Analysis by: Michael Cabel
 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 DAMAGE POTENTIAL:
 DISTRIBUTION POTENTIAL:
 REPORTED INFECTION:

  • Threat Type: Adware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This adware arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 86,016 bytes
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 07 Apr 2011

Arrival Details

This adware arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

Installation

This adware drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %Program Files%\TimeSink\AdGateway\TSADBOT.exe

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files.)

It creates the following folders:

  • %Program Files%\TimeSink\AdGateway

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files.)

Autostart Technique

This adware adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
TimeSink Ad Client = ""%Program Files%\TimeSink\AdGateway\TSADBOT.exe""

Other System Modifications

This adware adds the following registry keys as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\TimeSink, Inc.

NOTES:
This adware connects to the following ad-server to download advertisements, displays ad banners and fullscreen advertisements:

  • {BLOCKED}raps.conducent.com

This adware may also track your browser history, cache files and online shopping habits of the affected user.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.200
SSAPI PATTERN File: 1.164.28
SSAPI PATTERN Date: 07 Apr 2011

Step 1

For Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 users, before doing any scans, please make sure you disable System Restore to allow full scanning of your computer.

Step 2

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 3

Delete this registry value

[ Learn More ]

Important: Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this step only if you know how or you can ask assistance from your system administrator. Else, check this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.

  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • TimeSink Ad Client = ""%Program Files%\TimeSink\AdGateway\TSADBOT.exe""

Step 4

Delete this registry key

[ Learn More ]

Important: Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this step only if you know how or you can ask assistance from your system administrator. Else, check this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry. Before you could do this, you must restart in Safe Mode. For instructions on how to do this, you may refer to this page If the preceding step requires you to restart in safe mode, you may proceed to edit the system registry.

  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
    • TimeSink, Inc.

Step 5

Search and delete these folders

[ Learn More ]
Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the More advanced options option to include all hidden folders in the search result. %Program Files%\TimeSink

Step 6

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as ADW_TIMESINK.A. If the detected files have already been cleaned, deleted, or quarantined by your Trend Micro product, no further step is required. You may opt to simply delete the quarantined files. Please check this Knowledge Base page for more information.


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