Spyware.SmartBrowse

Behavior

The Netster Smart Browse toolbar:

• Is an Internet Explorer toolbar with spyware-related functions.
• Has replaced the Internet Explorer search destination to netster.com.
• Tracks usage of search queries, clicked links on the toolbar, as well as search terms and other information in the netster.com server logs, which netster.com uses to better tailor future advertising content.
• The user names and email addresses can be taken from several opt-in parts of the toolbar and given to third parties for advertising purposes.

Symptoms

One or more files is detected as Spyware.Smartbrowse.

Transmission

Spyware.Smartbrowse is installed via an ActiveX installer.

Protection

• Initial Rapid Release version November 23, 2004
• Latest Rapid Release version June 14, 2008 revision 017
• Initial Daily Certified version November 23, 2004
• Latest Daily Certified version July 24, 2008 revision 024
• Initial Weekly Certified release date November 23, 2004

Click here for a more detailed description of Rapid Release and Daily Certified virus definitions.