NEED COMPUTER GEEK HELP!!

[Ian]

I went to run ad-aware a few minutes ago and it found a "module". as soon as it found it, my computer shut off. I think the name of it is surf sidekick3. the file name is ssk.exe . Now I searched for it and I couldn't find the file and every time I try to run ad-aware, it shuts my computer down once it finds that "module" thing. HELP!

[project89]

windows xp?
start in safe mode and search for the file again make sure the serach is searching for hidden files/and in system folders and that should find it so u can delete it

[project89]

Ssk.exe is a process belonging to an advertising program by Blue Tide Software. This process monitors your browsing habits and distributes the data back to the author's servers for analysis. This also prompts advertising popups. This program is a registered security risk and should be removed immediately.

[Brando56894]

to select safemode hit f8 before the xp screen comes up

[project89]

technical details
File names:
Ssk.exe
SskBho.dll
SskCore.dll
SSK_B5.EXE

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

1. Creates the following files:
* %Program Files%\SurfSideKick [version]\Ssk.exe
* %Program Files%\SurfSideKick [version]\SskBho.dll
* %Program Files%\SurfSideKick [version]\SskCore.dll
* %Temp%\sskupdater3.exe
* %Temp%\??.tmp
* %Temp%\SSK3_B5 Seedcorn 4.exe
* %Temp%\??.bat

Note:
* %ProgramFiles% is a variable that refers to the program files folder. By default, this is C:\Program Files.
* %Temp% is a variable that refers to the Windows temporary folder. By default, this is C:\Windows\TEMP (Windows 95/98/Me/XP) or C:\WINNT\Temp (Windows NT/2000).
* [version] refers to the current version number of the program.

2. Adds some of the following registry keys:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{000AB0005-FF12-42C2-8DF5-39E12E5F9C91}
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{CA0E28FA-1AFD-4C21-A8DC-70EB5BE2F076}
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{02EE5B04-F144-47BB-83FB-A60BD91B74A9}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Uninstall\Surf Sidekick
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Uninstall\Surf Sidekick_is1
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SurfSideKick2
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SurfSideKick3
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\SurfSideKick3

3. Adds some of the following values:

"SurfSideKick" = "%Program Files%\SurfSideKick\Ssk.exe"
"SurfSideKick 2" = "%Program Files%\SurfSideKick 2\Ssk.exe"
"SurfSideKick 3" = "%Program Files%\SurfSideKick 3\Ssk.exe"

to the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Run

so that the program runs every time Windows starts.

4. Deletes the value:

{CFBFAE00-17A6-11D0-99CB-00C04FD64497}

from the registry key

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\URLSearchHooks

5. Adds the values:

{02EE5B04-F144-47BB-83FB-A60BD91B74A9}
{CA0E28FA-1AFD-4C21-A8DC-70EB5BE2F076}

to the registry key

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\UrlSearchHooks

6. Adds the values:

{000AB0005-FF12-42C2-8DF5-39E12E5F9C91}
{02EE5B04-F144-47BB-83FB-A60BD91B74A9}
{CA0E28FA-1AFD-4C21-A8DC-70EB5BE2F076}

to the registry key

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\URLSearchHooks

7. Displays pop-up ads.

8. May attempt to connect to a predetermined Web site, download other adware programs and send on system information.

removal instructions

The following instructions pertain to all Symantec antivirus products that support Security Risk detection.

1. Update the definitions.
2. Uninstall Adware.SurfSideKick using the Add/Remove Programs utility.
3. Run a full system scan.
4. Delete the value that was added to the registry.

For specific details on each of these steps, read the following instructions.

1. To update the definitions
To obtain the most recent definitions, start your Symantec program and run LiveUpdate.

2. To uninstall the Adware

1. Do one of the following:
* On the Windows 98 taskbar:
1. Click Start > Settings > Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel window, double-click Add/Remove Programs.

* On the Windows Me taskbar:
1. Click Start > Settings > Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel window, double-click Add/Remove Programs.
If you do not see the Add/Remove Programs icon, click "...view all Control Panel options."

* On the Windows 2000 taskbar:
By default, Windows 2000 is set up the same as Windows 98, so follow the instructions for Windows 98. If otherwise, click Start, point to Settings > Control Panel, and then click Add/Remove Programs.

* On the Windows XP taskbar:
1. Click Start > Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel window, double-click Add or Remove Programs.

2. Click Surf Sidekick.


Note: You may need to use the scroll bar to view the whole list.


rerun scan after to make sure its gone,u may have to manually dlete some files and registry keys
3. Click Add/Remove, Change/Remove, or Remove (this varies with the operating system). Follow the prompts.

[Ian]

thanks guys for the VERY fast response. I'll let you know how it went in a few minutes...

[BigAls87Z28]

I looked it up on google.com

symantic.com

http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/ven...fsidekick.html

The following instructions pertain to all Symantec antivirus products that support Security Risk detection.

1. Update the definitions.
2. Uninstall Adware.SurfSideKick using the Add/Remove Programs utility.
3. Run a full system scan.
4. Delete the value that was added to the registry.

For specific details on each of these steps, read the following instructions.

1. To update the definitions
To obtain the most recent definitions, start your Symantec program and run LiveUpdate.

2. To uninstall the Adware

1. Do one of the following:
   • On the Windows 98 taskbar:
     1. Click Start > Settings > Control Panel.
     2. In the Control Panel window, double-click Add/Remove Programs.
   • On the Windows Me taskbar:
     1. Click Start > Settings > Control Panel.
     2. In the Control Panel window, double-click Add/Remove Programs.
        If you do not see the Add/Remove Programs icon, click "...view all Control Panel options."
   • On the Windows 2000 taskbar:
     By default, Windows 2000 is set up the same as Windows 98, so follow the instructions for Windows 98. If otherwise, click Start, point to Settings > Control Panel, and then click Add/Remove Programs.
   • On the Windows XP taskbar:
     1. Click Start > Control Panel.
     2. In the Control Panel window, double-click Add or Remove Programs.
2. Click Surf Sidekick.
   
   
   Note: You may need to use the scroll bar to view the whole list.
3. Click Add/Remove, Change/Remove, or Remove (this varies with the operating system). Follow the prompts.

3. To run the scan

1. Start your Symantec antivirus program, and then run a full system scan.
   
   Note: If you ran the Add/Remove programs applet as described in the previous section, all the files may have been removed, and thus none of them will be detected.
2. If any files are detected as Adware.SurfSideKick and depending on which software version you are using, you may see one or more of the following options:
   
   Note: This applies only to versions of Norton AntiVirus that support Security Risk detection. If you are running a version of Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition that supports Security Risk detection, and Security Risk detection has been enabled, you will only see a message box that gives the results of the scan. If you have questions in this situation, contact your network administrator.
   • Exclude (Not recommended): If you click this button, it will set the threat so that it is no longer detectable. That is, the antivirus program will keep the security risk on your computer and will no longer detect it to remove from your computer.
   • Ignore or Skip: This option tells the scanner to ignore the threat for this scan only. It will be detected again the next time that you run a scan.
   • Cancel: This option is new to Norton Antivirus 2005. It is used when Norton Antivirus 2005 has determined that it cannot delete a security risk. This Cancel option tells the scanner to ignore the threat for this scan only, and thus, the threat will be detected again the next time that you run a scan.
     
     To actually delete the security risk:
     • Click its file name (under the Filename column).
     • In the Item Information box that displays, write down the full path and file name.
     • Then use Windows Explorer to locate and delete the file.
       
       If Windows reports that it cannot delete the file, this indicates that the file is in use. In this situation, complete the rest of the instructions on this page, restart the computer in Safe mode, and then delete the file using Windows Explorer.
   • Delete: This option will attempt to delete the detected files. In some cases, the scanner will not be able to do this.
     • If you see a message, "Delete Failed" (or similar message), manually delete the file.
     • Click the file name of the threat that is under the Filename column.
     • In the Item Information box that displays, write down the full path and file name.
     • Then use Windows Explorer to locate and delete the file.
       
       If Windows reports that it cannot delete the file, this indicates that the file is in use. In this situation, complete the rest of the instructions on this page, restart the computer in Safe mode, and then delete the file using Windows Explorer.

4. To delete the value from the registry

Important: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.

1. Click Start > Run.
2. Type regedit
   
   Then click OK.
3. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Current Version\Run
4. In the right pane, delete the values:
   
   "SurfSideKick" = "%Program Files%\SurfSideKick\Ssk.exe"
   "SurfSideKick 3" = "%Program Files%\SurfSideKick 3\Ssk.exe"
5. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Run
6. In the right pane, delete the values:
   
   "SurfSideKick" = "%Program Files%\SurfSideKick\Ssk.exe"
   "SurfSideKick 3" = "%Program Files%\SurfSideKick 3\Ssk.exe"
7. Delete the values:
   
   {02EE5B04-F144-47BB-83FB-A60BD91B74A9}
   {CA0E28FA-1AFD-4C21-A8DC-70EB5BE2F076}
   
   from the registry key
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\UrlSearchHooks
8. Delete the values:
   
   {000AB0005-FF12-42C2-8DF5-39E12E5F9C91}
   {02EE5B04-F144-47BB-83FB-A60BD91B74A9}
   {CA0E28FA-1AFD-4C21-A8DC-70EB5BE2F076}
   
   from the registry key
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\URLSearchHooks
9. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\URLSearchHooks
10. In the right pane, right click and select New String Value. Set the name of this value to:
    
    {CFBFAE00-17A6-11D0-99CB-00C04FD64497}
    
    and leave the Value Data field blank.
11. Navigate to and delete the following keys:
    
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{000AB0005-FF12-42C2-8DF5-39E12E5F9C91}
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{CA0E28FA-1AFD-4C21-A8DC-70EB5BE2F076}
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{02EE5B04-F144-47BB-83FB-A60BD91B74A9}
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Uninstall\Surf Sidekick
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Uninstall\Surf Sidekick_is1
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SurfSideKick2
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SurfSideKick3
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\SurfSideKick3
12. Exit the Registry Editor.

[project89]

[Ian]

I have a problem. surf sidekick is not on the add/remove program list.

[project89]

ok then do this
ctrl+alt+delete to bring up the task manager make sure none of the ssk files are running if they are end them then
goto ur program files directory and find the surfsidekick folder and delete it
then goto c:temp and delete these files
sskupdater3.exe
??.tmp
SSK3_B5 Seedcorn 4.exe
??.bat
btw u have to do this in safe mode
also u have to ,make sure i.e is set to display hidden files and folders

[Brando56894]

ad-aware se wont get rid of it when its running in safe mode??

theres also a program that i use called unlocker which allows you to "unlock" processes that are in use and delete them. its a pretty cool program

[Ian]

I cant find that damn program anywhere!

[BigAls87Z28]

Ian, did you try what I posted? And as for tomorrow, I gotta go do soem work stuff, get a hair cut, and then im ready to go.

[Ian]

yes Al, I tried what you posted but I ran into a problem

"HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Current Version\Run"

I can get to microsoft, but under microsoft there is no "current version"

EDIT

never mind, I might be able to do it. I'll let you know in a little while

[Ian]

okay, I got all the way to :HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Current Version\Run" but when I clicked on run, all that was in the right plane was default and AIM

[Ian]

bah, I'll deal with this tomorrow. its not like my computer is messed up, I just cant run ad-aware without the comp shutting itself off

[Tsar]

[Brando56894]

Ian, go to HKEY Local Machine instead of HKEY Current User, its prolly there... i dont see why ad-aware wouldnt do the trick

Originally Posted by Ian

bah, I'll deal with this tomorrow. its not like my computer is messed up, I just cant run ad-aware without the comp shutting itself off

run it in safe mode!

[Ian]

I did run it in safe mode and it still shut off

[Tru2Chevy]

Look in the registry for this:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr ent Version\Run

You'll likely find more crap there....

- Justin

[Brando56894]

Originally Posted by Ian

I did run it in safe mode and it still shut off

wow thats odd....