Adware.iPend

SUMMARY

Behavior

Adware.iPend is an adware program that changes keywords in Web pages when a user is browsing the Web so that they become links to another Web site.

Adware.iPend periodically checks for, downloads, and executes updates to itself.

Symptoms

• Files detected as Adware.iPend.
• Internet Explorer crashes randomly.
• Unusual amount of links (unrelated to the current Web site) in Web pages that all point to the same advertisement link.
• The existence of any of the files listed in the "Technical Details" section.

Transmission

Adware.iPend is usually installed when a Web site is visited. It may also be installed as a component of other programs. As the installation is silent, these Web sites or programs are responsible for displaying any kind of End User License Agreement (EULA) that would notify the user of the installation.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) October 29, 2003
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) October 24, 2003

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Adware.iPend consists of the following components:

• Ip.dll (A Browser Helper object.)
• Mach.exe (An updater component.)
• Cu.exe (An updater component.)
• Min.rpf (A configuration file.)
• Mach.csv (A configuration file.)

Once installed, Adware.iPend performs the following actions:

1. Monitors browsing habits and searches for Web pages that contain a list of keywords. The keywords are stored in the configuration file Min.rpf.
   
   Note: The configuration files are only text files and are not detected as Adware.iPend.
   
   
2. If a match is found, the keyword is changed to a link that points to a particular Web site.
   
   
3. Creates some of the following registry subkeys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareIPend
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorer
   Browser Helper Objects{8D91ECD1-2A29-41B8-9988-FD892F07F859}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTWebBehavior.WebBehaviorBHO.1
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTWebBehavior.WebBehaviorBHO
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTWebBehavior.WebBehaviorAPP.1
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTWebBehavior.WebBehaviorAPP
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{8D91ECD1-2A29-41B8-9988-FD892F07F859}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{0054AD19-7E4E-4AE4-B275-20F237280F5C}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib{F6907B2E-DAA6-4330-A8E0-3C22E3815795}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{8A8591C8-CE97-4207-A6FB-8D5BF7B7C056}
   
   
4. Checks for updates to itself on the following Web site:
   
   [http://]ipend.datastorm.biz/[REMOVED]

REMOVAL

The following instructions pertain to all Symantec antivirus products that support security risk detection.

1. Update the definitions.
2. Unregister the ip.dl file.
3. Run a full system scan.
4. Delete any values added to the registry.
   

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

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

2. To unregister the ip.dl file

1. Click Start > Run.
2. Type the following:
   
   regsvr32 /u c:windowsip.dll
   
   
3. Click OK.

3. To run the scan

1. Start your Symantec antivirus program, and then run a full system scan.
   
2. If any files are detected, and depending on which software version you are using, you may see one or more of the following options:
   
   Note: This applies only to versions of Norton AntiVirus that support security risk detection. If you are running a version of Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition that supports security risk detection, and security risk detection has been enabled, you will only see a message box that gives the results of the scan. If you have questions in this situation, contact your network administrator.
   
   • Exclude (Not recommended): If you click this button, it will set the risk so that it is no longer detectable. That is, the antivirus program will keep the security risk on your computer and will no longer detect it to remove from your computer.
     
     
   • Ignore or Skip: This option tells the scanner to ignore the risk for this scan only. It will be detected again the next time that you run a scan.
     
     
   • Cancel: This option is new to Norton Antivirus 2005. It is used when Norton Antivirus 2005 has determined that it cannot delete a security risk. This Cancel option tells the scanner to ignore the risk for this scan only, and thus, the risk will be detected again the next time that you run a scan.
     
     To actually delete the security risk:
     • Click its file name (under the Filename column).
     • In the Item Information box that displays, write down the full path and file name.
     • Then use Windows Explorer to locate and delete the file.
       
       If Windows reports that it cannot delete the file, this indicates that the file is in use. In this situation, complete the rest of the instructions on this page, restart the computer in Safe mode, and then delete the file using Windows Explorer. Restart the computer in Normal mode.
       
       
   • Delete: This option will attempt to delete the detected files. In some cases, the scanner will not be able to do this.
     • If you see a message, "Delete Failed" (or similar message), manually delete the file.
     • Click the file name of the risk that is under the Filename column.
     • In the Item Information box that displays, write down the full path and file name.
     • Then use Windows Explorer to locate and delete the file.
       
       If Windows reports that it cannot delete the file, this indicates that the file is in use. In this situation, complete the rest of the instructions on this page, restart the computer in Safe mode, and then delete the file using Windows Explorer. Restart the computer in Normal mode.
       

Important: If your Symantec antivirus product reports that it cannot delete a detected 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.

After the files are deleted, restart the computer in Normal mode and proceed with the next section.

Warning messages may be displayed when the computer is restarted, since the risk may not be fully removed at this point. You can ignore these messages and click OK. These messages will not appear when the computer is restarted after the removal instructions have been fully completed. The messages displayed may be similar to the following:

Title: [File path]
Message body: Windows cannot find [file name]. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the Start button, and then click Search.

4 To delete the value from 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. Navigate to and delete the subkeys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareIPend
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorer
   Browser Helper Objects{8D91ECD1-2A29-41B8-9988-FD892F07F859}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTWebBehavior.WebBehaviorBHO.1
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTWebBehavior.WebBehaviorBHO
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTWebBehavior.WebBehaviorAPP.1
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTWebBehavior.WebBehaviorAPP
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{8D91ECD1-2A29-41B8-9988-FD892F07F859}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{0054AD19-7E4E-4AE4-B275-20F237280F5C}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib{F6907B2E-DAA6-4330-A8E0-3C22E3815795}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{8A8591C8-CE97-4207-A6FB-8D5BF7B7C056}
   
   
4. Exit the Registry Editor.