Threat Descriptions

Adware:W32/Popmenu

Classification

Category :

Spyware

Type :

Adware

Platform :

W32

Aliases :

-

Summary

This program delivers advertising content to the user. It is usually annoying but harmless, unless it is combined with spyware or trackware.

Removal

Based on the settings of your F-Secure security product, it may block the file from running, move it to the quarantine where it cannot spread or cause harm, or ask you to select an action.

A False Positive is when a file is incorrectly detected as harmful, usually because its code or behavior resembles known harmful programs. A False Positive will usually be fixed in a subsequent database update without any action needed on your part. If you wish, you may also:

  • Check for the latest database updates

    First check if your F-Secure security program is using the latest updates, then try scanning the file again.

  • Submit a sample

    After checking, if you still believe the file is incorrectly detected, you can submit a sample of it for re-analysis.

    Note: If the file was moved to quarantine, you need to collect the file from quarantine before you can submit it.

  • Exclude a file from further scanning

    If you are certain that the file is safe and want to continue using it, you can exclude it from further scanning by the F-Secure security product.

    Note: You need administrative rights to change the settings.

Technical Details

Adware:W32/Popmenu is a Browser Helper Object (BHO) that installs a toolbar on the Internet Explorer (IE) web browser and displays out of context advertisements unrelated to the user's search.

Installation

When Popmenu's executable file is first run, it opens a new window showing the installation progress of 'Desktop Smiley toolbar'. No End User License Agreement is shown and no input from the user is needed during installation.

During installation, the program attempts to download files from these websites:

  • https://www.desktopsmiley.com/[...].dop.pixelType=16 admin=1& User-Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1;& .NET&& CLR 2.0.50727)
  • https://www.desktopsmiley.com/toolbar/desktopsmiley/[...]/CurrentVersion.xml& User-Agent: HTTP Wininet

The installation is aborted if the download is not successful.

The adware is installed in the following folder:

  • C:/Program Files/DoubleD/Desktop Smiley Toolbar/[version]

Where the [version] is obtained from the website. The adware also installs the following files:

  • stb0.dll
  • stbAol.dll
  • stbapp.dll
  • stbapp.exe
  • stbappHelper.exe
  • stbasst.exe
  • stbdl.exe
  • stbIE.dll
  • stbMsn.dll
  • stbOL.dll
  • stbOLEX.dll
  • stbsvc.exe
  • stbYahoo8.dll
  • stbYahoo9.dll

The following registry key is modified to enable the adware to run at system start up:

  • HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run& Data="C:/Program Files/DoubleD/Desktop Smiley Toolbar/[version] folder/stbapp.exe"

While the following registry key is modified to install a toolbar in IE:

  • HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar& Data="C:/Program Files/DoubleD/Desktop Smiley Toolbar/[version] folder/stb0.dll"