Trackware.Marketdart

SUMMARY

Behavior

Marketdart is an advertising company that primarily focuses on financial services. The Marketdart Trackware redirects all searches to ie.marketdart.com. There is evidence that Trackware.Marketdart can cause Web pages to be redirected, with the redirection rules contained in a file on their site at:
http:/ /www.marketdart.com/files/md.txt.

Note: Virus definitions dated prior to May 3, 2006 may detect this as Spyware.Marketdart.

Symptoms

One or more files is detected as Trackware.Marketdart.

Transmission

Marketdart IE plugin can be installed either through an ActiveX installer or manually.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) December 1, 2004
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) November 24, 2004

TECHNICAL DETAILS

When Trackware.Marketdart is executed, it performs the following actions:

1. Creates the following files:
   
   %Program Files%mdmd.exe
   
   
2. Adds the value:
   
   "MD IE Plugin"="%ProgramFiles%MDmd.exe"
   
   to the registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   so that the Trackware runs every time Windows starts.
   
   
3. Modifies the values:
   
   "User Search Asst"="http:/ /ie.marketdart.com"
   "Search Page"="http:/ /ie.marketdart.com"
   "Search Bar"="http:/ /ie.marketdart.com"
   "Default_Search_URL"="http:/ /ie.marketdart.com"
   "SearchURL"="http:/ /ie.marketdart.com"
   
   in the registry key:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain
   
   
4. Modifies the values:
   
   "SearchAssistant"="http:/ /ie.marketdart.com"
   "CustomizeSearch"="http:/ /ie.marketdart.com"
   
   in the registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain
   
   
5. Modifies the values:
   
   "Search Page"="http:/ /ie.marketdart.com"
   "Default_Search_URL"="http:/ /ie.marketdart.com"
   
   in the registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerSearch
   
   
6. Modifies the value:
   
   "provider"="http:/ /ie.marketdart.com"
   
   in the registry key:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerSearchUrl
   

REMOVAL

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

1. End the malicious process.
2. Update the definitions.
3. Run a full system scan.
4. Delete the value that was added to the registry.
5. Reset the values that were modified in the registry.
   

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

1. To end the malicious process

Windows 95/98/Me

To end the malicious process:
1. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete once.
2. Find md.exe in the resulting list that pops up.
3. Click End Task.

Windows NT/2000/XP
To end the malicious process:
1. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete once.
2. Click Task Manager.
3. Click the Processes tab.
4. Double-click the Image Name column header to alphabetically sort the processes.
5. Scroll through the list and look for md.exe.
6. If you find the file, click it, and then click End Process.
7. Exit the Task Manager.
   

2. To update the definitions
To obtain the most recent definitions, start your Symantec program and run LiveUpdate.

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 Trackware.Marketdart 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
   
   Then click OK.
   
   
3. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   
4. In the right pane, delete the value:
   
   "MD IE Plugin"="%ProgramFiles%MDmd.exe"
   
   
5. Exit the Registry Editor.

5. To reset the values that were modified in 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_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain
   
   Delete the values:
   "User Search Asst"
   "Search Bar"
   "SearchURL"
   "Default_Search_URL"
   
   
4. Set the value:
   
   "Search Page"="http:/ /www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&ar=iesearch"
   
   
5. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerSearch
   
   
6. Set the values:
   
   "SearchAssistant"="http:/ /ie.search.msn.com/{SUB_RFC1766}/srchasst/srchasst.htm"
   "CustomizeSearch"="http:/ /ie.search.msn.com/{SUB_RFC1766}/srchasst/srchcust.htm"
   
   
7. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain
   
   
8. Set the values:
   
   "Search Page"="http:/ /www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&ar=iesearch"
   "Default_Search_URL"="http:/ /www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&ar=iesearch"
   
   
9. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerSearchUrl
   
   
10. Set the value:
    
    "provider"
    
    
11. In the right pane, delete the value:
    
    "MD IE Plugin"="%ProgramFiles%MDmd.exe"
    
    
12. Exit the Registry Editor.