These instructions pertain to all current and recent Symantec antivirus products, including the Symantec AntiVirus and Norton AntiVirus product lines.
- Update the virus definitions.
- Do one of the following:
- Windows 95/98/Me: Restart the computer in Safe mode.
- Windows NT/2000/XP: End the Trojan process.
- Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as Backdoor.Hipo.
- Reverse the changes that the Trojan made to the registry.
For details on each of these procedures, read the following instructions.
1. Updating the virus definitions
Symantec Security Response fully tests all the virus definitions for quality assurance before they are posted to our servers. There are two ways to obtain the most recent virus definitions:
- Running LiveUpdate, which is the easiest way to obtain the virus definitions. These virus definitions are posted to the LiveUpdate servers once each week (usually on Wednesdays), unless there is a major virus outbreak. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by LiveUpdate, refer to the Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate), in the "Protection" section, at the top of this writeup.
- Downloading the definitions using the Intelligent Updater. The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are posted on U.S. business days (Monday through Friday). You should download the definitions from the Symantec Security Response Web site and manually install them. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by the Intelligent Updater, refer to the Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater), in the "Protection" section, at the top of this writeup.
The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are available here. For detailed instructions on how to download and install the Intelligent Updater virus definitions from the Symantec Security Response Web site, click here.
2. Restarting the computer in Safe mode or ending the Trojan process
Windows 95/98/Me
Restart the computer in Safe mode. All the Windows 32-bit operating systems, except for Windows NT, can be restarted in Safe mode. For instructions on how to do this, read the document, "How to start the computer in Safe Mode."
Windows NT/2000/XP
To end the Trojan process:
- Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete once.
- Click Task Manager.
- Click the Processes tab.
- Double-click the Image Name column header to alphabetically sort the processes.
- Scroll through the list and look for Wintask.exe.
- If you find the file, click it, and then click End Process.
- Exit the Task Manager.
3. Scanning for and deleting the infected files
- Start your Symantec antivirus program and make sure that it is configured to scan all the files.
- Run a full system scan.
- If any files are detected as infected with Backdoor.Hipo, click Delete.
4. Reversing the changes made to the registry
NOTE: If Backdoor.Hipo has deleted the Registry Editor (Regedit.exe), re-install it or replace it from a clean backup before you can continue.
CAUTION: Symantec strongly recommends that you back up the registry before you make 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.
Windows95/98/Me
- Click Start, and then click Run. (The Run dialog box appears.)
- Type regedit
Then click OK. (The Registry Editor opens.)
- Navigate to the key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- In the right pane, delete the value:
WinTask \wintask.exe
- Exit the Registry Editor.
Windows NT/2000/XP
- Click Start, and then click Run. (The Run dialog box appears.)
- Type regedit
Then click OK. (The Registry Editor opens.)
- Navigate to the key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\
PerformanceService
- In the right pane, delete the value:
PerformanceService %System%\wintask.exe
- Exit the Registry Editor.
