TROJ_FAKELRT.SMX
Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003
Threat Type: Trojan
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted:
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
This Trojan may be dropped by other malware. It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.
It displays fake alerts. It installs a fake antivirus/antispyware software. It displays fake alerts that warn users of infection. It also displays fake scanning results of the affected system. It then asks for users to purchase it once scanning is completed. If users decide to purchase the rogue product, users are directed to a certain website asking for sensitive information, such as credit card numbers.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Varies
EXE
Yes
25 Oct 2010
Arrival Details
This Trojan may be dropped by other malware.
It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.
Installation
This Trojan drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:
- %User Profile%\Local Settings\Application Data\{random number}.exe
(Note: %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista and 7.)
It drops the following files:
- %User Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Security Tool.lnk
(Note: %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista and 7.)
Autostart Technique
This Trojan adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
{malware name} = "{malware path and file name}.EXE" 0 27
Rogue Antivirus Routine
This Trojan displays fake alerts.
It installs a fake antivirus/antispyware software.
It displays fake alerts that warn users of infection. It also displays fake scanning results of the affected system. It then asks for users to purchase it once scanning is completed. If users decide to purchase the rogue product, users are directed to a certain website asking for sensitive information, such as credit card numbers.
SOLUTION
8.900
Step 1
Before doing any scans, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 users must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of their computers.
Step 2
Identify and terminate files detected as TROJ_FAKELRT.SMX
- Windows Task Manager may not display all running processes. In this case, please use a third-party process viewer, preferably Process Explorer, to terminate the malware/grayware/spyware file. You may download the said tool here.
- If the detected file is displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer but you cannot delete it, restart your computer in safe mode. To do this, refer to this link for the complete steps.
- If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.
Step 3
Delete this registry value
Important: Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this step only if you know how or you can ask assistance from your system administrator. Else, check this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- {malware name} = {malware path and file name}.EXE 0 27
- {malware name} = {malware path and file name}.EXE 0 27
Step 4
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TROJ_FAKELRT.SMX. If the detected files have already been cleaned, deleted, or quarantined by your Trend Micro product, no further step is required. You may opt to simply delete the quarantined files. Please check this Knowledge Base page for more information.
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