Spyware.ActivMonAgent

SUMMARY

Behavior

When Spyware.ActivMonAgent is installed, it allows a networked computer to monitor and control the system.

Symptoms

The files are detected as Spyware.ActivMonAgent.

Transmission

A networked computer with administrator privileges can manually or remotely install this program.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) July 21, 2004
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) July 20, 2004

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Spyware.ActivMonAgent is a component of a commercial spyware package. A networked computer with administrator privileges can manually or remotely install this component. When this component is installed on a host system, it allows the monitoring system to:

• Monitor and log key strokes, applications, and any activity on the host system
• View and terminate any process on the host system
• View real-time screenshots of the host system
• Run programs on the host system
• Log off the user of the host system
• Shut down the host system
• Send messages to the host system
• Open Web sites and documents on the host system

When Spyware.ActivMonAgent is installed, it performs the following actions:

1. Creates the following files:
   • amaware.dll: A backdoor component.
   • awmsg.dat: A file that includes a disclaimer. This file will not be detected, as it is not malicious.
   • dconsole.dll: A backdoor component.
   • ijl15.dll: A valid JPEG dll.
   • guid.dat: This file will not be detected, as it is not malicious.
   • mfc42.dll: A valid Microsoft dll.
   • msvcrt.dll: A valid Microsoft dll.
   • slgr.dll: A keylogger component.
   • swkbhkl.dll: A process-monitoring component.
   • swmain.dll: A backdoor component.
   • swsys.exe: A backdoor component.
   • unins000.dat: This file will not be detected, as it is not malicious.
   • unins000.exe: The uninstaller. This file will not be detected, as it is not malicious.
   • winam.dat: This file will not be detected, as it is not malicious.
     
     Note: These files will be in C:Program FilesAMSys by default, but the installer may select a different location.
     
     
2. Adds the value:
   
   "SWClient" = "C:Program FilesAMSysswsys.exe"
   
   to the registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   so that the spyware runs when you start Windows.
   
   
3. Adds the value:
   
   "swsys.exe" = "swsys.exe"
   
   to the registry keys:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionGroup Policy ObjectsLocalMachineSoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftPCHealthErrorReportingExclusionList
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftPCHealthErrorReportingExclusionList
   
   to disable Microsoft error reporting for this program.
   
   
4. Adds the following registry subkey:

"WinL"

to the registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWARE

REMOVAL

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

Important: This is a general removal procedure. This application may include an uninstallation tool named "unins000.exe" located in the installation folder. We suggest that, before you attempt to remove this spyware using the following instructions, try to uninstall it using the provided uninstaller.

1. Update the definitions.
2. Restart the computer in Safe mode.
3. Run a full system scan.
4. Delete the values that were 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 restart the computer in Safe mode
Shut down the computer and turn off the power. Wait for at least 30 seconds, and then restart the computer in Safe mode or VGA mode. For instructions, read the document, "How to start the computer in Safe Mode."

3. To run the scan

1. Start your Symantec antivirus program, and then run a full system scan.
   
   Note: If you ran the Add/Remove programs applet as described in the previous section, all the files may have been removed, and thus none of them will be detected.
   
2. If any files are detected as Spyware.ActivMonAgent 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 threat 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 threat 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 threat for this scan only, and thus, the threat 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.
       
       
   • 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 threat 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.
       
       
3. Using Windows Explorer, delete the following files if they exist:
   • C:Program FilesAMSysawmsg.dat
   • C:Program FilesAMSysijl15.dll
   • C:Program FilesAMSysguid.dat
   • C:Program FilesAMSysmfc42.dll
   • C:Program FilesAMSysmsvcrt.dll
   • C:Program FilesAMSysunins000.dat
   • C:Program FilesAMSysunis000.exe
   • C:Program FilesAMSyswinam.dat
     
     
4. Using Windows Explorer, delete the following folder if it exists:
   
   C:Program FilesAMSys

4. To delete the values from the registry

a. Click Start > Run.

b. Type regedit

Then click OK.

c. Navigate to the key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun

d. In the right pane, delete the value:

"SWClient" = "C:Program FilesAMSysswsys.exe"

e. Navigate to the key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionGroup Policy ObjectsLocalMachineSoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftPCHealthErrorReportingExclusionList

f. In the right pane, delete the value:

"swsys.exe" = "swsys.exe"

g. Navigate to the key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftPCHealthErrorReportingExclusionList

h. In the right pane, delete the value:

"swsys.exe" = "swsys.exe"

i. Navigate to the key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWARE

j. In the left pane, delete the subkey:

"WinL"

k. Exit the Registry Editor.


l. Restart the computer in normal mode.