Behavior
Adware.TargetSaver monitors open windows and displays ads.
Symptoms
Files are detected as Adware.TargetSaver.
Transmission
This adware is installed manually
File names: ts2.exe; tsl2.exe; tsm2.exe; tsp2.exe
When Adware.TargetSaver is executed, it performs the following actions:
Creates the following files in C:\Program Files\Common Files\tsa:
inst.dat
ts2.exel
ts2lock
tsl2.exe
tsm2.exe
tsm2lock
tsm2.exe
tsm2lock
tsp2.exe
tsuninst.exe
wu
Creates the following files in C:\Program Files\Common Files\tsa\rainbow:
class-barrel
classify.dll
vocabulary
Adds the value:
"Tsa2"="C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\tsa\tsm2.exe"
to the registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Run
so that the adware runs every time Windows starts.
Creates the following registry keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\TSA
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Uninstall\TSA
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\TSA
Downloads updates from a remote site.
Monitors open windows for words from the vocabulary file.
Displays advertisements using pop-up and pop-under windows.
Before you begin: This adware may include an uninstaller. The uninstaller file is usually C:\Program Files\Common Files\tsuninst.exe. Using Windows Explorer, see if this file exists.
If you cannot find the file, follow the instructions below.
If the file does exist, double-click it and follow any prompts. After the uninstaller is finished, to make sure that the threat has been removed, follow the instructions below.
The following instructions pertain to all Symantec antivirus products that support Security Risk detection.
Update the definitions.
Restart the computer in Safe mode.
Run a full system scan.
Delete the value that was added to the registry.
For specific details on each of these steps, read the following instructions.
1. To update the definitions
To obtain the most recent definitions, start your Symantec program and run LiveUpdate.
2. To restart the computer in Safe mode
Shut down the computer and turn off the power. Wait for at least 30 seconds, and then restart the computer in Safe mode. For instructions, read the document, "How to start the computer in Safe Mode."
3. To run the scan
Start your Symantec antivirus program, and then run a full system scan.
If any files are detected as Adware.TargetSaver and depending on which software version you are using, you may see one or more of the following options:
Note: This applies only to versions of Norton AntiVirus that support Security Risk detection. If you are running a version of Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition that supports Security Risk detection, and Security Risk detection has been enabled, you will only see a message box that gives the results of the scan. If you have questions in this situation, contact your network administrator.
Exclude (Not recommended): If you click this button, it will set the threat so that it is no longer detectable. That is, the antivirus program will keep the security risk on your computer and will no longer detect it to remove from your computer.
Ignore or Skip: This option tells the scanner to ignore the threat for this scan only. It will be detected again the next time that you run a scan.
Cancel: This option is new to Norton Antivirus 2005. It is used when Norton Antivirus 2005 has determined that it cannot delete a security risk. This Cancel option tells the scanner to ignore the threat for this scan only, and thus, the threat will be detected again the next time that you run a scan.
To actually delete the security risk:
Click its file name (under the Filename column).
In the Item Information box that displays, write down the full path and file name.
Then use Windows Explorer to locate and delete the file.
Delete: This option will attempt to delete the detected files. In some cases, the scanner will not be able to do this.
If you see a message, "Delete Failed" (or similar message), manually delete the file.
Click the file name of the threat that is under the Filename column.
In the Item Information box that displays, write down the full path and file name.
Then use Windows Explorer to locate and delete the file.
4. To delete the value from the registry
Important: Symantec strongly recommends that you back up the registry before making any changes to it. Incorrect changes to the registry can result in permanent data loss or corrupted files. Modify the specified keys only. Read the document, "How to make a backup of the Windows registry," for instructions.
Click Start > Run.
Type regedit
Then click OK.
Navigate to the key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Run
In the right pane, delete the value:
"Tsa2"="C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\tsa\tsm2.exe"
Navigate to and delete the following keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\TSA
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Uninstall\TSA
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\TSA
Exit the Registry Editor
http://securityresponse.symantec.com...rgetsaver.html
