ADW_SEARCHSUITE

January 03, 2015
 Modified by: Rhena Inocencio
 ALIASES:

not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win64.SearchSuite.e (Kaspersky), PUP.Optional.Linkey.A (McAfee), SearchSuite (Sophos)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows Vista (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit)

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 DAMAGE POTENTIAL:
 DISTRIBUTION POTENTIAL:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Adware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Dropped by other malware, Downloaded from the Internet

This adware arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

1,628,272 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

20 Sep 2014

Payload:

Drops files

Arrival Details

This adware arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

Installation

This adware drops the following files:

  • {Adware path}\ChromeExtension\ChromeExtension.crx
  • {Adware path}\IEExtension\iedll64.dll
  • {Adware path}\IEExtension\iedll.dll
  • {Adware path}\LinkeyDeals.exe

It creates the following folders:

  • {Adware path}\ChromeExtension
  • {Adware path}\IEExtension

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

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

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as ADW_SEARCHSUITE

Step 4

Search and delete this file

[ Learn More ]
There may be some 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.
  • {Adware path}\ChromeExtension\ChromeExtension.crx
  • {Adware path}\IEExtension\iedll64.dll
  • {Adware path}\IEExtension\iedll.dll
  • {Adware path}\LinkeyDeals.exe

Step 5

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.
  • {Adware path}\ChromeExtension
  • {Adware path}\IEExtension

Step 6

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as ADW_SEARCHSUITE. 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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