Trojan.Bookmarker.F - Removal

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

1. Disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP).
2. Update the virus definitions.
3. Remove the registry values that the Trojan added.
4. Restart the computer in Safe mode or VGA mode.
5. Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as Trojan.Bookmarker.F or Adware.FindemNow, and then restart in Normal mode.
6. Reset the Internet Explorer settings.
7. Remove the links added to the Internet Explorer favorites folder.
8. Remove the added lines from the hosts file.
   

For details on each of these steps, read the following instructions.

1. Disabling System Restore (Windows Me/XP)
If you are running Windows Me or Windows XP, we recommend that you temporarily turn off System Restore. Windows Me/XP uses this feature, which is enabled by default, to restore the files on your computer in case they become damaged. If a virus, worm, or Trojan infects a computer, System Restore may back up the virus, worm, or Trojan on the computer.

Windows prevents outside programs, including antivirus programs, from modifying System Restore. Therefore, antivirus programs or tools cannot remove threats in the System Restore folder. As a result, System Restore has the potential of restoring an infected file on your computer, even after you have cleaned the infected files from all the other locations.

Also, a virus scan may detect a threat in the System Restore folder even though you have removed the threat.

For instructions on how to turn off System Restore, read your Windows documentation, or one of the following articles:

• "How to disable or enable Windows Me System Restore"
• "How to turn off or turn on Windows XP System Restore"
  

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Note: When you are completely finished with the removal procedure and are satisfied that the threat has been removed, re-enable System Restore by following the instructions in the aforementioned documents.

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For additional information, and an alternative to disabling Windows Me System Restore, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article, "Antivirus Tools Cannot Clean Infected Files in the _Restore Folder," Article ID: Q263455.

2. 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: Read "How to update virus definition files using the Intelligent Updater" for detailed instructions.

3. Removing the registry values

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WARNING: 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. Read the document, "How to make a backup of the Windows registry," for instructions.

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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\TypeLib\
   
   
4. In the left pane, delete the subkey:
   
   {53B95204-7D77-11D2-9F80-00104B107C96}
   
   
5. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\
   
   
6. In the left pane, delete the subkey:
   
   {53B95210-7D77-11D2-9F80-00104B107C96}
   
   
7. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\
   
   
8. In the left pane, delete the subkey:
   
   Xmlmimefilter.XMLMimeFilterPP.1
   
   
9. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\
   
   
10. In the left pane, delete the subkey:
    
    {53B95211-7D77-11D2-9F80-00104B107C96}
    
    
11. Navigate to the key:
    
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\PROTOCOLS\Handler\about
    
    
12. In the right pane, restore "CLSID" to its original value.
    
    The probable original value is:
    
    "CLSID" = "{53B95211-7D77-11D2-9F80-00104B107C96}"

4. Restarting the computer in Safe mode or VGA mode
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.

5. 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 Trojan.Bookmarker.F or Adware.FindemNow, click Delete.
4. Restart the computer to Normal mode.

6. Reset the Internet Explorer settings

1. Start Internet Explorer.
2. Click the Tools menu > Internet Options.
3. On the Programs Tab, click "Reset Web Settings."
4. In the Reset Web Settings box, make sure that "Also reset my home page" is selected, and then click Yes.
   

7. Removing links added to Favorites

1. Start Internet Explorer.
2. Click Favorites, and then Organize Favorites.
3. Delete the links to the pornographic Web sites that the Trojan inserted.
   

8. Removing the added lines from the Windows Hosts file

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Note: The location of the Hosts file may vary and some computers may not have this file. For example, if the file exists in Windows 98, it will usually be in C:\Windows; and it is located in the C:\WINNT\system32\drivers\etc folder in Windows 2000. There may also be multiple copies of this file in different locations.

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Follow the instructions for your operating system:

• Windows 98/Me/2000
  1. Click Start, point to Find or Search, and then click Files or Folders.
  2. Make sure that "Look in" is set to (C:) and that "Include subfolders" is checked.
  3. In the "Named" or "Search for..." box, type:
     
     hosts
     
     
  4. Click Find Now or Search Now.
  5. For each one that you find, right-click it, and then click "Open With."
  6. Deselect the "Always use this program to open this program" check box.
  7. Scroll through the list of programs and double-click Notepad.
  8. Delete any lines that begin with:
     
     213.159.117.235
     
  9. Close Notepad and save your changes when prompted.
     
     
• Windows XP
  1. Click Start, and then click Search.
  2. Click All files and folders.
  3. In the "All or part of the file name" box, type:
     
     hosts
     
     
  4. Verify that "Look in" is set to "Local Hard Drives" or to (C:).
  5. Click "More advanced options."
  6. Check "Search system folders."
  7. Check "Search subfolders."
  8. Click Search.
  9. Click Find Now or Search Now.
  10. For each one that you find, right-click it, and then click "Open With."
  11. Deselect the "Always use this program to open this program" check box.
  12. Scroll through the list of programs and double-click Notepad.
  13. Delete any lines begin with:
      
      213.159.117.235.
      
  14. Close Notepad and save your changes when prompted.

Technical Details