Adware.TopMoxie

SUMMARY

Behavior

Adware.TopMoxie is a memory-resident program that displays pop-up advertisements when you visit particular Web sites.

Symptoms

The files are detected as Adware.TopMoxie.

Transmission

Adware.TopMoxie must be manually installed.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) December 23, 2003
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) December 22, 2003

TECHNICAL DETAILS

The Adware.TopMoxie installer does the following:

1. Creates one of the following folders:
   
   • %ProgramFiles%Couponsandoffers
   • %Program Files%WebSavingsFromEbates
     
     Note:
   • %ProgramFiles% is a variable that refers to the program files folder. By default, this is C:Program Files.
   • Adware.TopMoxie also creates a number of files and subfolders in that folder.
     
     
2. Adds either the value:
   
   "couponsandoffers" = "wjview /cp:p "C:Program Filescouponsandoffers
   SystemCode" Main lp: "C:Program Filescouponsandoffers"
   
   or
   
   "WebSavingsFromEbates" = "javaw -cp "C:Program FilesWebSavingsFromEbatesSystemCode" main pl: "C:Program FilesWebSavingsfromEbates"
   
   to the registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   so that the risk runs every time Windows starts.
   
   
3. Executes the Main.class module.
   
   Note: The Main.class module will remain memory-resident, monitoring Web usage and displaying advertisements based on keyword matches.
   
   
4. May update itself, by downloading and replacing the original installed software with Adware.MoeMoney

REMOVAL

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

1. Update the definitions.
2. Uninstall "Coupons and Offers" using the Add/Remove Programs utility.
3. Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as Adware.TopMoxie.
4. Delete the value that was added to the registry.
5. Delete any remaining files relating to Adware.TopMoxie
   

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

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

2. Uninstalling the Adware

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 instructions 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 "Coupons and offers" or "Web Savings From Ebates"
   
   

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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. Scanning for and deleting the 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.TopMoxie, click Delete.
   
   

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   Notes:

• If your Symantec antivirus product reports that it cannot delete a detected file, write down the path and file name. Then use Windows Explorer to locate and delete the file.
• This is done to make sure that all the files were removed. 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 none will be detected.

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4. Deleting the 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 is done 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
   
   Then click OK. (The Registry Editor opens.)
   
   
3. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   
4. In the right pane, delete the appropriate value:
   
   "couponsandoffers" = "wjview /cp:p "C:Program Filescouponsandoffers
   SystemCode" Main lp: "C:Program Filescouponsandoffers"
   
   "WebSavingsFromEbates" = "javaw -cp "C:Program FilesWebSavingsFromEbatesSystemCode" main pl: "C:Program FilesWebSavingsfromEbates"
   
   
5. Exit the Registry Editor.

5. Navigate to one of the folder described in Technical Details, Step 1 and delete the folder and its contents.