Adware.TSAdbot

SUMMARY

Behavior

Adware.TSAdbot is an adware component, which connects to an advertisement server of Conducent Technologies, downloads new advertisements and displays flashing ad banners and full screen ads. This adware may also record your Web browser history, cache files, and other personal information.

Symptoms

The files on the system are detected as Adware.TSAdbot.

Transmission

This adware component must be manually installed or installed as a component of another software, such as the Windows version of PKZIP.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) September 24, 2003
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) September 24, 2003

TECHNICAL DETAILS

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

1. Copies itself to C: Program FilesTimeSinkAdGatewayTSADBOT.exe.
   
   
2. If the complete adware is installed, it may drop one or more of the following .dll files to the Windows root folder or System directory:
   • Tsad.dll
   • Vcpdll.dll
   • FlexActv.dll
   • Addon2VB.dll
     
     
3. Adds a value that contains one of the following:
   
   "Conducent"
   "Timesink"
   "Tsadbot.exe"
   
   to the registry keys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunServices
   
   
4. Creates one or more of the following new registry keys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWARETimeSink,Inc.
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWARETimeSink
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWARETimeSink
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWARETimeSink,Inc.
   
   
5. If the complete adware is installed, it adds a value that contains one of the following:
   
   "FlexAct"
   "Tsad.dll"
   "Vcpdll.dll"
   "Tsadbot.exe"
   "Addon2VB.dll"
   
   to the registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionShareddlls
   
   
6. Connects to an advertisement server of Conducent Technologies, downloads new advertisements, and displays flashing ad banners and fullscreen advertisements.
   
   
7. May track your browser history, cache files, and other personal information.

REMOVAL

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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.

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1. Update the virus definitions.
2. Restart in Safe mode.
3. Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as Adware.TSAdbot.
4. Delete the values or keys from the registry.
   

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. Restarting 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. 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.TSAdbot, click Delete.
4. If the full version of the adware is installed, you may need to delete the following .dll files in the Windows root diretory or system directory:
   tsad.dll, vcpdll.dll, FlexActv.dll, Addon2VB.dll.
   

4. Deleting the values from the registry

CAUTION: 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, and then click Run. (The Run dialog box appears.)
2. Type regedit
   
   Then click OK. (The Registry Editor opens.)
   
   
3. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunServices
   
   NOTE: Both keys may not exist on all systems
   
   
4. In the right pane, delete any values pertaining to the string "Conducent" or "Timesink" or "Tsadbot.exe" .
   
   
5. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionShareddlls
   
   
6. In the right pane, delete any values pertaining to the string contains "FlexAct" or "tsad.dll" or "vcpdll.dll" or "tsadbot.exe" or "Addon2VB.dll".
   
   
7. Delete the following registry keys if they exist:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWARETimeSink,Inc.
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWARETimeSink
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWARETimeSink
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWARETimeSink,Inc.
   
   
8. Exit the Registry Editor.