Adware/BHO/Hijacker/WinShow.n

Alias: Adware/SearchAid, Trojan Horse Downloader.Winshow.D (AVG), Win32/WinShow.C!DLL!Trojan, Winshow, TrojanDownloader.Win32.WinShow.n

Description: Winshow is a pop-up opener implemented as an Internet Explorer Browser Helper Object, controlled by 00hq.com. The origin is currently unknown. When a targeted word or phrase is spotted in a web site you are viewing in Internet Explorer, Winshow may open a pop-up advert. So far adverts have been served from 00hq.com and 8ad.com. Can download and execute arbitrary unsigned code from its controlling server, as a self-updating feature.

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.

Downloader - A Downloader is a software application or part of the program which is designed to retrieve (download) and install additional files from the Internet. Malware programs often include Downloaders which allow the Malware to continually update themselves, thereby eluding detection.

Hijacker - A Hijacker is a software application that takes control of your browser's settings. Usually it changes your home page and redirects it to some unknown site or modifies your search settings. It prevents you from changing back your browser's settings. An infected browser usually operates much slower.

Search Hijacker - A Search Hijacker is a software application that takes control of your browser's default search engine. The search results may not necessarily be the best fit as those usually come from paid advertisements, as issued to you by the Hijacker authors. Search hijackers prevent you from changing your browser's default search engine, and they tend to slow down PC performance.

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/Hijacker/WinShow.n: Yes

Threat risk: High Risk

Very dangerous malware. Can log user's keyboard activity and take snapshots of the user's screen. Uses stealth installation and removal is very difficult. Category includes spyware programs, adware programs and trojans.

Symptoms:

Adware/BHO/Hijacker/WinShow.n 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/Hijacker/WinShow.n, you can clean your computer by downloading SpyNoMore now.

Running Process Signatures:
N/A

File Signatures:
%WINDOWS%\system\winshow.dll
%WINDOWS%\system32\winshow.dll
%PROFILE%\all users\start menu\msupdater.exe

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

Folder Signatures:
%PROFILE%\application data\winlink
%PROFILE%\application data\winshow

Registry Signatures:


SpyNoMore Collected Residual File Signatures:
N/A

See Also:
BHO/Lid
BHO/Msudpb.dll
BHO/ToolbarCC.Rnd
BHO/Toolbar/BrowserAid.Startium
BHO/Bs2.dll
BHO/Toolbar/BandObjects.eStart
BHO/Search Hijacker/ActualNames.SearchPike
BHO/SearchFu/123Search
BHO/Toolbar/Httper
BHO/Bs3.dll