Tsad.dll
Vcpdll.dll
FlexActv.dll
Addon2VB.dll

 

Adware.TSAdbot 
Last Updated on: May 29, 2004 10:34:47 AM

Type:  Adware
 
Name:  TSAdBot
Version:  4.0.0.7
Publisher:  Conducent Technologies, Inc.
Systems Affected:  Windows 2000, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows XP
Systems Not Affected:  DOS, Linux, Macintosh, OS/2, UNIX, Windows 3.x
 
Removal:  Low
Damage:  Low
 
Intelligent Updater Definitions*
 September 24, 2003 
 
LiveUpdate™ Definitions **
 September 24, 2003 
 
* Intelligent Updater definitions are released daily, but require manual download and installation.
Click here to download manually.
 
**
 LiveUpdate definitions are usually released every Wednesday.
Click here for instructions on using LiveUpdate.

This threat can be detected only by Symantec products that support expanded threats. For more information on expanded threats, please go here.

 

Behavior

Adware.TSAdbot is an adware component, which connects to an advertisement server of Conducent Technologies, downloads new advertisements and displays flashing ad banners and full screen ads. This adware may also record your Web browser history, cache files, and other personal information.

 

Symptoms

The files on the system are detected as Adware.TSAdbot.

 

Transmission

This adware component must be manually installed or installed as a component of another software, such as the Windows version of PKZIP.

 

File names: Tsadbot.exe

When Adware.TSAdbot is executed, it performs the following actions:

Copies itself to C:\ Program Files\TimeSink\AdGateway\TSADBOT.exe.

If the complete adware is installed, it may drop one or more of the following .dll files to the Windows root folder or System directory:

Tsad.dll
Vcpdll.dll
FlexActv.dll
Addon2VB.dll

Adds a value that contains one of the following:

 

"Conducent"
"Timesink"
"Tsadbot.exe"

to the registry keys:

 

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices

Creates one or more of the following new registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\TimeSink,Inc.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\TimeSink
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\TimeSink
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\TimeSink,Inc.

If the complete adware is installed, it adds a value that contains one of the following:

"FlexAct"
"Tsad.dll"
"Vcpdll.dll"
"Tsadbot.exe"
"Addon2VB.dll"

to the registry key:

 

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shareddlls

Connects to an advertisement server of Conducent Technologies, downloads new advertisements, and displays flashing ad banners and fullscreen advertisements.

May track your browser history, cache files, and other personal information.

 

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Removing this adware component from the system will likely cause the program that installed it to not function as intended. The uninstaller generally identifies the programs that will not work after uninstallation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Update the virus definitions.
Restart in Safe mode.
Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as Adware.TSAdbot.
Delete the values or keys from the registry.

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

2. Restarting the computer in Safe 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 instructions, read the document, "How to start the computer in Safe Mode."

3. Scanning for and deleting the infected files
Start Norton AntiVirus and make sure that it is configured to scan all the files. For more information, read the document, "How to configure Norton AntiVirus to scan all files."
Run a full system scan.
If any files are detected as infected with Adware.TSAdbot, click Delete.
If the full version of the adware is installed, you may need to delete the following .dll files in the Windows root diretory or system directory:
tsad.dll, vcpdll.dll, FlexActv.dll, Addon2VB.dll.

4. Deleting the values from the registry

CAUTION: 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. (The Run dialog box appears.)
Type regedit

Then click OK. (The Registry Editor opens.)

Navigate to the key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices

NOTE: Both keys may not exist on all systems

In the right pane, delete any values pertaining to the string "Conducent" or "Timesink" or "Tsadbot.exe" .

Navigate to the key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shareddlls

In the right pane, delete any values pertaining to the string contains "FlexAct" or "tsad.dll" or "vcpdll.dll" or "tsadbot.exe" or "Addon2VB.dll".

Delete the following registry keys if they exist:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\TimeSink,Inc.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\TimeSink
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\TimeSink
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\TimeSink,Inc.

Exit the Registry Editor.