ADWARE_WHENU

 Analysis by: Christopher Daniel So

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 SYSTEM IMPACT RATING:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Adware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This adware may be dropped by other malware. It may be manually installed by a user.

It displays pop-up advertisements.

It comes with an uninstall package that completely removes the files it dropped and the registries it created.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

Varies

File Type:

PE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

28 Apr 2008

Arrival Details

This adware may be dropped by other malware.

It may be manually installed by a user.

Installation

This adware drops the following file(s)/component(s):

  • %Program Files%\ClockSync\Sync.exe
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools SearchBar\whse.exe
  • %Program Files%\Save\SaveUninst.exe
  • %Program Files%\WeatherCast\Weather.exe
  • %Program Files%\WhenUSearch\whse.exe
  • %System%\aamd532.dll
  • %System%\MSInet.ocx
  • %Windows%\system\gif89.dll
  • %Windows%\system\MSCOMCTL.OCX
  • %Windows%\system\Msstdfmt.dll
  • %Windows%\system\riched32.dll
  • %Windows%\system\SimpleRegistry.dll

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files.. %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\System32 on Windows NT and 2000, or C:\Windows\System32 on Windows XP and Server 2003.. %Windows% is the Windows folder, which is usually C:\Windows or C:\WINNT.)

It creates the following folders:

  • %Application Data%\UControl
  • %Program Files%\ClockSync
  • %Program Files%\Common Files\UControl
  • %Program Files%\Common Files\WhenU
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools SearchBar
  • %Program Files%\Save
  • %Program Files%\WeatherCast
  • %Program Files%\WhenUSearch
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\WhenUSearch

(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Application Data on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files.. %Start Menu% is the current user's Start Menu folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows NT and C:\Windows\Start Menu or C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)

Autostart Technique

This adware adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
WhenUSearch = "%Program Files%\WhenUSearch\Search.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
WhenUSearchWHSE = "%Program Files%\WhenUSearch\whse.exe"

It adds the following registry keys to install itself as a Browser Helper Object (BHO):

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Browser Helper Objects\{202B3533-0678-4BDA-95EF-ACCCD3FCA952}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Browser Helper Objects\{BA2325ED-F9EB-4830-8FCE-0BC35B16969B}

Other System Modifications

This adware adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ACM.ACMFactory

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ACM.ACMFactory.1

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AppID\ACM.DLL

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AppID\{127DF9B4-D75D-44A6-AF78-8C3A8CEB03DB}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{0C4C45DB-A4DC-4CF4-8F1D-8CADF97855C9}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{202B3533-0678-4BDA-95EF-ACCCD3FCA952}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{28D47530-CF84-11D1-834C-00A0249F0C28}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{2CF0B992-5EEB-4143-99C0-5297EF71F444}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{389A5A59-1306-4389-A779-2EB9D0BC1FFB}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{45E5DADB-DFDF-4FC3-A46C-DD34B6CDDB38}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{4D5604E7-4737-40E9-819B-659922370515}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{605FA8C6-995D-48DC-995E-EC3C06D6CA0F}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{70271F18-B604-40FE-A8CD-15BAEB11ED84}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{715839CD-ABEC-45D8-A83C-1275F2D837CD}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{763BD795-24AE-44d7-82D8-F9A1EE799729}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{A9AAE1AB-9688-42C5-86F5-C12F6B9015AD}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{BA2325ED-F9EB-4830-8FCE-0BC35B16969B}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{CB8ACEF9-1085-4B47-B969-963E56AA9543}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{E2F2B9D0-96B9-4B25-B90C-636ECB207D18}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{FC327B3F-377B-4CB7-8B61-27CD69816BC3}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{FEE7FD53-3356-4D4D-8978-2C4AE3A7E109}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Gif89.Gif89

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Gif89.Gif89.1

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\InetCtls.Inet

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\InetCtls.Inet.1

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{0A65CA2B-EDB9-48B1-92DA-1D92C72498E4}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{236D7B88-595F-4330-9BCA-3050C6C4C091}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{2DB1A6DF-8120-47BD-9DCE-CFCD47B17B24}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{2F970EB7-3EA7-4AC1-BF38-FC22148EBACB}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{43382522-A846-46F4-AC57-1F71AE6E1086}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{572FB162-C0BA-4EDF-8CFF-E3846153B9B0}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{711648F0-5FF5-4C81-805E-A1AEDBAB4951}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{72A836D1-BC00-43C0-A941-17960E4FB842}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{8CBDBA78-8CD5-4037-BD94-67CD49958D23}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{A1A53286-D448-44EE-9660-F60A620A24B1}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{AB94D42B-64E9-436F-887C-CF38FE475CFC}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{BEAE14DB-A12A-442D-BF77-4644E3661211}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{F3208E7F-0E66-4F1D-BAB9-EF7EC870ED24}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\PLAYGIF.PlayGifCtrl.1

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SimpleRegistry.Registry

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SimpleRegistry.Registry.1

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{20752C25-2D97-4E6F-9EE2-94B74D202875}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{2CF0B992-5EEB-4143-99C0-5297EF71F445}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{5B061650-38AE-49B4-9F5D-35396B2CEFF5}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{916D4BE3-6B0F-4E73-871A-17BD6EF3B2F9}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{A001A440-E479-4FA9-8270-2CC9F0E69E2C}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{A71F6500-F41D-4775-808C-98A93F1F6B04}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{DF901432-1B9F-4F5B-9E56-301C553F9095}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\UControlScanAndRemove.UControlScanner

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WUDownld.WhenuDownload

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WUDownld.WhenuDownload.1

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WUSE.1

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WhenU.EmbedSE

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WhenU.EmbedSE.1

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\drs.n

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\wss_sp_gen.Class1

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\wss_sp_reg.Class1

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Auralis\
Wsst Screen Savers

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\DR_S

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Explorer Bars\{715839CD-ABEC-45D8-A83C-1275F2D837CD}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Extensions\CmdMapping

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\WhenU

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\WhenU\
Weather

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\dfrprov

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\{2CF0B992-5EEB-4143-99C0-5297EF71F444}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Code Store Database\Distribution Units\{A27AD582-5BE5-4C2D-82F0-48B24FE02040}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Extensions\{737830B7-F1F9-4bae-A8FC-1433C71BEDFF}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Bikini Girls Screensaver

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
ClockSync

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Harley Davidson Signs SS

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Sakura Kinomoto

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
SaveNow

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
UControl Scan and Remove

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
WeatherCast

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
WhenUSaveMsg

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
WhenUSavePBTB

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
WhenUSearch

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
WhenUSearchB

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{8669BD13-2C83-431A-95A9-24B69DAF3A41}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\UControl

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WhenU

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WhenUSave

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WhenUSearch

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WhenUShop

Adware Routine

This adware displays pop-up advertisements.

Other Details

This adware comes with an uninstall package that completely removes the files it dropped and the registries it added.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.200

SSAPI PATTERN File:

0.707.00

SSAPI PATTERN Date:

19 Nov 2008

Step 1

For Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 users, before doing any scans, please make sure you disable System Restore to allow full scanning of your computer.

Step 2

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 3

Delete this registry key

[ Learn More ]

Important: Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this step only if you know how or you can ask assistance from your system administrator. Else, check this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.

  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
    • ACM.ACMFactory
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
    • ACM.ACMFactory.1
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
    • Gif89.Gif89
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
    • Gif89.Gif89.1
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
    • InetCtls.Inet
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
    • InetCtls.Inet.1
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
    • PLAYGIF.PlayGifCtrl.1
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
    • SimpleRegistry.Registry
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
    • SimpleRegistry.Registry.1
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
    • UControlScanAndRemove.UControlScanner
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
    • WUDownld.WhenuDownload
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
    • WUDownld.WhenuDownload.1
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
    • WUSE.1
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
    • WhenU.EmbedSE
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
    • WhenU.EmbedSE.1
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
    • drs.n
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
    • wss_sp_gen.Class1
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
    • wss_sp_reg.Class1
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AppID
    • ACM.DLL
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AppID
    • {127DF9B4-D75D-44A6-AF78-8C3A8CEB03DB}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {0C4C45DB-A4DC-4CF4-8F1D-8CADF97855C9}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {202B3533-0678-4BDA-95EF-ACCCD3FCA952}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {202B3533-0678-4BDA-95EF-ACCCD3FCA952}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {28D47530-CF84-11D1-834C-00A0249F0C28}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {2CF0B992-5EEB-4143-99C0-5297EF71F444}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {389A5A59-1306-4389-A779-2EB9D0BC1FFB}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {45E5DADB-DFDF-4FC3-A46C-DD34B6CDDB38}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {4D5604E7-4737-40E9-819B-659922370515}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {605FA8C6-995D-48DC-995E-EC3C06D6CA0F}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {70271F18-B604-40FE-A8CD-15BAEB11ED84}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {715839CD-ABEC-45D8-A83C-1275F2D837CD}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {763BD795-24AE-44d7-82D8-F9A1EE799729}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {A9AAE1AB-9688-42C5-86F5-C12F6B9015AD}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {BA2325ED-F9EB-4830-8FCE-0BC35B16969B}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {CB8ACEF9-1085-4B47-B969-963E56AA9543}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {E2F2B9D0-96B9-4B25-B90C-636ECB207D18}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {FC327B3F-377B-4CB7-8B61-27CD69816BC3}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {FEE7FD53-3356-4D4D-8978-2C4AE3A7E109}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface
    • {0A65CA2B-EDB9-48B1-92DA-1D92C72498E4}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface
    • {236D7B88-595F-4330-9BCA-3050C6C4C091}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface
    • {2DB1A6DF-8120-47BD-9DCE-CFCD47B17B24}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface
    • {2F970EB7-3EA7-4AC1-BF38-FC22148EBACB}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface
    • {43382522-A846-46F4-AC57-1F71AE6E1086}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface
    • {572FB162-C0BA-4EDF-8CFF-E3846153B9B0}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface
    • {711648F0-5FF5-4C81-805E-A1AEDBAB4951}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface
    • {72A836D1-BC00-43C0-A941-17960E4FB842}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface
    • {8CBDBA78-8CD5-4037-BD94-67CD49958D23}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface
    • {A1A53286-D448-44EE-9660-F60A620A24B1}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface
    • {AB94D42B-64E9-436F-887C-CF38FE475CFC}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface
    • {BEAE14DB-A12A-442D-BF77-4644E3661211}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface
    • {F3208E7F-0E66-4F1D-BAB9-EF7EC870ED24}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib
    • {20752C25-2D97-4E6F-9EE2-94B74D202875}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib
    • {2CF0B992-5EEB-4143-99C0-5297EF71F445}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib
    • {5B061650-38AE-49B4-9F5D-35396B2CEFF5}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib
    • {916D4BE3-6B0F-4E73-871A-17BD6EF3B2F9}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib
    • {A001A440-E479-4FA9-8270-2CC9F0E69E2C}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib
    • {A71F6500-F41D-4775-808C-98A93F1F6B04}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib
    • {DF901432-1B9F-4F5B-9E56-301C553F9095}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Auralis
    • Wsst Screen Savers
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE
    • DR_S
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Explorer Bars
    • {715839CD-ABEC-45D8-A83C-1275F2D837CD}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Extensions
    • CmdMapping
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE
    • WhenU
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE
    • dfrprov
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE
    • {2CF0B992-5EEB-4143-99C0-5297EF71F444}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
    • UControl
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
    • WhenU
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
    • WhenUSave
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
    • WhenUSearch
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
    • WhenUShop
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Code Store Database\Distribution Units
    • {A27AD582-5BE5-4C2D-82F0-48B24FE02040}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Extensions
    • {737830B7-F1F9-4bae-A8FC-1433C71BEDFF}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects
    • {202B3533-0678-4BDA-95EF-ACCCD3FCA952}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects
    • {BA2325ED-F9EB-4830-8FCE-0BC35B16969B}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • Bikini Girls Screensaver
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • ClockSync
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • Harley Davidson Signs SS
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • Sakura Kinomoto
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • SaveNow
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • UControl Scan and Remove
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • WeatherCast
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • WhenUSaveMsg
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • WhenUSavePBTB
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • WhenUSearch
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • WhenUSearchB
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • {8669BD13-2C83-431A-95A9-24B69DAF3A41}

Step 4

Delete this registry value

[ Learn More ]

Important: Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this step only if you know how or you can ask assistance from your system administrator. Else, check this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.

  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • WhenUSearch = "%Program Files%\WhenUSearch\Search.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • WhenUSearchWHSE = "%Program Files%\WhenUSearch\whse.exe"

Step 5

Search and delete these files

[ Learn More ]
There may be some component files that are hidden. Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the "More advanced options" option to include all hidden files and folders in the search result.
  • %System%\aamd532.dll
  • %System%\MSInet.ocx
  • %Windows%\system\gif89.dll
  • %Windows%\system\MSCOMCTL.OCX
  • %Windows%\system\Msstdfmt.dll
  • %Windows%\system\riched32.dll
  • %Windows%\system\SimpleRegistry.dll

Step 6

Search and delete these folders

[ Learn More ]
Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the More advanced options option to include all hidden folders in the search result.
  • %Application Data%\UControl
  • %Program Files%\ClockSync
  • %Program Files%\Common Files\UControl
  • %Program Files%\Common Files\WhenU
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools SearchBar
  • %Program Files%\Save
  • %Program Files%\WeatherCast
  • %Program Files%\WhenUSearch
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\WhenUSearch

Step 7

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as ADWARE_WHENU. 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.


Did this description help? Tell us how we did.