Spyware.DesktopD

SUMMARY

Behavior

Spyware.DesktopD is a program that logs keystrokes and URLs, and captures screenshots.

Note: Detections dated March 18th, 2005 or earlier may detect this spyware as Spyware.DesktopD.B.

Symptoms

The files are detected as Spyware.DesktopD.

Transmission

Spyware.DesktopD must be manually installed.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) August 11, 2004
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) August 7, 2004

TECHNICAL DETAILS

When Spyware.DesktopD is installed, it does the following:

1. Displays the product information.
   
   
2. Displays the license agreement.
   
   
3. Installs itself in one of the following folders:
   
   
   • %ProgramFiles%Desktop Detective 2000 Home Edition
   • %ProgramFiles%Desktop Detective 2000 Professional Edition
     
     Note: %ProgramFiles% is a variable that refers to the path to the program files folder. By default, this is C:Program Files.
     
     
4. May create some of the following files in one of the above folders:
   
   
   • DDClient.dll: Key hook DLL.
   • DDClient.exe: Main logger and configuration file. Detected as Spyware.DesktopD.
   • DDController.exe: Main logger and configuration file. Detected as Spyware.DesktopD.
   • Release Notes.txt: Documentation.
   • Licence.txt: License information.
   • Help.doc: Help file.
   • DDConfig.sys: Configuration settings.
   • ddimg.dat: Log file.
   • ddimg.bif: Log file.
   • ddimg.bdf: Log file.
   • ddimg.idx: Log file.
   • ddkey.dat: Log file.
   • ddkey.idx: Log file.
   • ddnet.dat: Log file.
   • ddnet.idx: Log file.
   • DDEventLog.txt: Log file.
     
     
5. Adds the value:
   
   "DD2SERVICE" = "%ProgramFiles%Desktop Detective 2000 Home EditionDDClient.exe /autostart"
   
   or
   
   "DD2KPECLIENT" = "%ProgramFiles%Desktop Detective 2000 Home EditionDDClient.exe /autostart"
   
   to the registry subkey:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   so that the spyware runs when you start Windows.
   
   
6. May create one of the following registry subkeys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareITEECOMDD2000
   
   or
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareITEECOMDD2KPE
   
   
7. May perform some of the following actions:
   
   
   • Capture screenshots
   • Log keystrokes
   • Monitor Internet Explorer

REMOVAL

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

1. Update the definitions.
2. Restart the computer in Safe mode.
3. Run a full system scan.
4. Delete the value that was 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.
   
2. If any files are detected as Spyware.DesktopD 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.
       
       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.
       
       
   • 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.
       
       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.

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 keys only. Read the document, "How to make a backup of the Windows registry," for instructions.

1. Click Start > Run.
2. Type regedit, and then click OK.
3. Navigate to the subkey:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   
4. In the right plane, delete the value:
   
   "DD2SERVICE" = "%ProgramFiles%Desktop Detective 2000 Home EditionDDClient.exe /autostart"
   
   or
   
   "DD2KPECLIENT" = "%ProgramFiles%Desktop Detective 2000 Home EditionDDClient.exe /autostart"
   
   
5. Navigate to and delete the subkey:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareITEECOMDD2000
   
   or
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareITEECOMDD2KPE
   
   
6. Exit the Registry Editor.