Adware.Dware

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Note: There are non-adware files that use the file name Dw.exe. An example is a file from Microsoft that is installed with some versions of Office XP. The file name alone does not indicate the presence of Adware.Dware.

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Adware.Dware is an adware program that uses the name "Downloadware" to display advertisements. When this adware is executed, it contacts fordaleltd.com on port 80. Then, it keeps open a connection to the server, which downloads and displays advertisements. The advertisements are generally displayed in a small browser window.

When Adware.Dware is installed, it does the following:

1. Adds the value:
   
   "Downloadware"="[path]\dw.exe /H"
   
   (where [path] is the location of the file) to the registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
   
   so that the program runs when you start Windows.
   
   
2. Creates the key:
   
   HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\DownloadWare
   
   and several subkeys.
   
   
3. Adds another key so that it can be uninstalled through the Add/Remove option in the Windows Control Panel.
   
   However, removing it using the Add/Remove option in the Control Panel seems to remove only the entry itself from the Add/Remove option; it does not appear to remove the files from the system, and it will not prevent itself from running when the system is started.
   
   Therefore, to remove this adware component, we recommend that you follow the removal instructions below.

This adware component contains several bugs, and therefore may occasionally crash.

Summary