Backdoor.Pointex - Removal

The following instructions pertain to all current and recent Symantec antivirus products, including the Symantec AntiVirus and Norton AntiVirus product lines.

1. Update the virus definitions.
2. Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as Backdoor.Pointex.
3. Reverse the changes that were made to the registry.
4. Edit the line that was added to the Win.ini file (Windows 95/98/Me only).
   

For specific details on each of these steps, 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 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).
• 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).
  
  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. Scanning for and deleting the infected files

1. Start your Symantec antivirus program and make sure that it is configured to scan all the files.
   • For Norton AntiVirus consumer products: Read the document, "How to configure Norton AntiVirus to scan all files."
   • For Symantec AntiVirus Enterprise products: Read the document, "How to verify that a Symantec Corporate antivirus product is set to scan All Files."
2. Run a full system scan.
3. If any files are detected as infected with Backdoor.Pointex, click Delete.

3. Reversing the changes that were made to the registry

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.

NOTE: This Trojan makes several changes to the registry. To reverse some of these changes, you will need to know the correct information for your operating system and installation, as this information varies. In these cases, although examples may be given, they are examples only, and may not be correct for your particular installation.

1. Click Start, and then click Run. (The Run dialog box appears.)
   
   
2. Type regedit
   
   Then click OK. (The Registry Editor opens.)
   
   
3. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
   
   
4. In the right pane, delete the value:
   
   "CnsMax"="%Windows%\Internat.exe"
   
   
5. Navigate to and select the key:
   
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\txtfile\shell\open\command
   
   
6. In the right pane, double-click the (Default) value.
   
   
7. Delete the current value data and replace it with the correct value for your version of Windows.
   
   NOTE: This value varies with the version of Windows and, on some systems, the installation path. You may need to look at the same key on a working computer that has the same version of Windows and configuration to determine this.
   
   Two common values are:
   
   • Windows 98: C:\Windows\Notepad.exe %
   • Windows 2000: %SystemRoot%\system32\NOTEPAD.EXE %1
     
     
8. Navigate to each of these keys:
   
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\mp3file\shell\open\command
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\mpegfile\shell\open\command
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\notepad.exe\shell\open\command
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\mailto\shell\open\command
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\mailto\shell\open\command
   
   
9. For each one, in the right pane, double-click the (Default) value. Then delete the current value data and replace it with the correct value for your version of Windows.
   
   NOTE: This value varies with the version of Windows and, on some systems, the installation path. You may need to look at the same key on a working computer that has the same version of Windows and configuration to determine this.
   
   
10. Exit the Registry Editor.

4. Editing the Win.ini file
If you are running Windows 95/98/Me, follow these steps:

1. The function you perform depends on your operating system:
   • Windows 95/98: Go to step b.
   • Windows Me: If you are running Windows Me, the Windows Me file-protection process may have made a backup copy of the Win.ini file that you need to edit. If this backup copy exists, it will be in the C:\Windows\Recent folder. Symantec recommends that you delete this file before continuing with the steps in this section. To do this:
     1. Start Windows Explorer.
     2. Browse to and select the C:\Windows\Recent folder.
     3. In the right pane, select the Win.ini file and delete it. The Win.ini file will be regenerated when you save your changes to it in step f.
        
        
2. Click Start, and then click Run.
   
   
3. Type the following, and then click OK.
   
   edit c:\windows\win.ini
   
   (The MS-DOS Editor opens.)
   
   NOTE: If Windows is installed in a different location, make the appropriate path substitution.
   
   
4. In the [windows] section of the file, look for the line:
   
   run=%System%\Outlook32.exe
   
   
5. If this line exists, delete the entire line.
   
   
6. Click File, and then click Save.
   
   
7. Click File, and then click Exit.

Technical Details