Adware/BHO/Toolbar/TheLocalSearch

Alias: Qidion, TheLocalSearch

Description: It is a search toolbar program which has been customised and stealth-installed by many different sites. It has many variants, each of them is pointed to certain sites.

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.

Toolbar - A Toolbar is a group of buttons that performs different tasks. Unwanted toolbars are usually installed by adware programs that try to send users to their paying advertisers.

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/Toolbar/TheLocalSearch: 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/Toolbar/TheLocalSearch 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/Toolbar/TheLocalSearch, you can clean your computer by downloading SpyNoMore now.

Running Process Signatures:
N/A

File Signatures:
%WINDOWS%\system32\tlsbar.dll
%WINDOWS%\system\tlsbar.dll
%WINDOWS%\downloaded program files\toolbar_nieuw13.dll
%WINDOWS%\qi32.dll
%WINDOWS%\tlsbar.dll

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

Folder Signatures:
%PROGRAM_FILES%\wassmartbar

Registry Signatures:


SpyNoMore Collected Residual File Signatures:
N/A

See Also:
RAT/TServe 3.3 - Remote Administration
Key Logger/Japanese Key Logger
RAT/TServe 3.4 - Remote Administration
Tracking Cookie/XXXToolBar.com
Tracking Cookie/Slotch.com
Trojan/Adware/BHO/IstBar.e
RAT/EasyNet 3.0
Key Logger/Windows Spy
Backdoor/RAT/Udps.10.a
Backdoor/RAT/SubSeven.21.Muie.a