Spyware.GhostKeyLog

SUMMARY

Behavior

The Spyware.GhostKeyLog program captures keystrokes.

Symptoms

The files are detected as Spyware.GhostKeyLog.

Transmission

Spyware.GhostKeyLog must be manually installed.

Protection

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

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Spyware.GhostKeyLog captures keystrokes and saves them in an encrypted log file. The log file can be locally viewed with an Internet browser and Wordpad, or it can emailed to a specified receiver.

The spyware has the following features:

• Silently sends log file by email
• Customizable filter settings
• Logs accessed URLs
• Keeps track of open programs and their activities

The default hot-key combination is Ctrl+Alt+Shift+G and can be customized.

When Spyware.GhostKeyLog is run, it performs the following actions:

1. Adds the value:
   
   "Synchronization Agent"="%ProgramFiles%Sync Manager Demoagentsyncagent.exe"
   
   to the registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   so the spyware runs when Windows is started.
   
   Note: %ProgramFiles% is a variable that refers to the path to the program files folder. By default, this is C:Program Files.
   
2. Creates the folders:
   • %ProgramFiles%Sync Manager Demo
   • %ProgramFiles%Sync Manager Demoagent
     
     These folders store related files.
     
     
3. Creates the following files:
   • %ProgramFiles%Sync Manager Demologfile.cip (This is the encrypted log file)
   • %ProgramFiles%Sync Manager Demoagentsyncagent.cfg
   • %Windir%System32Msxver64.sqr
     
     Note: %Windir% is a variable. By default, this is C:Windows or C:Winnt.
     

REMOVAL

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

1. Update the definitions.
2. Run a full system scan.
3. 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 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.GhostKeyLog 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.
       
       
3. Using Windows Explorer, navigate to the Program Files folder. By default this is C:Program Files.
4. Delete the Sync Manager Demo folder.
5. Navigate to the %Windir%System32 folder.
   
   Note: %Windir% is a variable. By default, this is C:Windows or C:Winnt.
   
6. Delete the file Msxver64.sqr.
7. Exit Windows Explorer.

3. 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
   
   Then click OK.
   
   
3. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   
4. In the right pane, delete the value:
   
   "Synchronization Agent"="%ProgramFiles%Sync Manager Demoagentsyncagent.exe"
   
   
5. Exit the Registry Editor.