 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 risk 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. Restart the computer in Normal mode.
       

Important: If your Symantec antivirus product reports that it cannot delete a detected file, Windows may be using the file. To fix this, run the scan in Safe mode. For instructions, read the document: How to start the computer in Safe Mode. Once you have restarted in Safe mode, run the scan again.

After the files are deleted, restart the computer in Normal mode and proceed with the next section.

Warning messages may be displayed when the computer is restarted, since the risk may not be fully removed at this point. You can ignore these messages and click OK. These messages will not appear when the computer is restarted after the removal instructions have been fully completed. The messages displayed may be similar to the following:

Title: [File path]
Message body: Windows cannot find [file name]. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the Start button, and then click Search.

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 subkeys only. Read the document: How to make a backup of the Windows registry.

1. Click Start > Run.
2. Type regedit
   
   Then click OK.
   
   Note: If the registry editor fails to open the risk may have modified the registry to prevent access to the registry editor. Security Response has developed a tool to resolve this problem. Download and run this tool, and then continue with the removal.
   
   
3. Navigate to and delete the subkeys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREWhenUSave
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallSaveNow
4. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallWhenUSaveMsg
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallXtractor Plus_is1
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMenuExtFree Software
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTWUSN.1
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{E2F2B9D0-96B9-4B25-B90C-636ECB207D18}
   
   
5. Navigate to the subkeys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   
6. In the right pane, delete the values:
   
   "VVSN" = "%ProgramFiles%VVSNVVSN.exe"
   "SaveNow" = "%ProgramFiles%SaveNowSaveNow.exe"
   "WhenUSave" = "%ProgramFiles%SaveSave.exe"
   
   
7. Exit the Registry Editor.
   

5. Deleting files used by the adware

1. Open Windows Explorer
2. Navigate to and delete the folder %ProgramFiles%Save
3. Navigate to and delete the folder %ProgramFiles%VVSN
4. Navigate to and delete the folder %ProgramFiles%SaveNow
5. Navigate to and delete the folder %ProgramFiles%Xtractor Plus
6. Navigate to and delete the file %UserProfile%Start MenuProgramsWhenULearn More About Save!.url
7. Navigate to and delete the file %UserProfile%Start MenuProgramsWhenULearn More About SaveNow.url
8. Navigate to and delete the file %UserProfile%Start MenuProgramsWhenUWhenU.com Website.url
9. Exit Windows Explorer