Adware/BHO/Gratisware

Alias: after the company that makes it., Gratisware

Description: Adware/BHO/Gratisware is an Internet Explorer browser helper object. It opens advertisement pop-ups when you browse.

Threat type:

Adware - Adware is a software application which displays advertisements on your computer. Advertisements can be displayed through pop-up / pop-under windows, additional bars or toolbars, underlined links or buttons that appear on a computer screen. Adware applications include additional code that delivers the ads. Adware authors earn money when users click on those ads. Occasionally, adware includes code that tracks user's site visits and passes it to third parties without the user's permission or knowledge.

BHO - A Browser Helper Object (BHO) is a software application that runs automatically whenever you start Internet Explorer. Browser Helper Objects are typically installed by other programs such as toolbar accessories and can track internet usage, create popup windows, display additional information on a viewed page and collect information that is transmitted by you over the internet. Malicious software that exploits this technology can replace banner advertisements with other ads, monitor your actions, change your home page, etc.

Advice: Remove This is a very high risk threat and should be removed immediately as to prevent harm to your computer or your privacy.

Detection:
SpyNoMore detects Adware/BHO/Gratisware: Yes

Threat risk: Medium Risk

Potentially dangerous malware. May collect sensitive user information and broadcast data back to a server with "opt-out" permission. Category includes most adware programs.

Symptoms:

Adware/BHO/Gratisware displays commercial advertisements.

Adware/BHO/Gratisware hides from the user and stays resident in background.

Adware/BHO/Gratisware Signature Details: The following information includes some of the standard signatures associated with this spyware threat. Please do not attempt to manually remove these items from your computer; Removing these items incorrectly or partially can cause your computer to experience critical errors, prevent your computer from restarting or cause loss of Internet connectivity. Should you be infected with Adware/BHO/Gratisware, you can clean your computer by downloading SpyNoMore now.

Running Process Signatures:
N/A

File Signatures:
%WINDOWS%\system32\crs.exe
%WINDOWS%\system32\crs.old
%WINDOWS%\system32\crs32.dll
%WINDOWS%\system\crs32.reg
%WINDOWS%\system\next.dl_
%WINDOWS%\system32\next.dl_
%WINDOWS%\system\crs32.dll
%WINDOWS%\system\crs.old
%WINDOWS%\system32\crs32.reg
%WINDOWS%\system\crs.exe

Registered Dll (Dynamic Link Library) Signatures:
N/A

Folder Signatures:
%PROGRAM_FILES%\gratisware

Registry Signatures:


SpyNoMore Collected Residual File Signatures:
N/A

See Also:
Flooder/CPU Hog NT
Hacker Tool/Simpsons CGI Scanner
Exploit/Cisco Host Standby Crippler
Trojan/DontRun.a
Trojan/Zyflex
Trojan/Downloader/AOL Pest/HLJacker
Trojan/TrackDownload
Trojan/Backdoor/SdBot.05.w
Trojan/Backdoor/Downloader/Aphex.10.c-1
Trojan/SDBot.Hor