Adware.SmartPops

SUMMARY

Behavior

Adware.SmartPops displays advertisements that are related to the Web sites that you visit.

Symptoms

The files are detected as Adware.SmartPops.

Transmission

This adware must be manually installed.

Protection

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

TECHNICAL DETAILS

When Adware.SmartPops is run, it does the following:

1. Creates the file NE.dll.
   
   
2. Registers NE.dll as a Browser Helper Object (BHO). This BHO monitors the Web sites that you go to and displays advertisements that are related to those Web sites.
   
   
3. Adds the following registry keys:
   
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTsoftwaremicrosoftwindowscurrentversionexplorerrowser helper objects{0421701d-cf13-4e70-adf0-45a953e7cb8b}
   
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTclsid{0421701d-cf13-4e70-adf0-45a953e7cb8b}
   
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTsoftwaremicrosoftwindowscurrentversionexplorerrowser helper objects{d5c778f1-cf13-4e70-adf0-45a953e7cb8b}
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINEclsid{0421701d-cf13-4e70-adf0-45a953e7cb8b}
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINEclsid{d5c778f1-cf13-4e70-adf0-45a953e7cb8b}
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINEsoftwaremicrosoftwindowscurrentversionexplorerrowser helper objects{0421701d-cf13-4e70-adf0-45a953e7cb8b}
   

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.
4. Delete the values that were 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 run the scan

1. Start your Symantec antivirus program, and then run a full system scan.
   
2. If any files are detected as Adware.SmartPops 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.
       
       
   • 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.
       
       

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.

1. Click Start > Run.
2. Type regedit
   
   Then click OK.
   
   
3. Delete the following registry keys:
   
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTsoftwaremicrosoftwindowscurrentversionexplorerrowser helper objects{0421701d-cf13-4e70-adf0-45a953e7cb8b}
   
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTclsid{0421701d-cf13-4e70-adf0-45a953e7cb8b}
   
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTsoftwaremicrosoftwindowscurrentversionexplorerrowser helper objects{d5c778f1-cf13-4e70-adf0-45a953e7cb8b}
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINEclsid{0421701d-cf13-4e70-adf0-45a953e7cb8b}
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINEclsid{d5c778f1-cf13-4e70-adf0-45a953e7cb8b}
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINEsoftwaremicrosoftwindowscurrentversionexplorerrowser helper objects{0421701d-cf13-4e70-adf0-45a953e7cb8b}