Analysis by: Sammy Chua
ALIASES:

Adware-BProtect (McAfee); Backdoor.Trojan (Symantec); Troj/Bprotect-G (Sophos)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Potentially Unwanted Application

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This potentially unwanted application may arrive bundled with malware packages as a malware component. It arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

It requires its main component to successfully perform its intended routine.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 4,125,184 bytes
File Type: DLL
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 06 Jan 2015

Arrival Details

This potentially unwanted application may arrive bundled with malware packages as a malware component.

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

Other System Modifications

This potentially unwanted application adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\{GUID}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AppDataLow\
{GUID}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\{GUID}\
_{hexadecimal number}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AppDataLow\
{GUID}\_{hexadecimal number}

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
LoadAppInit_DLLs = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
AppInit_DLLs = "{PUA file path}\{PUA file name}.dll"

Other Details

This potentially unwanted application connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • www.b{BLOCKED}.com

It requires its main component to successfully perform its intended routine.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.750

Step 1

Before doing any scans, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 users must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of their computers.

Step 2

Note that not all files, folders, and registry keys and entries are installed on your computer during this malware's/spyware's/grayware's execution. This may be due to incomplete installation or other operating system conditions. If you do not find the same files/folders/registry information, please proceed to the next step.

Step 3

Identifying the Grayware Files

Download the latest spyware pattern file and scan your computer. Note the path and file name of all files detected as PUA_POPTIMIZER.GA.

Step 4

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 5

Search and delete the files detected as PUA_POPTIMIZER.GA

*Note: Some component files may be hidden. Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the More advanced options option to include all hidden files and folders in the search result.

To stop the malware/grayware from running when certain files are opened:

For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003:

  1. Right-click Start then click Search....
  2. In the File name* input box, type the name of the file that was detected earlier.
  3. In the Look In drop-down list, select My Computer then press Enter.
  4. Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
    *Note: The file name input box title varies depending on the Windows version (e.g. Search for files or folders named or All or part of the file name.).

For Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 (R2):

  1. Open a Windows Explorer window.
    • For Windows Vista, 7, and Server 2008 users, click Start>Computer.
    • For Windows 8, 8.1, and Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen,then click File Explorer.
  2. In the Search Computer/This PC input box, type the name of the file that was detected earlier.
  3. Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
    *Note: Read the following Microsoft page if these steps do not work on Windows 7.

Step 6

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.

 
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\{GUID}
    • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AppDataLow\{GUID}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\{GUID}\_{hexadecimal number}
    • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AppDataLow\{GUID}\_{hexadecimal number}

Step 7

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 NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
    • LoadAppInit_DLLs = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
    • AppInit_DLLs = "{PUA file path}\{PUA file name}.dll"

Step 8

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as PUA_POPTIMIZER.GA. 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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