Analysis by: RonJay Kristoffer Caragay
ALIASES:

Adware.BetterInternet (Symantec); Adware-Searchcentrix (McAfee);not-a-virus:AdWare.Win32.BetterInternet (Kaspersky); BetterInternet (Sophos); Adware/BetterInternet (Fortinet)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Adware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This adware may arrive bundled with malware packages as a malware component. It arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

It requires its main component to successfully perform its intended routine. However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 32,768 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 18 Apr 2015

Arrival Details

This adware may arrive bundled with malware packages as a malware component.

It 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:

  • %User Temp%\dummy.htm

(Note: %User Temp% is the user's temporary folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.)

Other Details

This adware connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://{BLOCKED}all.{BLOCKED}rinternet.com/bi/servlet/ThinstallPre
  • http://{BLOCKED}all.{BLOCKED}rinternet.com/bi/servlet/ThinstallPost

It requires its main component to successfully perform its intended routine.

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.750

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

Search and delete these files

[ 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.  
  • %User Temp%\dummy.htm

Step 4

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