Adware.WinProtect

SUMMARY

Behavior

Adware.WinProtect is an adware program that displays Taskbar messages.

Symptoms

Your Symantec program detects Adware.WinProtect.

Transmission

This adware program must be manually installed.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) March 23, 2005
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) March 21, 2005

TECHNICAL DETAILS

When Adware.WinProtect is executed, it does the following:

1. Creates the following files:
   
   
   • %Windir%HelpCHMRedir.chm
   • %Windir%alloon.wav
     
     Note: %Windir% is a variable that refers to the Windows installation folder. By default, this is C:Windows or C:Winnt.
     
     
2. Creates the following registry subkeys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesCLSID[{XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXX}]
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesCLSID[{XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXX}]Data
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesCLSID[{XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXX}]LocalServer
   
   Note: [{XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXX} ] is a random value generated by the security risk in CLSID format.
   
   
3. Adds the value:
   
   "@" = "[path to adware]"
   
   to the registry subkey:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesCLSID[{XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXX}]LocalServer
   
   
4. Adds the value:
   
   "[adware filename]" = "[path to adware file]"
   
   to the registry subkey:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   
5. Adds random values to the registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesCLSID[{XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXX}]Data
   
   
6. Displays fake pop-up messages stating that suspicious network activity was detected. Clicking "OK" on this pop-up opens a browser to a webpage advertising anti-spyware software.
   
   
7. Displays messages from the Taskbar at random intervals, such as the following:
   
   

REMOVAL

The following instructions pertain to all current and recent Symantec antivirus products, including the Symantec AntiVirus and Norton AntiVirus product lines.

1. Disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP).
2. Update the virus definitions.
3. Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as Adware.WinProtect.
4. Delete the values added to the registry.

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

1. To disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP)
If you are running Windows Me or Windows XP, we recommend that you temporarily turn off System Restore. Windows Me/XP uses this feature, which is enabled by default, to restore the files on your computer in case they become damaged. If a virus, worm, or Trojan infects a computer, System Restore may back up the virus, worm, or Trojan on the computer.

Windows prevents outside programs, including antivirus programs, from modifying System Restore. Therefore, antivirus programs or tools cannot remove threats in the System Restore folder. As a result, System Restore has the potential of restoring an infected file on your computer, even after you have cleaned the infected files from all the other locations.

Also, a virus scan may detect a threat in the System Restore folder even though you have removed the threat.

For instructions on how to turn off System Restore, read your Windows documentation, or one of the following articles:

• How to disable or enable Windows Me System Restore
• How to turn off or turn on Windows XP System Restore

Note: When you are completely finished with the removal procedure and are satisfied that the threat has been removed, re-enable System Restore by following the instructions in the aforementioned documents.

For additional information, and an alternative to disabling Windows Me System Restore, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article: Antivirus Tools Cannot Clean Infected Files in the _Restore Folder (Article ID: Q263455).


2. To update 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 daily. 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 latest Intelligent Updater virus definitions can be obtained here: Intelligent Updater virus definitions. For detailed instructions read the document: How to update virus definition files using the Intelligent Updater.

3. To scan for and delete the infected files

1. Start your Symantec antivirus program and make sure that it is configured to scan all the files.
   • For Norton AntiVirus consumer products: Read the document: How to configure Norton AntiVirus to scan all files.
   • For Symantec AntiVirus Enterprise products: Read the document: How to verify that a Symantec Corporate antivirus product is set to scan all files.
2. Run a full system scan.
3. If any files are detected as infected with Adware.WinProtect, take note of the filename, and click Delete.
   
   Note: If your Symantec antivirus product reports that it cannot delete an infected file, Windows may be using the file. To fix this, run the scan in Safe mode. For instructions, read the document: How to start the computer in Safe Mode. Once you have restarted in Safe mode, run the scan again.
   
   When all the infected files have been deleted, restart the computer in Normal mode.
   
4. Manually delete the following files:
   
   • %WinDir%HelpCHMRedir.chm
   • %WinDir%alloon.wav
     
     
5. To delete the values added to 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 subkeys only. Read the document: How to make a backup of the Windows registry.

1. Click Start > Run.
2. Type regedit
   
   Then click OK.
   
   Note: If the registry editor fails to open the risk may have modified the registry to prevent access to the registry editor. Security Response has developed a tool to resolve this problem. Download and run this tool, and then continue with the removal.
   
   
3. Right-click on the subkey HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, then click Find.
4. Type in the filename detected in step 3, and click Find Next.
5. In the left pane, delete the subkey:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesCLSID[{XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXX}]
   
   where [{XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXX}]\LocalServer contains the value:
   
   "@" = "[path to adware file]"
   
   
6. Navigate to and delete the subkey:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   
7. In the right pane, delete the value:
   
   "[adware filename]" = "[path to adware file]"
   
   Note: [adware filename] is the filename detected in Step 3.
   
   
8. Exit the Registry Editor.