McAfee > Theat Center > Virus Detail Page

Overview

This is a trojan detection. Unlike viruses, trojans do not self-replicate. They are spread manually, often under the premise that they are beneficial or wanted. The most common installation methods involve system or security exploitation, and unsuspecting users manually executing unknown programs. Distribution channels include email, malicious or hacked web pages, Internet Relay Chat (IRC), peer-to-peer networks, etc.

Aliases

• Gpix.gen

Characteristics

This is an adware trojan that displays adult content advertising based on the websites visited by the infected user. When run, it displays a fake error message:

The trojan then copies itself to the WINDOWS SYSTEM (%SysDir%) as shellexpl.exe, creates a registry run key to load itself at system startup:

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
  Run "Explorer" = C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\shellexpl.exe en

The trojan deletes all cookies in the cookies folder. It then monitors newly created cookies for that contain the following words:

• amateur
• anal
• babes
• bbw
• bdsm
• blowjob
• bondage
• celeb
• chubby
• cumshot
• ebony
• facial
• fat
• fetish
• ffm
• gangbang
• grann
• groupsex
• hairy
• hardcore
• incest
• interracial
• lesb
• lingerie
• lolita
• mature
• midget
• milf
• mmf
• older
• orgy
• pant
• pee
• piss
• plump
• preg
• teens
• teeny
• virgin
• voyeur
• watersport
• wive

When a cookie is created that contains these words, an adult website is contacted, and advertisements are displayed on the infected system. The trojan makes use of 2 configuration files, also in the %SysDir% folder.

• hndldt.ini
• winhndl.ini

Symptoms

Presence of the following files in the SYSTEM directory:

• shellexpl.exe
• hndldt.ini
• winhndl.ini

Method of Infection

Trojans do not self-replicate. They are spread manually, often under the premise that the executable is something beneficial. It is likely that this trojan is being distributed under the premise that it contains adult video. Distribution channels include IRC, peer-to-peer networks, newsgroup postings, etc.

Removal

All Users:
Use specified engine and DAT files for detection and removal.

Modifications made to the system Registry and/or INI files for the purposes of hooking system startup, will be successfully removed if cleaning with the recommended engine and DAT combination (or higher).

Additional Windows ME/XP removal considerations

Variants

Variants

N/A

All Information

Overview -

This is a trojan detection. Unlike viruses, trojans do not self-replicate. They are spread manually, often under the premise that they are beneficial or wanted. The most common installation methods involve system or security exploitation, and unsuspecting users manually executing unknown programs. Distribution channels include email, malicious or hacked web pages, Internet Relay Chat (IRC), peer-to-peer networks, etc.

Aliases

• Gpix.gen

Characteristics

Characteristics -

This is an adware trojan that displays adult content advertising based on the websites visited by the infected user. When run, it displays a fake error message:

The trojan then copies itself to the WINDOWS SYSTEM (%SysDir%) as shellexpl.exe, creates a registry run key to load itself at system startup:

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
  Run "Explorer" = C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\shellexpl.exe en

The trojan deletes all cookies in the cookies folder. It then monitors newly created cookies for that contain the following words:

• amateur
• anal
• babes
• bbw
• bdsm
• blowjob
• bondage
• celeb
• chubby
• cumshot
• ebony
• facial
• fat
• fetish
• ffm
• gangbang
• grann
• groupsex
• hairy
• hardcore
• incest
• interracial
• lesb
• lingerie
• lolita
• mature
• midget
• milf
• mmf
• older
• orgy
• pant
• pee
• piss
• plump
• preg
• teens
• teeny
• virgin
• voyeur
• watersport
• wive

When a cookie is created that contains these words, an adult website is contacted, and advertisements are displayed on the infected system. The trojan makes use of 2 configuration files, also in the %SysDir% folder.

• hndldt.ini
• winhndl.ini

Symptoms

Symptoms -

Presence of the following files in the SYSTEM directory:

• shellexpl.exe
• hndldt.ini
• winhndl.ini

Method of Infection

Method of Infection -

Trojans do not self-replicate. They are spread manually, often under the premise that the executable is something beneficial. It is likely that this trojan is being distributed under the premise that it contains adult video. Distribution channels include IRC, peer-to-peer networks, newsgroup postings, etc.

Removal -

Removal -

All Users:
Use specified engine and DAT files for detection and removal.

Modifications made to the system Registry and/or INI files for the purposes of hooking system startup, will be successfully removed if cleaning with the recommended engine and DAT combination (or higher).

Additional Windows ME/XP removal considerations

Variants

Variants -

N/A