Backdoor.OptixPro.13b - 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. Reverse the changes made to the registry.
3. Reverse the changes made to the Win.ini and System.ini files (Windows 95/98/Me).
4. Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as Backdoor.OptixPro.13b.
   

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. Reversing the changes made to the registry
The backdoor can hide some files and registry keys and it modifies the registry so that it runs when you start any .exe files.
Consequently, you should restart the computer in Safe mode or VGA mode before attempting to change the registry keys or scan for files.

1. Shut down the computer and turn off the power. Wait for at least 30 seconds, and then restart the computer in Safe mode or VGA mode.
   • For Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, or XP users, restart the computer in Safe mode. For instructions, read the document, "How to start the computer in Safe Mode."
   • For Windows NT 4 users, restart the computer in VGA mode.
     
2. Make a copy of the Registry Editor as a file with the .com extension, and then run that particular file.
   
   Do one of the following, depending on the version of Windows you are running:
   • Windows 95/98 users
     1. Click Start.
     2. Point to Programs.
     3. Click the MS-DOS Prompt. (A DOS window opens at the C:\Windows prompt.) Proceed to step C of this section.
        
        
   • Windows Me users
     1. Click Start.
     2. Point to Programs.
     3. Point to Accessories.
     4. Click the MS-DOS Prompt. (A DOS window opens at the C:\Windows prompt.) Proceed to step C of this section.
        
        
   • Windows NT 4.0/2000 users
     1. Click Start, and then click Run.
     2. Type command, and then press Enter. (A DOS window opens.)
     3. Type cd \winnt, and then press Enter.
     4. Go to step C of this section.
        
        
   • Windows XP users
     1. Click Start, and then click Run.
     2. Type command, and then press Enter. (A DOS window opens.)
     3. Type the following:
        
        cd\
        cd \windows
        
        Press Enter after typing each one.
        
     4. Proceed to step C of this section.
        
        
3. Type copy regedit.exe regedit.com
   
   and then press Enter.
   
   
4. Type start regedit.com
   
   and then press Enter. (The Registry Editor opens in front of the DOS window.)
   
   After you finish editing the registry, exit the Registry Editor, and then exit the DOS window as well.
   
   
5. Before continuing, Symantec strongly recommends that you back up the registry before making any changes to it. Incorrect changes to the registry can result in permanent data loss or corrupted files. Modify the specified keys only. For instructions, read the document, "How to make a backup of the Windows registry."
   
   
6. Navigate to and select the key:
   
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command
   
   NOTE: The HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT key contains many subkey entries that refer to other file extensions. One of these file extensions is .exe. Changing this extension can prevent any files ending with a .exe extension from running. Make sure that you completely browse through this path until you reach the \command subkey.
   
   Modify the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command subkey, shown in the following figure:
   
   <<=== NOTE: Modify this key.
   
   
7. In the right pane, double-click the (Default) value.
   
   
8. Delete the current value data, and then type:
   
   "%1" %*
   
   That is, type the characters: quote-percent-one-quote-space-percent-asterisk.
   
   
   NOTES
   • Under Windows 95/98/Me/NT, the Registry Editor automatically encloses the value within quotation marks. When you click OK, the (Default) value should look exactly like this:
     
     ""%1" %*"  
     
   • Under Windows 2000/XP, the additional quotation marks will not appear. When you click OK, the (Default) value should look exactly like this:
     
     "%1" %*
     
   • Make sure that you completely delete all the value data in the command key before typing the correct data. If you leave a space at the beginning of the entry, any attempt to run the program files will result in the error message, "Windows cannot find .exe." If this occurs, restart the entire process from the beginning of this section and make sure that you completely remove the current value data.
     
     
9. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
   
   
10. In the right pane, delete the value:
    
    <registry value name> %system%\<name of original Trojan file>
    
    
11. Navigate to the key:
    
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    
    
12. In the right pane, delete the value:
    
    <registry value name> %system%\<name of original Trojan file>
    
    
13. Navigate to the key:
    
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
    RunServices
    
    NOTE: This key is not found on all the computers.
    
    
14. In the right pane, delete the value:
    
    <registry value name> %system%\<name of original Trojan file>
    
    
15. Navigate to the key:
    
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Hardware Profiles\Current\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
    Internet Settings\
    
    
16. In the right pane, you can modify the value of:
    
    EnableAutoDial
    
    to:
    
    1
    
    Note: This value should be left at 0, unless you are familiar with the effect of modifying it.
    
    
17. Navigate to the key:
    
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
    Internet Settings\
    
    
18. In the right pane, you can modify the value of:
    
    EnableAutoDial
    
    to:
    
    1
    
    Note: This value should be left at 0, unless you are familiar with the effect of modifying it.
    
    
19. Navigate to the key:
    
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\RAS Autodial\Control\
    
    
20. In the right pane, you can modify the value of:
    
    DisableConnectionQuery
    
    to:
    
    0
    
    
21. Navigate to the key:
    
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\RAS Autodial\Control\
    
    
22. In the right pane, you can modify the value of:
    
    LoginSessionDisable
    
    to:
    
    0
    
    Note: This value should be left at 1, unless you are familiar with the effect of modifying it.
    
    
23. Exit the Registry Editor.
    
    

3. Reversing the changes made to the Win.ini and System.ini files
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 backup copies of the System.ini and Win.ini files, which you need to edit. If these backup copies exist, they will be in the C:\Windows\Recent folder. Symantec recommends that you delete the files 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 System.ini and Win.ini files and delete them. Windows will regenerate the files.
        
        
2. Click Start, and then click Run.
   
   
3. Type the following:
   
   edit c:\windows\win.ini
   
   and then click OK. (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 a line similar to:
   
   Run=%System%\<name of original Trojan file>
   
   
5. If this line exists, delete the entire line.
   
   
6. Click File, and then click Save.
   
   
7. Click File, and then click Exit.
   
   
8. Click Start, and then click Run.
   
   
9. Type the following:
   
   edit c:\windows\system.ini
   
   and then click OK. (The MS-DOS Editor opens.)
   
   NOTE: If Windows is installed in a different location, make the appropriate path substitution.
   
   
10. In the [boot] section of the file, look for a line similar to:
    
    shell=Explorer.exe <name of Trojan file>
    
    
11. If this line exists, delete everything to the right of Explorer.exe.
    
    When you are done, it should look like:
    
    shell=Explorer.exe
    
    
12. Click File, and then click Save.
    
    
13. Click File, and then click Exit.
    

4. 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.OptixPro.13b, click Delete.
4. Restart the computer in Normal mode.

Technical Details