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Adware:W32/Searchcolor
| Name : | Adware:W32/Searchcolor |
| Detection Names : |
Adware:W32/SearchColour Adware.Searchcolor.A Adware.Win32.Searchcolor |
| 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.
Details
Registry Modifications
Sets these values:
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Search Toolbar Corp
• HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{821F87FF-8245-4972-9E28-732E92EC2F51}
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{821F87FF-8245-4972-9E28-732E92EC2F51}
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{821F87FF-8245-4972-9E28-732E92EC2F51}
Additional Details
This is a generic description for Adware:W32/Searchcolor adware family. There are multiple variants in this family.
This adware may be distributed bundled with other applications. It may also be silently downloaded onto the system when an unsuspecting user browses a malicious website.
Installation
During installation, the adware drops the following:
This is the file detected as Adware:W32/Searchcolor. The file is installed as a Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) toolbar, known as VSToolbar.
The adware also drops the following files as part of its installation:
The adware also creates some registry keys (see above).
Activity
This is what the toolbar looks like:
The dropped DLL will be referenced every time IE is launched.
The adware will run hidden in the background, unknown from the user.
Removal
This adware also includes an uninstallation functionality, and it is listed as "VSToolbar for Internet Explorer" in the Add/Remove Application menu in Control Panel. Once uninstalled, it will delete its registries keys. The DLL file however will still remain in the system.
This adware may be distributed bundled with other applications. It may also be silently downloaded onto the system when an unsuspecting user browses a malicious website.
Installation
During installation, the adware drops the following:
• %Program Files%\VSToolbar\VSToolBar.dll
This is the file detected as Adware:W32/Searchcolor. The file is installed as a Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) toolbar, known as VSToolbar.
The adware also drops the following files as part of its installation:
• %User%\Application Data\SearchToolbarCorp\Toolbar Vision\PageHistory.txt
• %User%\Application Data\SearchToolbarCorp\Toolbar Vision\WebHistory.txt
The adware also creates some registry keys (see above).
Activity
This is what the toolbar looks like:
The dropped DLL will be referenced every time IE is launched.
The adware will run hidden in the background, unknown from the user.
Removal
This adware also includes an uninstallation functionality, and it is listed as "VSToolbar for Internet Explorer" in the Add/Remove Application menu in Control Panel. Once uninstalled, it will delete its registries keys. The DLL file however will still remain in the system.