# Nasty Trojans **URL:** \ **Category:** random\ **Created:** [April 2, 2006, 3:16am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/nasty-trojans/184112 "2006-04-02T03:16:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@nobody](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/nobody)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2006, 3:16am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/nasty-trojans/184112/1 "2006-04-02T03:16:00Z")
I’ve evidently got a few trojans that are making my life difficult here. As far as I can tell I have surfSideKick and maybe another one or two. Basically they just open up firefox or a new tab every few minutes and it’s annoying, though I don’t think they’re dangerous. I really don’t want to format my computer as I don’t really have the time, so is there anything you guys can recommend? Spybot accomplishes nothing, it always says it needs to restart because files are in memory but then it waits until windows is fully loaded to scan, so once again everything is in memory. Also AVG is accomplishing nothing, and I got zoneAlarm just the hell of it but it’s also doing very little. Please help, this is lame ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Templarian](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.kirupa.com/templarian/32/7152_2.png) [@Templarian](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/Templarian)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2006, 3:29am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/nasty-trojans/184112/2 "2006-04-02T03:29:40Z")
When all else fails Norton it. Sounds like its your only choice… there are other programs you can use, but if you want to make sure its gone. ---
**Author:** ![nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@nobody](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/nobody)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2006, 3:32am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/nasty-trojans/184112/3 "2006-04-02T03:32:36Z")
As a poor college student I have no money for extra programs (hence all the free ones that are doing nothing). Oh well, I guess my only bet is to format then. ---
**Author:** ![Templarian](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.kirupa.com/templarian/32/7152_2.png) [@Templarian](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/Templarian)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2006, 3:50am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/nasty-trojans/184112/4 "2006-04-02T03:50:18Z")
Just wait a day to see if anyone finds something? Did you check Microsoft for a patch… if its a large trojan they may have a patch. ---
**Author:** ![nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@nobody](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/nobody)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2006, 4:00am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/nasty-trojans/184112/5 "2006-04-02T04:00:42Z")
Ah, nah I hadn’t done that. I’ll be sure to check it out. Thanks 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Maxtr0sity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maxtr0sity](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/Maxtr0sity)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2006, 4:37am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/nasty-trojans/184112/6 "2006-04-02T04:37:14Z")
> **[How To Remove Surfsidekick 2 Or 3 And Vcclient - Spyware and Malware Removal...](https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/9549/how-to-remove-surfsidekick-2-or-3-and-vcclient/)** > > How To Remove Surfsidekick 2 Or 3 And Vcclient - posted in Spyware and Malware Removal Guides Archive: How to remove the Surf Sidekick 2/3 and VCClient > > > What this program does: > Delivers ads to your computer. > > Tools Needed for this fix: > > ... > **[SurfSideKick Removal](https://forums.majorgeeks.com/index.php?threads/74266/)** > > New Procedure, see below. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Yeldarb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/51bf81/32.png) [@Yeldarb](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/Yeldarb)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2006, 5:39am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/nasty-trojans/184112/7 "2006-04-02T05:39:29Z")
[ot]I thought you were talking about USC Trojans (like bullies or something) for like half of your post… I was like “Wtf, explain what you mean!”)[/ot] ---
**Author:** ![kdd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecb155/32.png) [@kdd](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/kdd)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2006, 6:21am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/nasty-trojans/184112/8 "2006-04-02T06:21:14Z")
i used hijackthis - [http://www.snapfiles.com/get/hijackthis.html PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE be very careful with this program! it’ll give you a list of programs and stuff, if you know a certain program that is harmful to your computer, fix it. and if you want to kill a process that cannot be killed, kill it on restart or something using killbox! ([URL=“http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/files/killbox.php”]http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/files/killbox.php](http://www.snapfiles.com/get/hijackthis.html)) i really hope the links i’ve given are right. and then there are those registry values and keys they modify. the first step you must take is close the internet conn. so that new stuff doesn’t get into your comp… i hope this helps. NOTE: in the registry editing process, they’ll tell you to turn off sys restore, and mostly tell you to go into the safe mode. please do what they say exactly. 🙂 i suggest you write down anything that pops up on your infected computer like a url or a message. then you get on a diff computer, and then type that message on google and search for the virus, trojan name. upon finding the name (norton website is best for it. ie. if the virus were mssearchnet.exe then search “mssearchnet.exe norton”), you find out what registry values were modified, what keys were modified, and what files the trojan installed. KILL the files, and CAREFULLY (without messing up the registry) modify or add or delete the values or keys. PLEASE DON’T CONNECT THE COMPUTER TO INTERNET YET. restart, and once you know everything is clear and gone, then connect to the internet. i really hope this helps. 🙂 [size=3]big edit (directly from symantec website about Adware.surfSideKick[/size] **Adware.SurfSideKick** [FONT=Arial][SIZE=1]_Last Updated on: December 13, 2005 04:07:45 PM_[/SIZE][/FONT] [![](http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/graphics/ssrc/writeups/print.gif)](http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/pf/adware.surfsidekick.html) \*\*Type: \*\***[[COLOR=#0000ff]Adware[/COLOR][COLOR=#0000ff][/COLOR][COLOR=#0000ff][/COLOR]Name: n/aVersion:\*\* n/aPublisher: http://www.surfsidekick.com\*\*[URL=“http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#systemsaffected”][COLOR=#0000ff]Systems Affected[/COLOR]:\*\* Windows 2000, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP\*\*[URL=“http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#risk\_impact”][COLOR=#0000ff]Risk Impact[/COLOR]](http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#adware):** High ![](http://forum.kirupa.com/uploads/kirupa/6801/aac17939bb0988ad.gif)\
  • [[COLOR=#0000ff]Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) [/COLOR]](http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#ludefs)November 24, 2004 ![](http://forum.kirupa.com/uploads/kirupa/6802/57df6a42d6f8c206.gif)\
  • [[COLOR=#0000ff]Definitions (Intelligent Updater)[/COLOR]](http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#iudefs)November 21, 2004 ![](http://forum.kirupa.com/uploads/kirupa/6802/57df6a42d6f8c206.gif) This risk can be detected only by Symantec products that support security risks. For more information on security risks, please go [[COLOR=#0000ff]here[/COLOR]](http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/security_risks/index.html). ![](http://forum.kirupa.com/uploads/kirupa/6803/7155965e7f18c623.gif) **[COLOR=#0000ff]Behavior[/COLOR]** Adware.SurfSideKick is an adware component that downloads and displays advertisements. \*\*Note: \*\*Defenitions dated June 17th or earlier may detect this risk as Adware.SurfSidekick.B. **[COLOR=#0000ff]Symptoms[/COLOR]** Your Symantec program detects Adware.SurfSideKick. **[COLOR=#0000ff]Transmission[/COLOR]** This adware program must be manually installed. ![](http://forum.kirupa.com/uploads/kirupa/6804/02b1880763651d3f.gif) File names: Ssk.exe SskBho.dll SskCore.dll SSK\_B5.EXE When Adware.SurfSideKick is executed, it performs the following actions: [LIST=1] [_]Creates the following files:[LIST] [_]%Program Files%\SurfSideKick [version]\Ssk.exe [_]%Program Files%\SurfSideKick [version]\SskBho.dll [_]%Program Files%\SurfSideKick [version]\SskCore.dll [_]%Temp%\sskupdater3.exe [_]%Temp%??.tmp [_]%Temp%\SSK3\_B5 Seedcorn 4.exe [_]%Temp%??.bat **Note:** [_]%ProgramFiles% is a variable that refers to the program files folder. By default, this is C:\Program Files. [_]%Temp% is a variable that refers to the Windows temporary folder. By default, this is C:\Windows\TEMP (Windows 95/98/Me/XP) or C:\WINNT\Temp (Windows NT/2000). [_][version] refers to the current version number of the program.[/LIST] [_]Adds some of the following registry keys: HKEY\_CLASSES\_ROOT\CLSID{000AB0005-FF12-42C2-8DF5-39E12E5F9C91} HKEY\_CLASSES\_ROOT\CLSID{CA0E28FA-1AFD-4C21-A8DC-70EB5BE2F076} HKEY\_CLASSES\_ROOT\CLSID{02EE5B04-F144-47BB-83FB-A60BD91B74A9} HKEY\_LOCAL\_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Surf Sidekick HKEY\_LOCAL\_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Surf Sidekick\_is1 HKEY\_CURRENT\_USER\Software\SurfSideKick2 HKEY\_CURRENT\_USER\Software\SurfSideKick3 HKEY\_LOCAL\_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\SurfSideKick3 [\*]Adds some of the following values: “SurfSideKick” = “%Program Files%\SurfSideKick\Ssk.exe” “SurfSideKick 2” = “%Program Files%\SurfSideKick 2\Ssk.exe” “SurfSideKick 3” = “%Program Files%\SurfSideKick 3\Ssk.exe” to the following registry keys: HKEY\_CURRENT\_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run HKEY\_LOCAL\_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run so that the program runs every time Windows starts. [\*]Deletes the value: {CFBFAE00-17A6-11D0-99CB-00C04FD64497} from the registry key HKEY\_CURRENT\_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\URLSearchHooks [\*]Adds the values: {02EE5B04-F144-47BB-83FB-A60BD91B74A9} {CA0E28FA-1AFD-4C21-A8DC-70EB5BE2F076} to the registry key HKEY\_LOCAL\_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\UrlSearchHooks [\*]Adds the values: {000AB0005-FF12-42C2-8DF5-39E12E5F9C91} {02EE5B04-F144-47BB-83FB-A60BD91B74A9} {CA0E28FA-1AFD-4C21-A8DC-70EB5BE2F076} to the registry key HKEY\_CURRENT\_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\URLSearchHooks [_]Displays pop-up ads. [_]May attempt to connect to a predetermined Web site, download other adware programs and send on system information.[/LIST] ![](http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/graphics/ssrc/writeups/section_title_removal.gif) The following instructions pertain to all Symantec antivirus products that support Security Risk detection. [LIST=1] [_]Update the definitions. [_]Uninstall Adware.SurfSideKick using the Add/Remove Programs utility. [_]Run a full system scan. [_]Delete the value that was added to the registry.[/LIST]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 uninstall the Adware** [LIST=1] [_]Do one of the following:[LIST] [_]On the Windows 98 taskbar:[LIST=1] [_]Click **Start \> Settings \> Control Panel**. [_]In the Control Panel window, double-click **Add/Remove Programs**.[/LIST] [_]On the Windows Me taskbar:[LIST=1] [_]Click **Start \> Settings \> Control Panel**. [_]In the Control Panel window, double-click **Add/Remove Programs**. If you do not see the Add/Remove Programs icon, click “… **view all Control Panel options**.”[/LIST] [_]On the Windows 2000 taskbar: By default, Windows 2000 is set up the same as Windows 98, so follow the instructions for Windows 98. If otherwise, click **Start** , point to **Settings \> Control Panel** , and then click **Add/Remove Programs**. [_]On the Windows XP taskbar:[LIST=1] [_]Click **Start \> Control Panel**. [_]In the Control Panel window, double-click **Add or Remove Programs**.[/LIST][/LIST] [_]Click Surf Sidekick. \*\* Note: \*\*You may need to use the scroll bar to view the whole list. [\*]Click **Add/Remove** , **Change/Remove** , or \*\*Remove \*\*(this varies with the operating system). Follow the prompts.[/LIST] **3. To run the scan** [LIST=1] [\*]Start your Symantec antivirus program, and then run a full system scan. **Note:** If you ran the Add/Remove programs applet as described in the previous section, all the files may have been removed, and thus none of them will be detected. [\*]If any files are detected as Adware.SurfSideKick 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.[LIST] [_]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:[LIST] [_]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. If Windows reports that it cannot delete the file, this indicates that the file is in use. In this situation, complete the rest of the instructions on this page, [[COLOR=#0000ff]restart the computer in Safe mode[/COLOR]](http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001052409420406), and then delete the file using Windows Explorer.[/LIST] [_]Delete: This option will attempt to delete the detected files. In some cases, the scanner will not be able to do this.[LIST] [_]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. If Windows reports that it cannot delete the file, this indicates that the file is in use. In this situation, complete the rest of the instructions on this page, [[COLOR=#0000ff]restart the computer in Safe mode[/COLOR]](http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001052409420406), and then delete the file using Windows Explorer.[/LIST][/LIST][/LIST] **4. To delete the value from the registry** **[COLOR=#ff0000] Important:[/COLOR]**[SIZE=4] [/SIZE]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, “[[COLOR=#0000ff]How to make a backup of the Windows registry[/COLOR]](http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/199762382617?OpenDocument&src=sec_doc_nam),” for instructions. [LIST=1] [_]Click **Start \> Run**. [_]Type **regedit** Then click **OK**. [\*]Navigate to the key: HKEY\_CURRENT\_USER\Software\Microsoft\Current Version\Run [\*]In the right pane, delete the values: “SurfSideKick” = “%Program Files%\SurfSideKick\Ssk.exe” “SurfSideKick 3” = “%Program Files%\SurfSideKick 3\Ssk.exe” [\*]Navigate to the key: HKEY\_LOCAL\_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run [\*]In the right pane, delete the values: “SurfSideKick” = “%Program Files%\SurfSideKick\Ssk.exe” “SurfSideKick 3” = “%Program Files%\SurfSideKick 3\Ssk.exe” [\*]Delete the values: {02EE5B04-F144-47BB-83FB-A60BD91B74A9} {CA0E28FA-1AFD-4C21-A8DC-70EB5BE2F076} from the registry key HKEY\_LOCAL\_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\UrlSearchHooks [\*]Delete the values: {000AB0005-FF12-42C2-8DF5-39E12E5F9C91} {02EE5B04-F144-47BB-83FB-A60BD91B74A9} {CA0E28FA-1AFD-4C21-A8DC-70EB5BE2F076} from the registry key HKEY\_CURRENT\_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\URLSearchHooks [\*]Navigate to the key: HKEY\_CURRENT\_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\URLSearchHooks [\*]In the right pane, right click and select **New String Value**. Set the name of this value to: {CFBFAE00-17A6-11D0-99CB-00C04FD64497} and leave the **Value Data** field blank. [\*]Navigate to and delete the following keys: HKEY\_CLASSES\_ROOT\CLSID{000AB0005-FF12-42C2-8DF5-39E12E5F9C91} HKEY\_CLASSES\_ROOT\CLSID{CA0E28FA-1AFD-4C21-A8DC-70EB5BE2F076} HKEY\_CLASSES\_ROOT\CLSID{02EE5B04-F144-47BB-83FB-A60BD91B74A9} HKEY\_LOCAL\_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Surf Sidekick HKEY\_LOCAL\_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Surf Sidekick\_is1 HKEY\_CURRENT\_USER\Software\SurfSideKick2 HKEY\_CURRENT\_USER\Software\SurfSideKick3 HKEY\_LOCAL\_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\SurfSideKick3 [\*]Exit the Registry Editor[/LIST] ---
    **Author:** ![hybrid101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7993a0/32.png) [@hybrid101](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/hybrid101)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2006, 1:24pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/nasty-trojans/184112/9 "2006-04-03T13:24:52Z")
    post your hijackthis log once youv’e downloaded it. i’m ready to help:) ---
    **Author:** ![nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@nobody](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/nobody)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 6:50pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/nasty-trojans/184112/10 "2006-04-04T18:50:56Z")
    Thanks for all the help guys, I tried that stuff out but it was just a little too much for me in my sick delerious state so I just ended up formatting :-/