Spyware.Hotra

SUMMARY

Behavior

Spyware.Hotra monitors Internet browsing habits by periodically sending the current URL (in Internet Explorer) to a Web site that the Spyware designates.

Symptoms

• The system hangs for long periods of time while browsing the Internet.
• Your firewall blocks the files, as listed in the File names section below, from accessing specific Web sites.

Transmission

Spyware.Hotra is installed on the system when you visit a Web site.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) November 12, 2003
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) November 10, 2003

TECHNICAL DETAILS

When Spyware.Hotra is executed, it does the following:

1. Creates the value:
   
   "Hotdog"="<path to Spyware.Hotra>"
   
   in the registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   
2. Contacts a Web site to download configuration information. (As of this writing, these Web sites appear to be down.)
   
   
3. After Spyware.Hotra obtains the configuration information, it periodically searches for an Internet Explorer window, from which it steals the current URL and sends it to a remote Web site.

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 or VGA mode.
3. Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as Spyware.Hotra.
4. Delete the value that was added to the registry.
   

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

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

2. Restarting the computer in Safe mode or VGA 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 Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, or XP users, restart the computer in Safe mode. For instructions, read the document, "How to start the computer in Safe Mode."
• For Windows NT 4 users, restart the computer in VGA mode.

3. Scanning for and deleting the files

1. Start Norton AntiVirus and make sure that it is configured to scan all the files. For more information, read the document, "How to configure Norton AntiVirus to scan all files."
2. Run a full system scan.
3. If any files are detected as Spyware.Hotra, click Delete.
4. Optional: Locate and delete the files:
   • hotdogid.ini,
   • extra_config_url.txt,
   • extra_notify_url.txt,
   • config_url.txt,
   • notify_url.txt
   • lsetting.conf
     

4. Deleting the value from the registry

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WARNING: 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.

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1. Click Start, and then click Run. (The Run dialog box appears.)
2. Type regedit
   
   Then click OK. (The Registry Editor opens.)
   
   
3. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   
4. In the right pane, delete the value:
   
   "Hotdog"
   
   
5. Exit the Registry Editor.