Friday
2008-11-30, 00:01
The following instructions have been created to help you to get rid of "SecondThought.STCLoader" manually.
Use this guide at your own risk; software should usually be better suited to remove malware, since it is able to look deeper.
If this guide was helpful to you, please consider donating towards this site (http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=donate).
Threat Details:
Categories:
adware
spyware
Description:
This spyware runs in background without user consent and tries to collect personal information about the user.
Privacy Statement:
- To insure you always have the latest version and for your convenience this software will automatically update itself from time to time once installed.
- In order for us to keep this software free we will open advertisements while you surf the web that we feel will broaden your surfing experience.
- Information in regards to your browsing will be sent to our servers, such as how long you surf for, and your surfing habits.
Links (be careful!):
Company: http://www.2nd-thought.com/
Terms of Service: http://www.2nd-thought.com/terms.html
Removal Instructions:
Autorun:
Please use Spybot-S&D (http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=spybotsd), RunAlyzer (http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=runalyzer) or msconfig.exe to remove the following autorun entries.
Entries named "stcloader".
Entries pointing to "stcloader.exe".
Files:
Please use Windows Explorer or another file manager of your choice to locate and delete these files.
The file at "<$WINDIR>\stcloader.exe".
The file at "<$WINDIR>\Installer\id53.exe".
The file at "<$SYSDIR>\stcloader.exe".
Make sure you set your file manager to display hidden and system files. If SecondThought.STCLoader uses rootkit technologies, use our RootAlyzer (http://forums.spybot.info/downloads.php?id=8) or our Total Commander anti-rootkit plugins (http://forums.spybot.info/downloads.php?id=3).
You will have to use a global search for files without a name specified. Be extra careful, because just the name might not be enough to identify files!
Registry:
You can use regedit.exe (included in Windows) to locate and delete these registry entries.
Delete the registry key "{13197ACE-6851-45C3-A7FF-C281324D5489}" at "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Code Store Database\Distribution Units\".
If SecondThought.STCLoader uses rootkit technologies, use our RegAlyzer (http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=regalyzer), RootAlyzer (http://forums.spybot.info/downloads.php?id=8) or our Total Commander anti-rootkit plugins (http://forums.spybot.info/downloads.php?id=3).
Final Words:
If neither Spybot-S&D nor self help did resolve the issue or you would prefer one on one help,
Please read these instructions (http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=288) before requesting assistance,
Then start your own thread in the Malware Removal Forum (http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22) where a volunteer analyst will advise you as soon as available.
Use this guide at your own risk; software should usually be better suited to remove malware, since it is able to look deeper.
If this guide was helpful to you, please consider donating towards this site (http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=donate).
Threat Details:
Categories:
adware
spyware
Description:
This spyware runs in background without user consent and tries to collect personal information about the user.
Privacy Statement:
- To insure you always have the latest version and for your convenience this software will automatically update itself from time to time once installed.
- In order for us to keep this software free we will open advertisements while you surf the web that we feel will broaden your surfing experience.
- Information in regards to your browsing will be sent to our servers, such as how long you surf for, and your surfing habits.
Links (be careful!):
Company: http://www.2nd-thought.com/
Terms of Service: http://www.2nd-thought.com/terms.html
Removal Instructions:
Autorun:
Please use Spybot-S&D (http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=spybotsd), RunAlyzer (http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=runalyzer) or msconfig.exe to remove the following autorun entries.
Entries named "stcloader".
Entries pointing to "stcloader.exe".
Files:
Please use Windows Explorer or another file manager of your choice to locate and delete these files.
The file at "<$WINDIR>\stcloader.exe".
The file at "<$WINDIR>\Installer\id53.exe".
The file at "<$SYSDIR>\stcloader.exe".
Make sure you set your file manager to display hidden and system files. If SecondThought.STCLoader uses rootkit technologies, use our RootAlyzer (http://forums.spybot.info/downloads.php?id=8) or our Total Commander anti-rootkit plugins (http://forums.spybot.info/downloads.php?id=3).
You will have to use a global search for files without a name specified. Be extra careful, because just the name might not be enough to identify files!
Registry:
You can use regedit.exe (included in Windows) to locate and delete these registry entries.
Delete the registry key "{13197ACE-6851-45C3-A7FF-C281324D5489}" at "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Code Store Database\Distribution Units\".
If SecondThought.STCLoader uses rootkit technologies, use our RegAlyzer (http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=regalyzer), RootAlyzer (http://forums.spybot.info/downloads.php?id=8) or our Total Commander anti-rootkit plugins (http://forums.spybot.info/downloads.php?id=3).
Final Words:
If neither Spybot-S&D nor self help did resolve the issue or you would prefer one on one help,
Please read these instructions (http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=288) before requesting assistance,
Then start your own thread in the Malware Removal Forum (http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22) where a volunteer analyst will advise you as soon as available.