Adware.Vanish

SUMMARY

Behavior

Adware.Vanish is an adware component that changes the default home page and search settings in Internet Explorer. It also attempts to download files, including executables.

Symptoms

The files are detected as Adware.Vanish.

Transmission

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) October 22, 2003
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) October 16, 2003

TECHNICAL DETAILS

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

1. Modifies the default home page and search settings in Internet Explorer.
   
   
2. Adds the value:
   
   "syscm" = %original file path%
   
   to the registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   
3. Accesses and downloads files from www.vanishonline.com, including executables, possibly to update itself.

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Note: www.vanishonline.com did not appear to be a valid Web address at the time of this analysis.

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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. Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as Adware.Vanish.
3. Delete the value from the Registry.
4. Restore the Internet Explorer settings.
   

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. 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.Vanish, click Delete.
   
   

3. Deleting the value 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
   
   
4. In the right pane, delete any values that refer to:
   
   "syscm"
   
   
5. Exit the Registry Editor.
   
   

4. Restoring the Internet Explorer settings

1. Start Microsoft Internet Explorer.
2. Connect to the Internet and go to the page that you want to set as your home page.
3. Click Tools > Internet Options.
4. In the Home page section of the General tab, click Use Current > OK.
5. Click the Programs tab > Reset Web Settings.