TROJ_FAKEAV.FNZ

This malware uses social engineering methods to lure users into performing certain actions that may, directly or indirectly, cause malicious routines to be performed. Specifically, it makes use of <i>Newegg</i>, a popular online computer hardware/software seller.

To get a one-glance comprehensive view of the behavior of this Trojan, refer to the Threat Diagram shown below.

This Trojan arrives as an attachment to email messages spammed by other malware/grayware or malicious users. It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.

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. When users agree to buy the software, it connects to a certain URL.

Arrival Details

This Trojan arrives as an attachment to email messages spammed by other malware/grayware or malicious users.

It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.

It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting the following malicious websites:

• http://{BLOCKED}nthenet.net/1.html
• http://{BLOCKED}arbage.ru:8080/index.php?pid=10

Installation

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

• %Application Data%\{random characers}.exe

(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Application Data on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)

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 file name} = %Application Data%\{malware file name}.exe 0 49

Other Details

This Trojan does the following:

• It intercepts the execution of .EXE files and displays a message box informing users that the application they are trying to run is infected by a virus.

Rogue Antivirus Routine

This Trojan 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.

When users agree to buy the software, it connects to the following URL to continue the purchase:

• http://{BLOCKED}edpaymentgate.com