BHO/Hijacker/CWS.PayForTraffic.net

Alias: CWS.PayForTraffic.net

Description: BHO/Hijacker/CWS.PayForTraffic.net is the most widely known and the most annoying browser hijacker. It distributes itself by exploiting security holes in older or unpatched version of Microsoft Internet Explorer. BHO/Hijacker/CWS.PayForTraffic.net has many variations, each of them with its own performance and actions.

Threat type:

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.

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.

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 BHO/Hijacker/CWS.PayForTraffic.net: Yes

Threat risk: Very High Risk

Extremely dangerous malware. Uses stealth installation, randomly named entries and has the capability to self update or resurrect after incomplete removal. Almost impossible to remove manually. Category mostly consists of trojans and spyware.

Symptoms:

BHO/Hijacker/CWS.PayForTraffic.net protects itself from security software.

BHO/Hijacker/CWS.PayForTraffic.net hides from the user and stays resident in background.

BHO/Hijacker/CWS.PayForTraffic.net displays commercial advertisements.

BHO/Hijacker/CWS.PayForTraffic.net changes browser settings.

BHO/Hijacker/CWS.PayForTraffic.net connects itself to the internet.

BHO/Hijacker/CWS.PayForTraffic.net may install other software.

BHO/Hijacker/CWS.PayForTraffic.net 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 BHO/Hijacker/CWS.PayForTraffic.net, you can clean your computer by downloading SpyNoMore now.

Running Process Signatures:
N/A

File Signatures:
%WINDOWS%\system32\msole.dll
%WINDOWS%\system\msole.dll

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

Folder Signatures:
N/A

Registry Signatures:
HKLM\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\explorer\browser helper objects\{98dbbf16-ca43-4c33-be80-99e6694468a4}
HKCR\clsid\{98dbbf16-ca43-4c33-be80-99e6694468a4}
HKLM\software\classes\clsid\{98dbbf16-ca43-4c33-be80-99e6694468a4}
HKCR\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\explorer\browser helper objects\{98dbbf16-ca43-4c33-be80-99e6694468a4}

SpyNoMore Collected Residual File Signatures:
N/A

See Also:
Adware/WebHlpr
BHO/Hijacker/Search Hijacker/Comet Systems
BHO/Hijacker/Toolbar/Windows Search Bar
BHO/Toolbar/TotalVelocity zSearch
BHO/Toolbar/SurfAssistant
BHO/Toolbar/Commander
Adware/BHO/Toolbar/StartNow.HyperBar
Trojan/Adware/BHO/DealHelper.com
BHO/Hijacker/SiteHistory
Toolbar/AroundWeb