ADW_LINKEY.GA
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.SearchSuite.Q (ESET), SearchSuite (McAfee)
Windows
![](/vinfo/imgFiles/legend.jpg)
Threat Type: Adware
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: Yes
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
This adware may be manually installed by a user.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Varies
EXE, DLL
Yes
20 Nov 2014
Arrival Details
This adware may be manually installed by a user.
Other Details
This adware connects to the following possibly malicious URL:
- http://www.{BLOCKED}project.com/app/
- http://www.{BLOCKED}search.net/search?sid={sysid}aid={appid}itype={value}ver={version}tm={value}src=404&p=
- http://www.{BLOCKED}search.net/search?sid={sysid}aid={appid}itype={value}ver={version}tm={value}src=bar
- http://www.{BLOCKED}search.net/search?sid={sysid}aid={appid}itype={value}ver={version}tm={value}src=derr&p=
- http://www.{BLOCKED}search.net/search?sid={sysid}aid={appid}itype={value}ver={version}tm={value}src=ds&p=
- http://www.{BLOCKED}search.net?sid={sysid}aid={appid}itype={value}ver={version}tm={value}src=bar
- http://www.{BLOCKED}search.net?sid={sysid}aid={appid}itype={value}ver={version}tm={value}src=ds&p=
- http://www.{BLOCKED}search.net?sid={sysid}aid={appid}itype={value}ver={version}tm={value}src=hmp
It does the following:
- It may download and install Linkey browser plugins for the following browsers:
- Firefox
- Chrome
- Internet Explorer
SOLUTION
9.700
Step 1
Before doing any scans, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 users must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of their computers.
Step 2
Note that not all files, folders, and registry keys and entries are installed on your computer during this malware's/spyware's/grayware's execution. This may be due to incomplete installation or other operating system conditions. If you do not find the same files/folders/registry information, please proceed to the next step.
Step 3
Identify and terminate files detected as ADW_LINKEY.GA
- Windows Task Manager may not display all running processes. In this case, please use a third-party process viewer, preferably Process Explorer, to terminate the malware/grayware/spyware file. You may download the said tool here.
- If the detected file is displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer but you cannot delete it, restart your computer in safe mode. To do this, refer to this link for the complete steps.
- If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.
Step 4
Remove ADW_LINKEY.GA by using its own Uninstall option
Step 5
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as ADW_LINKEY.GA. If the detected files have already been cleaned, deleted, or quarantined by your Trend Micro product, no further step is required. You may opt to simply delete the quarantined files. Please check this Knowledge Base page for more information.
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