Adware.Topotun

SUMMARY

Behavior

Adware.Topotun changes your Internet Explorer home page. It also changes the search options to redirect your search requests to a different Web site.

Symptoms

• Modifies Internet Explorer home page
• Modifies Internet Explorer default search page
• Additional Internet Explorer favorites

Transmission

This adware is reported to be available on the Web.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) March 22, 2004
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) March 22, 2004

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Adware.Topotun performs the following actions:

1. Adds the value:
   
   "olehelp"="%System%olehelp.exe"
   
   to the registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   so that Adware.Topotun runs when you start Windows.
   
   
2. Modifies the values:
   
   "Search Bar"="http:/ /topotun.com/sp.htm"
   "Search Page"="http:/ /topotun.com/index.htm"
   "Start Page"="http:/ /topotun.com/index.htm"
   
   in the registry key:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain
   
   
3. Modifies the value to:
   
   default="http:/ /topotun.com/index.htm"
   
   in the registry key:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerSearchUrl
   
   
4. Adds the following Favorites to Internet Explorer:
   • FREE HIDDEN CAMS WORLD
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   • FREE WEB CAMS CHATS
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REMOVAL

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

1. Update the definitions.
2. Delete the value that was added to the registry.
3. Reset the Internet Explorer home page.
4. Reset the search page.
5. Remove the added Favorites.
6. Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as Adware.Topotun.
   

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. 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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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 value:
   
   "olehelp"="%System%olehelp.exe"
   
   
5. Exit the Registry Editor.
   
   
6. Restart the computer.

3. Resetting the Internet Explorer home page

1. Start Microsoft Internet Explorer.
2. Connect to the Internet, and then go to the page that you want to set as your home page.
3. Click the Tools menu > Internet Options.
4. In the Home page section of the General tab, click Use Current, and then click OK.
5. Select Favorites.
6. Delete the favorites that the threat added.

4. Resetting the Internet Explorer Search page
Follow the instructions for your version of Windows.

Windows 98/Me/2000

1. Start Microsoft Internet Explorer.
2. Click the Search button on the toolbar.
3. In the Search pane, click Customize.
4. Click Reset.
5. Click Autosearch Settings.
6. Select a search site from the drop-down list, and then click OK.
7. Click OK.

Windows XP
Because Windows XP is set by default to use animated characters in the search, how you perform this can vary. Read all the instructions before you start.

1. Start Microsoft Internet Explorer.
2. Click the Search button on the toolbar.
3. Do one of the following:
   • If the pane that opens looks similar to this picture:
     
     
     
     
     click the word Customize. Then skip to step h.
     
     
   • If the pane that opens has the words "Search Companion" at the top and the center looks similar to this picture:
     
     
     
     
     
     click the "Change preferences" link as shown above. Proceed to step d.
     
     
4. Click the "Change Internet search behavior" link.
5. Under "Internet Search Behavior," click "With Classic Internet Search."
6. Click OK. Then close Internet Explorer. (You must close the program for the change to take effect.)
7. Start Internet Explorer. When the search pane opens, it should now look similar to this:
   
   
   
   
   Click the word Customize and go on to the next step.
   
   
8. In the Search pane, click Customize.
9. Click Reset.
10. Click Autosearch Settings.
11. Select a search site from the drop-down list, and then click OK.
12. Click OK.
13. Do one of the following:
    • If you were using (or want to continue using) the "Classic Internet Search" panel, stop here (or proceed to the next section).
    • If you want to go back to the "Search Companion" search (it usually has an animated character at the button), proceed to step n.
      
      
14. Click the word Customize again.
15. In the "Customize Search Settings" window, click "Use Search Companion," and then click OK.
16. Close Internet Explorer. The next time that you open it, it will again use the Search Companion.

5. Removing the added Favorites

1. Start Microsoft Internet Explorer.
2. Click the Favorites menu > Organize Favorites.
3. Delete the following:
   • FREE HIDDEN CAMS WORLD
   • FREE SPY CAM
   • FREE WEB CAMS CHATS
   • GET THIS 4 FREE

6. Scanning for and deleting the files

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

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   Note: 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.

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