Spyware.WinGuardian

SUMMARY

Behavior

Spyware.WinGuardian is a monitoring utility that secretly records all the activities on the computer.

Symptoms

The files are detected as Spyware.WinGuardian.

Transmission

This spyware must be manually installed.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) August 11, 2004
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) August 10, 2004

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Spyware.WinGuardian is a Windows-monitoring utility that runs stealthily and records all the activities.

This program logs what programs are run, text that is typed into the programs, Web sites visited, and captures screenshots.

When Spyware.WinGuardian is installed and run, it performs the following actions:

1. Adds the value:
   
   "System"="C:WINNTsystemsysctrl.exe /a"
   
   to the registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   so that the spyware is run every time that Windows starts.
   
   
2. Adds the following subkey:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareCPNE
   
   and adds several registry values to this subkey.
   
   
3. Creates the following files:
   • %SystemDrive%WindowsSystemsystem.in
   • %SystemDrive%WindowsSystemwglogssystem.lg
   • %SystemDrive%WindowsSystemwglogssc
   • %SystemDrive%WindowsSystemaup.in
   • %SystemDrive%WindowsSystemimg.jpg
   • %SystemDrive%WindowsSystemmessage.in
   • %SystemDrive%WindowsSystemkeyhook.dll
   • %SystemDrive%WindowsSystemsysctrl.exe
   • %SystemDrive%WindowsSystemchapinfo.txt
   • %SystemDrive%WindowsSystemunchap.drv
   • %SystemDrive%WindowsSystemsysfiles.in
   • %SystemDrive%WindowsSystemsys.exe
   • %SystemDrive%WindowsSystemsys.htm
     
     Note: %SystemDrive% is a variable that refers to the drive on which the Windows installation resides. By default, this is drive C.
     
     
4. Runs stealthily in the background. To view the logs and change settings, you must use hot keys. The default hot keys are Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Y.
   
   
5. Can be set to block specific Web sites.
   
   
6. Send logs to an email address.

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.
   
2. If any files are detected as Spyware.WinGuardian, 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. 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:
   
   "System"="C:WINNTsystemsysctrl.exe /a"
   
   
5. Navigate to and delete the key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareCPNE
   
   
6. Exit the Registry Editor.