TROJ_FAKEAL.VTG
Windows 2000, Windows, XP, Windows Server 2003
Threat Type: Trojan
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: No
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
This Trojan may arrive bundled with malware packages as a malware component.
It connects to certain URLs. It may do this to remotely inform a malicious user of its installation. It may also do this to download possibly malicious files onto the computer, which puts the computer at a greater risk of infection by other threats.
It requires its main component to successfully perform its intended routine.
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
Arrival Details
This Trojan may arrive bundled with malware packages as a malware component.
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
Privacy Protection = {malware path and filename}
Other System Modifications
This Trojan adds the following registry keys as part of its installation routine:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{random}
Download Routine
This Trojan connects to the following malicious URLs:
- http://{BLOCKED}re4download.com
Other Details
This Trojan requires its main component to successfully perform its intended routine.
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
For Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 users, before doing any scans, please make sure you disable System Restore to allow full scanning of your computer.
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\Run
- Privacy Protection = {malware path and filename}
- Privacy Protection = {malware path and filename}
Step 4
Delete this registry key
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. Before you could do this, you must restart in Safe Mode. For instructions on how to do this, you may refer to this page If the preceding step requires you to restart in safe mode, you may proceed to edit the system registry.
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
- {random}
- {random}
Step 5
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TROJ_FAKEAL.VTG. 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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