TROJ_FAKEAV.SMDM
Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003
Threat Type: Trojan
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: No
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 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
1,114,624 bytes
PE
Yes
11 Mar 2010
Entices users to buy fake antivirus to steal their information
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:
- %Application Data%\{random numbers}.EXE
(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming 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} = %Application Data%\{malware name}.EXE
It drops the following files:
- %User Temp%\Start Menu\Programs\Security Tool.lnk - shortcut to the dropped copy
(Note: %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista and 7.)
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
8.900
7.445.00
07 Sep 2010
9/7/2010 12:00:00 AM
6.912.02
11 Mar 2010
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_FAKEAV.SMDM
- 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} = %Application Data%\{malware name}.EXE
Step 4
Search and delete this file
- %User Temp%\Start Menu\Programs\Security Tool.lnk
Step 5
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TROJ_FAKEAV.SMDM. 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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