TROJ_FAKEAV.ZDF

This Trojan arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

It poses as an antispyware application that uses pop-up messages displayed on the System Tray to make users think that their systems are infected. This tricks users to purchase the complete version of the said application. It poses as an antispyware application that displays deceptive warnings and misleading scan results. It may also add other applications which it detects upon its installation. 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.

Arrival Details

This Trojan arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

Installation

This Trojan drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

• %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random name}.pspro

(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)

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\Run
{random name}.pspro = "%System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random name}.pspro --run"

Other System Modifications

This Trojan adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
.pspro

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
PSP

It adds the following registry entries as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
.pspro
@ = "exefile"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
.pspro
Content Type = "application/x-msdownload"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
PSP\shell\open\
command
@ = ""%System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\58AqlP8C8B2.pspro" --startexe "%1""

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
PSP\DefaultIcon
@ = "%1"

It modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe
@ = "PSP"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is exefile.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
.exe
@ = "PSP"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is exefile.)

Rogue Antivirus Routine

This Trojan poses as an antispyware application that uses pop-up messages on the System Tray to make users think that their systems are infected. This tricks users to purchase the complete version of the said application.

It poses as an antispyware application that displays deceptive warnings and misleading scan results. It may also add other applications which it detects upon its installation.

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.