SearchAssist

SearchAssist is a browser toolbar that can display pop-up advertisements and monitor our Web browsing activities. It is also known as advertising software, displays third-party advertising on the computer. The ads can take several forms, including pop-ups, pop-unders, banners, or links embedded within web pages or parts of the Windows interface. Some adware advertising might consists of text ads shown within the application itself or within side bars, search bars, and search results. Adware is often contextually or behaviorally based and tracks browsing habits in order to display ads that are meant to be relevant to the user.0

General information:

Malware Name: SearchAssist
Malware Type: Adware
Company Name: Top Rebates
Company URL: http://www.toprebates.com/
Threat Level: Moderate Risk
Operating System: WIN XP
Installation Type: Installed through EXE
Operation: Time of After Installation.

Company Description:

Top Rebates is an online incentive marketing platform that rewards loyal members with incentives based on their customers' online activity. The service includes both a Top Rebates branded version at www.toprebates.com as well as private label versions for companies including eScrip, IMSI, Aladdin Systems and others. Top Rebates leverages the existing customer acquisition practices of its partners including a marketing mix of web site promotion, online advertising, search engine keyword listings, email marketing and more.

Spyware Description:

SearchAssist is a browser toolbar that can display pop-up advertisements and monitor our Web browsing activities. It is also known as advertising software, displays third-party advertising on the computer. The ads can take several forms, including pop-ups, pop-unders, banners, or links embedded within web pages or parts of the Windows interface. Some adware advertising might consists of text ads shown within the application itself or within side bars, search bars, and search results. Adware is often contextually or behaviorally based and tracks browsing habits in order to display ads that are meant to be relevant to the user.0

Characteristics/Symptoms:

    -> It has a search function and provides search results for paid advertisers -> Track browsing habits -> Adds a third-party utility bar to the web browser -> Changes browser0

Additional information might be found here:

google Search at Google for SearchAssist
bing Search at Bing for SearchAssist
yahoo Search at Yahoo for SearchAssist

Processes Running:

pxckdla.exe

File information Created after Installation:

File Location Size (Bytes) Type
C:\WINDOWS\pxckdla.exe 64 Application
C:\WINDOWS\pxckdlauninstall.exe 108 Application

Folder information Created after Installation:

Folder Location

Registry information Created after Installation:

Main Registry Key Sub Registry Key Key Value Name