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  4. Adware:W32/Gamevance

Adware:W32/Gamevance

Detection Names : Adware.GameVance
Category:Spyware
Type:Adware
Platform:W32

Summary

This program delivers advertising content to the user. It is usually annoying but harmless, unless it is combined with spyware or trackware.

Disinfection

Manual Removal Instructions

The software can be successfully removed from Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs -> Gamevance.

Additional Details

Adware:W32/GameVance is a program that collects anonymous usage information from a user's computer that are used to select and display popup, popunder and other kinds of advertisements.

The software is installed in exchange for free online games from Gamevance.

The screeenshot below shows Gamevance's software license terms:

The image below shows the end of the installation process:


Installation

During installation, the program modifies the Windows Registry to install a Browser Helper Object (BHO). The changes also ensure the program starts at every system startup. Unlike some adware programs, Gamevance also adds a registry key to ensure it has an entry in the Add/Remove Programs menu.


File System Changes

Creates these files:

  • C:\Program Files\Gamevance
  • C:\Program Files\Gamevance\ars.cfg
  • C:\Program Files\Gamevance\gamevance32.exe
  • C:\Program Files\Gamevance\gamevancelib32.dll
  • C:\Program Files\Gamevance\gvtl.dll
  • C:\Program Files\Gamevance\gvun.exe
  • C:\Program Files\Gamevance\icon.ico

Registry Modifications

Creates these keys:
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{0ED403E8-470A-4a8a-85A4-D7688CFE39A3}
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{BEAC7DC8-E106-4C6A-931E-5A42E7362883}
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\GamevanceText.Linker
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\GamevanceText.Linker.1
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\AppID\GamevanceText.DLL
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\AppID\{0D4A3EEA-527E-4FD8-9B2F-089B616670B8}
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{0ED403E8-470A-4a8a-85A4-D7688CFE39A3}
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{BEAC7DC8-E106-4C6A-931E-5A42E7362883}
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{014C4232-6904-47B9-9144-7E0FB7277444}
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    Gamevance = "%programfiles%\Gamevance\gamevance32.exe a"
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Gamevance
    UninstallString = "%programfiles%\Gamevance\gvun.exe"