TROJ_FAKEAV.SM1A
Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003
Threat Type: Trojan
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: Yes
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
This Trojan uses icons similar to those of legitimate applications to entice a user to click them.
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
Installation
This Trojan drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:
- %Application Data\{random}\{random}.exe
It drops the following non-malicious file:
- %Current%\AdobeFlashPlayer_10
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
{random} = %Application Data\{random}\{random}.exe
Propagation
This Trojan uses icons similar to those of legitimate applications to entice a user to click them.
Other Details
This Trojan does the following:
- It blocks execution of executable files.
- It modifies the affected system's desktop wallpaper.
Rogue Antivirus Routine
This Trojan 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
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
Restart in Safe Mode
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
- {random} = %Application Data\{random}\{random}.exe
- {random} = %Application Data\{random}\{random}.exe
Step 4
Search and delete this file
Step 5
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TROJ_FAKEAV.SM1A. 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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