ADW_KEYSEARCH

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.

File Size: 117,270 bytes

File Type: EXE

Memory Resident: Yes

Initial Samples Received Date: 18 Mar 2014

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 creates the following folders:

%Program Files%\searchkey
%Program Files%\Windows Live
%Program Files%\Windows Live\SocialFeeds

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Server 2003, and XP (32-bit), Vista (32-bit), and 7 (32-bit), or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP (64-bit), Vista (64-bit), and 7 (64-bit).)

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
SearchkeyStartUp = "%Program Files%\searchkey\searchkey.exe startup"

It registers itself as a BHO to ensure its automatic execution every time Internet Explorer is used by adding the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Browser Helper Objects\{E1018C56-3D48-48fc-8DA5-3CAF661F1261}

Other System Modifications

This adware deletes the following files:

%User Temp%\nsq1.tmp
%User Temp%\nsb16.tmp

(Note: %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista and 7.)

It adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
searchkey

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\searchkey

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows Live\SocialFeeds

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
ACE Corp

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\wnsfds.wnsfdsObj.1

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
wnsfds.wnsfdsObj.1\CLSID

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\wnsfds.wnsfdsObj

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
wnsfds.wnsfdsObj\CLSID

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
wnsfds.wnsfdsObj\CurVer

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{E1018C56-3D48-48fc-8DA5-3CAF661F1261}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{E1018C56-3D48-48fc-8DA5-3CAF661F1261}\ProgID

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{E1018C56-3D48-48fc-8DA5-3CAF661F1261}\VersionIndependentProgID

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{E1018C56-3D48-48fc-8DA5-3CAF661F1261}\Programmable

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{E1018C56-3D48-48fc-8DA5-3CAF661F1261}\InprocServer32

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{E1018C56-3D48-48fc-8DA5-3CAF661F1261}\TypeLib

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
TypeLib\{8F2240DC-2257-4AA0-83CD-633BFB179354}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
TypeLib\{8F2240DC-2257-4AA0-83CD-633BFB179354}\1.0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
TypeLib\{8F2240DC-2257-4AA0-83CD-633BFB179354}\1.0\
FLAGS

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
TypeLib\{8F2240DC-2257-4AA0-83CD-633BFB179354}\1.0\
0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
TypeLib\{8F2240DC-2257-4AA0-83CD-633BFB179354}\1.0\
0\win32

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
TypeLib\{8F2240DC-2257-4AA0-83CD-633BFB179354}\1.0\
HELPDIR

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Interface\{15F81F43-5DB9-41B8-8D6B-E826AB34D4F2}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Interface\{15F81F43-5DB9-41B8-8D6B-E826AB34D4F2}\ProxyStubClsid

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Interface\{15F81F43-5DB9-41B8-8D6B-E826AB34D4F2}\ProxyStubClsid32

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Interface\{15F81F43-5DB9-41B8-8D6B-E826AB34D4F2}\TypeLib

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
searchkey
DisplayName = "Windows Search Key Drivers"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
searchkey
Publisher = "J.O Media Corp."

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
searchkey
DisplayIcon = "%Program Files%\searchkey\searchkey.exe,0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
searchkey
InstallLocation = "%Program Files%\searchkey"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
searchkey
NoModify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
searchkey
NoRepair = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
searchkey
UninstallString = "%Program Files%\searchkey\uninstall.exe "

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\searchkey
ResourceSet = "24d4e"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\searchkey
DebugOutput = "24d4e"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\searchkey
mjrup = "7"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\searchkey
tns = "8"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows Live\SocialFeeds
mjrup = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
ACE Corp
DisplayName = "Windows Live Social Shopping Feeds Product"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
ACE Corp
Publisher = "ACE Corp"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
ACE Corp
InstallLocation = "%Program Files%\Windows Live\SocialFeeds"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
ACE Corp
NoModify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
ACE Corp
NoRepair = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
ACE Corp
UninstallString = "%Program Files%\Windows Live\SocialFeeds\uninst.exe "

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{E1018C56-3D48-48fc-8DA5-3CAF661F1261}\InprocServer32
ThreadingModel = "Apartment"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Interface\{15F81F43-5DB9-41B8-8D6B-E826AB34D4F2}\TypeLib
Version = "1.0"

It modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
DirectDraw\MostRecentApplication
Name = "tns.exe"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is iexplore.exe.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
DirectDraw\MostRecentApplication
ID = "52ae592a"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 41107b81.)

Dropping Routine

This adware drops the following files:

%Program Files%\searchkey\searchkey.exe
%Program Files%\searchkey\uninstall.exe
%User Temp%\6.tmp
%User Temp%\C.tmp
%User Temp%\F.tmp
%User Temp%\12.tmp
%User Temp%\mjrup.exe
%User Temp%\tns.exe
%Program Files%\Windows Live\SocialFeeds\wnsfds.dll
%Program Files%\Windows Live\SocialFeeds\uninst.exe
%User Temp%\20.tmp
%User Temp%\23.tmp
%User Temp%\27.tmp
%User Temp%\2B.tmp
%User Temp%\2F.tmp

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Server 2003, and XP (32-bit), Vista (32-bit), and 7 (32-bit), or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP (64-bit), Vista (64-bit), and 7 (64-bit).. %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista and 7.)

Other Details

This adware connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

http://{BLOCKED}i.kr/abs/uptime.php
http://{BLOCKED}i.kr/abs/aclick_other.php
http://{BLOCKED}i.kr/abs/o_qry.php?urltype=ecu34k
http://{BLOCKED}i.kr/abs/o_cnt.php?type=a&urltype=ecu34k&ccnt=5
http://{BLOCKED}key.kr/freeshop/data.ini
http://{BLOCKED}key.kr/ptn/inst.php?p=sk03&m=0050569F2902
http://{BLOCKED}key.kr/ptn/bt.php?p=sk03&m=0050569F2902
http://{BLOCKED}key.kr/en/appdata_{BLOCKED}key.ini
http://{BLOCKED}key.kr/en/mjrup.exe
http://{BLOCKED}key.kr/en/tns.exe
http://{BLOCKED}i.kr/aps/ua.php

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.300

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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 3

Close all opened browser windows

Step 4

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
- searchkey

In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
- searchkey

In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Live
- SocialFeeds

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
- ACE Corp

In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
- wnsfds.wnsfdsObj.1

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\wnsfds.wnsfdsObj.1
- CLSID

In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
- wnsfds.wnsfdsObj

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\wnsfds.wnsfdsObj
- CLSID

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\wnsfds.wnsfdsObj
- CurVer

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID
- {E1018C56-3D48-48fc-8DA5-3CAF661F1261}

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{E1018C56-3D48-48fc-8DA5-3CAF661F1261}
- ProgID

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{E1018C56-3D48-48fc-8DA5-3CAF661F1261}
- VersionIndependentProgID

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{E1018C56-3D48-48fc-8DA5-3CAF661F1261}
- Programmable

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{E1018C56-3D48-48fc-8DA5-3CAF661F1261}
- InprocServer32

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{E1018C56-3D48-48fc-8DA5-3CAF661F1261}
- TypeLib

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib
- {8F2240DC-2257-4AA0-83CD-633BFB179354}

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{8F2240DC-2257-4AA0-83CD-633BFB179354}
- 1.0

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{8F2240DC-2257-4AA0-83CD-633BFB179354}\1.0
- FLAGS

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{8F2240DC-2257-4AA0-83CD-633BFB179354}\1.0
- 0

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{8F2240DC-2257-4AA0-83CD-633BFB179354}\1.0\0
- win32

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{8F2240DC-2257-4AA0-83CD-633BFB179354}\1.0
- HELPDIR

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface
- {15F81F43-5DB9-41B8-8D6B-E826AB34D4F2}

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{15F81F43-5DB9-41B8-8D6B-E826AB34D4F2}
- ProxyStubClsid

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{15F81F43-5DB9-41B8-8D6B-E826AB34D4F2}
- ProxyStubClsid32

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{15F81F43-5DB9-41B8-8D6B-E826AB34D4F2}
- TypeLib

To delete the registry key this malware/grayware created:

Open Registry Editor. Click Start>Run, type REGEDIT, then press Enter.
In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>Software>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>Uninstall
Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
searchkey
In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Software
Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
searchkey
In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Software>Microsoft>Windows Live
Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
SocialFeeds
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
ACE Corp
In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
wnsfds.wnsfdsObj.1
In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Classes>wnsfds.wnsfdsObj.1
Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
CLSID
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
wnsfds.wnsfdsObj
In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Classes>wnsfds.wnsfdsObj
Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
CLSID
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
CurVer
In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Classes>CLSID
Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
{E1018C56-3D48-48fc-8DA5-3CAF661F1261}
In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Classes>CLSID>{E1018C56-3D48-48fc-8DA5-3CAF661F1261}
Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
ProgID
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
VersionIndependentProgID
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
Programmable
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
InprocServer32
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
TypeLib
In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Classes>TypeLib
Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
{8F2240DC-2257-4AA0-83CD-633BFB179354}
In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Classes>TypeLib>{8F2240DC-2257-4AA0-83CD-633BFB179354}
Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
1.0
In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Classes>TypeLib>{8F2240DC-2257-4AA0-83CD-633BFB179354}>1.0
Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
FLAGS
In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Classes>TypeLib>{8F2240DC-2257-4AA0-83CD-633BFB179354}>1.0>0
Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
win32
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
HELPDIR
In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Classes>Interface
Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
{15F81F43-5DB9-41B8-8D6B-E826AB34D4F2}
In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Classes>Interface>{15F81F43-5DB9-41B8-8D6B-E826AB34D4F2}
Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
ProxyStubClsid
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
ProxyStubClsid32
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
TypeLib
Close Registry Editor.

Step 5

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
- SearchkeyStartUp = "%Program Files%\searchkey\searchkey.exe startup"

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\searchkey
- DisplayName = "Windows Search Key Drivers"

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\searchkey
- Publisher = "J.O Media Corp."

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\searchkey
- DisplayIcon = "%Program Files%\searchkey\searchkey.exe,0"

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\searchkey
- InstallLocation = "%Program Files%\searchkey"

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\searchkey
- NoModify = "1"

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\searchkey
- NoRepair = "1"

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\searchkey
- UninstallString = "%Program Files%\searchkey\uninstall.exe "

In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\searchkey
- ResourceSet = "24d4e"

In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\searchkey
- DebugOutput = "24d4e"

In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\searchkey
- mjrup = "7"

In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\searchkey
- tns = "8"

In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Live\SocialFeeds
- mjrup = "1"

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\ACE Corp
- DisplayName = "Windows Live Social Shopping Feeds Product"

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\ACE Corp
- Publisher = "ACE Corp"

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\ACE Corp
- InstallLocation = "%Program Files%\Windows Live\SocialFeeds"

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\ACE Corp
- NoModify = "1"

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\ACE Corp
- NoRepair = "1"

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\ACE Corp
- UninstallString = "%Program Files%\Windows Live\SocialFeeds\uninst.exe "

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{E1018C56-3D48-48fc-8DA5-3CAF661F1261}\InprocServer32
- ThreadingModel = "Apartment"

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{15F81F43-5DB9-41B8-8D6B-E826AB34D4F2}\TypeLib
- Version = "1.0"

To delete the registry value this malware/grayware created:

Open Registry Editor. Click Start>Run, type REGEDIT, then press Enter.
In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>Run
In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
SearchkeyStartUp = "%Program Files%\searchkey\searchkey.exe startup"
In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>Uninstall>searchkey
In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
DisplayName = "Windows Search Key Drivers"
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
Publisher = "J.O Media Corp."
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
DisplayIcon = "%Program Files%\searchkey\searchkey.exe,0"
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
InstallLocation = "%Program Files%\searchkey"
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
NoModify = "1"
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
NoRepair = "1"
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
UninstallString = "%Program Files%\searchkey\uninstall.exe "
In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Software>searchkey
In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
ResourceSet = "24d4e"
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
DebugOutput = "24d4e"
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
mjrup = "7"
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
tns = "8"
In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Software>Microsoft>Windows Live>SocialFeeds
In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
mjrup = "1"
In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>Uninstall>ACE Corp
In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
DisplayName = "Windows Live Social Shopping Feeds Product"
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
Publisher = "ACE Corp"
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
InstallLocation = "%Program Files%\Windows Live\SocialFeeds"
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
NoModify = "1"
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
NoRepair = "1"
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
UninstallString = "%Program Files%\Windows Live\SocialFeeds\uninst.exe "
In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Classes>CLSID>{E1018C56-3D48-48fc-8DA5-3CAF661F1261}>InprocServer32
In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
ThreadingModel = "Apartment"
In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Classes>Interface>{15F81F43-5DB9-41B8-8D6B-E826AB34D4F2}>TypeLib
In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
Version = "1.0"
Close Registry Editor.

Step 6

Restore these modified registry values

[ Learn More ]

Important:Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this only if you know how to or you can seek your system administrator's help. You may also check out this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\DirectDraw\MostRecentApplication
- From: Name = "tns.exe"
  To: Name = ""iexplore.exe""

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\DirectDraw\MostRecentApplication
- From: ID = "52ae592a"
  To: ID = ""41107b81""

Step 7

Search and delete these components

[ Learn More ]

There may be some components 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.

%Program Files%\searchkey\searchkey.exe
%Program Files%\searchkey\uninstall.exe
%User Temp%\6.tmp
%User Temp%\C.tmp
%User Temp%\F.tmp
%User Temp%\12.tmp
%User Temp%\mjrup.exe
%User Temp%\tns.exe
%Program Files%\Windows Live\SocialFeeds\wnsfds.dll
%Program Files%\Windows Live\SocialFeeds\uninst.exe
%User Temp%\20.tmp
%User Temp%\23.tmp
%User Temp%\27.tmp
%User Temp%\2B.tmp
%User Temp%\2F.tmp

Step 8

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.

%Program Files%\searchkey
%Program Files%\Windows Live
%Program Files%\Windows Live\SocialFeeds

Step 9

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

Step 10

Restore this file from backup only Microsoft-related files will be restored. If this malware/grayware also deleted files related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on you computer again.

%User Temp%\nsq1.tmp
%User Temp%\nsb16.tmp

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