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MetaSearch

Posted: March 28, 2006

MetaSearch is an adware program linked to a browser hijacker that alters the Internet Explorer home page. This means that every time computer users restart Windows, MetaSearch will replace their search page and home page. Most of the time, MetaSearch is installed by computer users manually, believing they are installing a useful tool, but they will conclude conclude that the benefits provided by MetaSearch don't compensate its negative side. MetaSearch also may enter the computer bundled with free games or applications. MetaSearch displays unreliable search results that will promote its sponsored websites through banner advertisements, added links and numerous pop-ups. MetaSearch will try to collect your browsing information and even other important data. MetaSearch may prompt the computer user to install free applications such as Java or Flash Player. Installing these fake versions, computer user will allow the entrance of other threats into their machines. To get rid of MetaSearch, you should use a malware removal tool.

File System Modifications

  • The following files were created in the system:
    # File Name
    1 sthomepage2.dll
    2 stlinks2.dll
    3 uninst.exe

Registry Modifications

  • The following newly produced Registry Values are:
    HKEY..\..\..\..{RegistryKeys}HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTHomePage.HomePageCtrlHKEY_CLASSES_ROOTHomePage.HomePageCtrl.1HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTSTLinks.STLinksCtrlHKEY_CLASSES_ROOTSTLinks.STLinksCtrl.1HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowserHelperObjectsHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallLinksHelperHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallQuickHomeSearch
  • The following CLSID's were detected:
    HKEY..\..\{CLSID Path}D77EECF7-095D-4437-A6F7-4E1D4000A8AAD31B7025-CC3A-40EA-B1D5-139EA9B70D00F93C87CE-0318-47DA-803A-3BA4C8FC0D6273A90743-6A64-425D-B4EA-44D7C839F565B54BFA47-D897-49CA-9657-05EC9F80A32B1B9CB0F8-118B-49C1-956D-B703E976F8E3
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