Trojan.Bookmarker.G - 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. Restart the computer in Safe mode or VGA mode.
4. Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as Trojan.Bookmarker.G.
5. Reverse the changes made to the registry.
6. Reset the Internet Explorer settings.
7. Reset the Intenet Explorer home page.
8. Reset the Internet Explorer Search page.
9. Delete the pornographic bookmarks.
   

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"

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.

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. 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.
  

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 Trojan.Bookmarker.G, click Delete.

5. Reversing the changes made to the registry
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.

Click Start, and then click Run.

1. Type regedit
   
   Then click OK.
   
   
2. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
   
   
3. In the right pane, delete the value:
   
   "olehelp"="%olehelp%\olehelp.exe"
   
   and
   
   "svchost" = "%SYSTEM%\olehelp.exe"
   
   
4. Exit the Registry Editor.
   
   
5. Restart the computer in Normal mode. For instructions, read the section on returning to Normal mode in the document, "How to start the computer in Safe Mode."
   

7. Resetting the Internet Explorer home page

1. Start Microsoft® Internet Explorer.
2. Connect to the Internet, and then go to the page that you want to set as your home page.
3. Click the Tools menu > Internet Options.
4. In the Home page section of the General tab, click Use Current, and then click OK.

For additional information, or if this procedure does not work, read the Microsoft® Knowledge Base article, "Home Page Setting Changes Unexpectedly, or You Cannot Change Your Home Page Setting, Article ID 320159."

8. Resetting the Internet Explorer Search page
Follow the instructions for your version of Windows.

Windows 98/Me/2000

1. Start Microsoft Internet Explorer.
2. Click the Search button on the toolbar.
3. In the Search pane, click Customize.
4. Click Reset.
5. Click Autosearch Settings.
6. Select a search site from the drop-down list, and then click OK.
7. Click OK.

Windows XP
Because Windows XP is set by default to use animated characters in the search, how you perform this can vary. Read all the instructions before you start.

1. Start Microsoft Internet Explorer.
2. Click the Search button on the toolbar.
3. Do one of the following:
   • If the pane that opens looks similar to this picture:
     
     
     
     
     click the word Customize. Then skip to step h.
     
     
   • If the pane that opens has the words "Search Companion" at the top and the center looks similar to this picture:
     
     
     
     
     
     click the "Change preferences" link as shown above. Proceed to step d.
     
     
4. Click the "Change Internet search behavior" link.
5. Under "Internet Search Behavior," click "With Classic Internet Search."
6. Click OK. Then close Internet Explorer. (You must close the program for the change to take effect.)
7. Start Internet Explorer. When the search pane opens, it should now look similar to this:
   
   
   
   
   Click the word Customize, and then go on to the next step.
   
   
8. In the Search pane, click Customize.
9. Click Reset.
10. Click Autosearch Settings.
11. Select a search site from the drop-down list, and then click OK.
12. Click OK.
13. Do one of the following:
    • If you were using (or want to continue using) the "Classic Internet Search" panel, stop here (or go on to the next section).
    • If you want to go back to the "Search Companion" search (it usual has an animated character at the button), go on to step n.
      
      
14. Click the word Customize again.
15. In the "Customize Search Settings" window, click "Use Search Companion," and then click OK.
16. Close Internet Explorer. The next time that you open it, it will again use the Search Companion.

9. Remove the pornographic bookmarks

1. In Internet Explorer, click on Favorites on the toolbar.
2. Right click on any unwanted bookmarks and select to delete them.

Technical Details