Trackware.MegaSearch

SUMMARY

Behavior

Trackware.MegaSearch is an Internet Explorer toolbar that tracks users Internet activity and sends this information to a third party Web site. It may also hijack searches made in Internet Explorer.

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

Symptoms

One or more files detected as Trackware.MegaSearch.

Transmission

Trackware.MegaSearch must be manually installed.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) February 27, 2005
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) February 24, 2005

TECHNICAL DETAILS

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

1. Creates the following files:
   
   
   • %Temp%MegasearchBarSetup.exe
   • %Windir%Downloaded Program Filesmegasear.dll
   • %ProgramFiles%MEGASEAR TOOLBARUninstall.exe
   • %ProgramFiles%MEGASEAR TOOLBARCache*.bmp
   • %ProgramFiles%XPBARRE ToolbarCache*.bmp
   • %ProgramFiles%XPBARRE ToolbarCacheErrorLog.txt
   • %ProgramFiles%XPBARRE ToolbarCachexpbarretb0300.cfg
     
     Notes:
   • %Temp% is a variable that refers to the Windows temporary folder. By default, this is C:WindowsTEMP (Windows 95/98/Me/XP) or C:WINNTTemp (Windows NT/2000).
   • %Windir% is a variable that refers to the Windows installation folder. By default, this is C:Windows (Windows 95/98/Me/XP)or C:Winnt (Windows NT/2000).
   • %ProgramFiles% is a variable that refers to the program files folder. By default, this is C:Program Files.
     
     
2. Creates the following registry subkeys:
   
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-C0FF-FA7FB592BF30}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-D7EC-ED6DB685A27D}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-D7EC-ED6DB685A27E}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-D7EC-ED6DB685A27F}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTmegasear.MEGASEAR
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTmegasear.MEGASEARMenu ButtonClsid
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTmegasear.MEGASEARToggle Button
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT<DLL FILENAME>.XPBARRE
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT<DLL FILENAME>.XPBARREMenu Button
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT<DLL FILENAME>.XPBARREToggle Button
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallMEGASEAR
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-C0FF-FA7FB592BF30}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-D7EC-ED6DB685A27D}
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMEGASEAR TOOLBAR
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareXPBARRE TOOLBAR
   
   
3. Adds the values:
   
   "{4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-C0FF-FA7FB592BF30}" = "02"
   "{4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-D7EC-ED6DB685A27D}" = "02"
   
   to the registry subkey:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerToolbar
   
   
4. Adds the values:
   
   "{4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-C0FF-FA7FB592BF30}"
   "{4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-D7EC-ED6DB685A27D}"
   
   to the registry subkey:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerToolbarWebBrowser
   
   
5. Adds the value:
   
   "AutoSearch" = "5"
   
   to the registry key
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain

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. Restart the computer in Safe mode or VGA mode.
4. Delete any values 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 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. To run the scan

1. Start your Symantec antivirus program, and then run a full system scan.
   
2. If any files are detected, 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 risk 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 risk 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 risk for this scan only, and thus, the risk 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.
       
       
   • 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 risk 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.
       
       
3. Open Windows Explorer.
   
4. Navigate to and delete the following folders:
   
   
   • %ProgramFiles%MEGASEAR TOOLBARCache*.bmp
   • %ProgramFiles%XPBARRE Toolbar
     
     
5. If you are still in Safe mode, restart the computer in Normal mode before proceeding to the next section.
   
   Warning messages may be displayed when the computer is restarted, since the risk may not be fully removed at this point. You can ignore these messages and click OK. These messages will not appear when the computer is restarted after the removal instructions have been fully completed. The messages displayed may be similar to the following:
   
   Title: [FILE PATH]
   Message body: Windows cannot find [FILE NAME]. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the Start button, and then click Search.

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 subkeys only. Read the document: How to make a backup of the Windows registry.

1. Click Start > Run.
2. Type regedit
   
   Then click OK.
   
   Note: If the registry editor fails to open the risk may have modified the registry to prevent access to the registry editor. Security Response has developed a tool to resolve this problem. Download and run this tool, and then continue with the removal.
   
   
3. Navigate to and delete the following subkeys:
   
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-C0FF-FA7FB592BF30}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-D7EC-ED6DB685A27D}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-D7EC-ED6DB685A27E}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-D7EC-ED6DB685A27F}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTmegasear.MEGASEAR
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTmegasear.MEGASEARMenu ButtonClsid
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTmegasear.MEGASEARToggle Button
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT<DLL FILENAME>.XPBARRE
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT<DLL FILENAME>.XPBARREMenu Button
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT<DLL FILENAME>.XPBARREToggle Button
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallMEGASEAR
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-C0FF-FA7FB592BF30}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-D7EC-ED6DB685A27D}
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMEGASEAR TOOLBAR
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareXPBARRE TOOLBAR
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerToolbar
   {4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-C0FF-FA7FB592BF30}
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerToolbarWebBrowser
   {4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-C0FF-FA7FB592BF30}
   
   
4. Exit the Registry Editor.