Adware:W32/GigaSearch

Classification

Summary

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

Removal

Based on the settings of your F-Secure security product, it may block the file from running, move it to the quarantine where it cannot spread or cause harm, or ask you to select an action.

A False Positive is when a file is incorrectly detected as harmful, usually because its code or behavior resembles known harmful programs. A False Positive will usually be fixed in a subsequent database update without any action needed on your part. If you wish, you may also:

Check for the latest database updates
First check if your F-Secure security program is using the latest updates, then try scanning the file again.
Submit a sample
After checking, if you still believe the file is incorrectly detected, you can submit a sample of it for re-analysis.
Note: If the file was moved to quarantine, you need to collect the file from quarantine before you can submit it.
Exclude a file from further scanning
If you are certain that the file is safe and want to continue using it, you can exclude it from further scanning by the F-Secure security product.
Note: You need administrative rights to change the settings.

Technical Details

GigaSearch is an adware program that also includes functionality to perform browser hijacking.

It is able to modify the web browser's settings to hijack the browser's main pages and install toolbars, browser plug-ins and& browser helper objects (BHO).

Installation

Upon execution, it adds a list of URLs to the Favorites folder and Desktop. Some of which may contain adult contents:

%favorites%\Computers and Privacy
%favorites%\Real Estate
%favorites%\Finance
%favorites%\Sport
%favorites%\Travel
%favorites%\Pharmacy
%favorites%\Gambling
%favorites%\Dating
%favorites%\Shopping

Activity

When the adware is executed, it performs the following actions:

Changes the Internet Explorer startpage togigasearch.biz
Hijacks the home page and search page
Displays pop-up advertisements
Installs unwanted advertisement shorcuts
Installsthe Giga Search toolbar

Registry

During installation, the program modifies the following registry subkeys to change Internet Explorer's default settings:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main] "Start Page"="http://gigasearch.bin/206"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main] "Search Page"="http://gigasearch.bin/206"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar\ShellBrowser] "ITBarLayout"=
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar\WebBrowser] "ITBarLayout"=

It also adds various registry subkeys (see above).

Registry Modifications

Creates these keys:

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{C1EA1782-8E6E-4EA4-9800-B68DE41F1A26}]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{1F080480-802D-468F-AF65-D031EDCBFD4A}]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{79837A1F-9D73-4242-A3C1-9F2312EB8EF2}]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\GigaBar.ToolBandObj]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\GigaBar.ToolBandObj]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar] "{C1EA1782-8E6E-4EA4-9800-B68DE41F1A26}"="Giga Search"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\CLSID\{C1EA1782-8E6E-4EA4-9800-B68DE41F1A26}]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\Interface\{1F080480-802D-468F-AF65-D031EDCBFD4A}]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\TypeLib\{79837A1F-9D73-4242-A3C1-9F2312EB8EF2}]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\MenuExt\ GigaBar Serach]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\{C1EA1782-8E6E-4EA4-9800-B68DE41F1A26}]