Win32/InternetAntivirus is a rogue program that displays false and misleading alerts regarding malware, in order to convince users to purchase rogue security software. This program also displays a fake "Windows Security Center" message.
Special Note:
Reports of
Rogue Antivirus programs have been more prevalent as of late. These are programs that generate misleading alerts and false detections in order to convince users to purchase illegitimate security software. Some of these programs may display product names or logos in an apparently unlawful attempt to impersonate Microsoft products.
System Changes
The following system changes may indicate the presence of Win32/InternetAntivirus:
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The presence of the following files:
%PROGRAM_FILES%\Internet Antivirus Pro\working.log
%PROGRAM_FILES%\Internet Antivirus Pro\uninstall.ico
%PROGRAM_FILES%\Internet Antivirus Pro\unins000.dat
%PROGRAM_FILES%\Internet Antivirus Pro\Languages\IAIt.lng
%PROGRAM_FILES%\Internet Antivirus Pro\Languages\IAGer.lng
%PROGRAM_FILES%\Internet Antivirus Pro\Languages\IAFr.lng
%PROGRAM_FILES%\Internet Antivirus Pro\Languages\IAEs.lng
%PROGRAM_FILES%\Internet Antivirus Pro\IAPro.exe
%PROGRAM_FILES%\Internet Antivirus Pro\Explorer.ico
%PROGRAM_FILES%\Internet Antivirus Pro\db\ia080614.db
%PROGRAM_FILES%\Internet Antivirus Pro\db\DBInfo.ver
%PROGRAM_FILES%\Internet Antivirus Pro\activate.ico
%COMMON_PROGRAMS%\Internet Antivirus Pro\Purchase License.lnk
%COMMON_PROGRAMS%\Internet Antivirus Pro\Internet Antivirus Pro.lnk
%COMMON_PROGRAMS%\Internet Antivirus Pro\Internet Antivirus Pro Home Page.lnk
%COMMON_DESKTOP%\Internet Antivirus Pro.lnk
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\services.exe
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\pguard.ini
%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Internet Antivirus Pro.lnk
%APPDATA%\Internet Antivirus Pro\Uninstall Internet Antivirus Pro.lnk
%APPDATA%\Internet Antivirus Pro\unins000.exe
%APPDATA%\Internet Antivirus Pro\uill.ini
%APPDATA%\Internet Antivirus Pro\settings.ini
%APPDATA%\Internet Antivirus Pro\db\Urls.inf
%APPDATA%\Internet Antivirus Pro\db\Timeout.inf
%APPDATA%\Internet Antivirus Pro\db\config.cfg
%COMMONFILES%\InternetAntivirusPro.exe
%COMMONFILES%\file.exe
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The presence of the following registry modifications:
To key: HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\RUN
Adds value: Internet Antivirus Pro
With data: "%PROGRAM_FILES%\Internet Antivirus Pro\IAPro.exe"
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The display of the following dialogs/messages (or similar):
Win32/InternetAntivirus is a rogue program that displays false and misleading alerts regarding malware, in order to convince users to purchase rogue security software. This program also displays a fake "Windows Security Center" message.
Installation
Win32/InternetAntivirus has been distributed with the following names:
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Personal Antivirus
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General Antivirus
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Internet Antivirus Pro
Win32/InternetAntivirus is usually installed by a downloader that has been distributed with the file name "install.exe". When executed, this file downloads the following two files to the local machine:
The installer then runs both of these files. It runs InternetAntivirusPro.exe with command line options to enable it to be silently installed.
Win32/InternetAntivirus may create the following files:
%PROGRAM_FILES%\Internet Antivirus Pro\working.log
%PROGRAM_FILES%\Internet Antivirus Pro\uninstall.ico
%PROGRAM_FILES%\Internet Antivirus Pro\unins000.dat
%PROGRAM_FILES%\Internet Antivirus Pro\Languages\IAIt.lng
%PROGRAM_FILES%\Internet Antivirus Pro\Languages\IAGer.lng
%PROGRAM_FILES%\Internet Antivirus Pro\Languages\IAFr.lng
%PROGRAM_FILES%\Internet Antivirus Pro\Languages\IAEs.lng
%PROGRAM_FILES%\Internet Antivirus Pro\IAPro.exe
%PROGRAM_FILES%\Internet Antivirus Pro\Explorer.ico
%PROGRAM_FILES%\Internet Antivirus Pro\db\ia080614.db
%PROGRAM_FILES%\Internet Antivirus Pro\db\DBInfo.ver
%PROGRAM_FILES%\Internet Antivirus Pro\activate.ico
%COMMON_PROGRAMS%\Internet Antivirus Pro\Purchase License.lnk
%COMMON_PROGRAMS%\Internet Antivirus Pro\Internet Antivirus Pro.lnk
%COMMON_PROGRAMS%\Internet Antivirus Pro\Internet Antivirus Pro Home Page.lnk
%COMMON_DESKTOP%\Internet Antivirus Pro.lnk
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\services.exe
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\pguard.ini
%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Internet Antivirus Pro.lnk
%APPDATA%\Internet Antivirus Pro\Uninstall Internet Antivirus Pro.lnk
%APPDATA%\Internet Antivirus Pro\unins000.exe
%APPDATA%\Internet Antivirus Pro\uill.ini
%APPDATA%\Internet Antivirus Pro\settings.ini
%APPDATA%\Internet Antivirus Pro\db\Urls.inf
%APPDATA%\Internet Antivirus Pro\db\Timeout.inf
%APPDATA%\Internet Antivirus Pro\db\config.cfg
It creates this registry entry to run the fake scanner each time Windows starts:
To key: HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\RUN
Adds value: Internet Antivirus Pro
With data: "%PROGRAM_FILES%\Internet Antivirus Pro\IAPro.exe"
Payload
Displays misleading messages and fake scanning results
Please see below for examples of interface, fake alerts, false scanning results, and registration dialogs used by Win32/InternetAntivirus when distributed as 'Internet Antivirus Pro':
Installs additional malware
Win32/InternetAntivirus copies a component to a variable location using a variable file name, for example:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Microsoft\Protect\S-1-5-18\byoroutand.exe
This component may be detected as
TrojanDownloader:Win32/FakeIA.A. This component creates another registry entry so it is launched each time Windows starts:
To key: HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\POLICIES\EXPLORER\RUN
Adds value: <file name of malware without extension> (e.g. "byoroutand")
With data: <full path of malware> (e.g. "C:\WINDOWS\system32\Microsoft\Protect\S-1-5-18\byoroutand.exe")
This component injects code into Internet Explorer and periodically displays the following page instead of the web page the user was attempting to view:
The "click here" link directs the browser to a purchase page for Win32/InternetAntivirus:
Displays fake warnings and mimics the Windows Security Center
Win32/InternetAntivirus displays a fake copy of the Windows Security Center, along with an icon in the system tray that shows popup warnings. Clicking the "recommendations" launches an Internet Explorer window to display the purchase web page (mentioned and displayed above).
Additional Information
Win32/InternetAntivirus may also create an uninstall entry, e.g.:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\A11V_is1
Analysis by Hamish O'Dea
Take the following steps to help prevent infection on your system:
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Enable a firewall on your computer.
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Get the latest computer updates for all your installed software.
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Use up-to-date antivirus software.
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Use caution when opening attachments and accepting file transfers.
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Use caution when clicking on links to web pages.
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Protect yourself against social engineering attacks.
Enable a firewall on your computer
Use a third-party firewall product or turn on the Microsoft Windows Internet Connection Firewall.
To turn on the Windows Firewall in Windows Vista
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Click Start, and click Control Panel.
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Click Security.
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Click Turn Windows Firewall on or off.
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Select On.
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Click OK.
To turn on the Internet Connection Firewall in Windows XP
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Click Start, and click Control Panel.
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Click Network and Internet Connections. If you do not see Network and Internet Connections, click Switch to Category View.
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Click Change Windows Firewall Settings.
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Select On.
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Click OK.
Get the latest computer updates
Updates help protect your computer from viruses, worms, and other threats as they are discovered. It is important to install updates for all the software that is installed in your computer. These are usually available from vendor websites.
You can use the Automatic Updates feature in Windows to automatically download future Microsoft security updates while your computer is on and connected to the Internet.
To turn on Automatic Updates in Windows Vista
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Click Start, and click Control Panel.
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Click System and Maintainance.
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Click Windows Updates.
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Select a setting. Microsoft recommends selecting Install updates automatically and choose a time that is convenient for you. If you do not choose Automatic, but you choose to be notified when updates are ready, a notification balloon appears when new downloads are available to install. Click the notification balloon to review and install the updates.
To turn on Automatic Updates in Windows XP
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Click Start, and click Control Panel.
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Click System.
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Click Automatic Updates.
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Select a setting. Microsoft recommends selecting Automatic. If you do not choose Automatic, but you choose to be notified when updates are ready, a notification balloon appears when new downloads are available to install. Click the notification balloon to review and install the updates.
Use up-to-date antivirus software
Most antivirus software can detect and prevent infection by known malicious software. To help protect you from infection, you should always run antivirus software that is updated with the latest signature files. Antivirus software is available from several sources. For more information,
see http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/viruses/vista.mspx.
Use caution when opening attachments and accepting file transfers
Exercise caution with e-mail and attachments received from unknown sources, or received unexpectedly from known sources. Use extreme caution when accepting file transfers from known or unknown sources.
Use caution when clicking on links to web pages
Exercise caution with links to web pages that you receive from unknown sources, especially if the links are to a web page that you are not familiar with or are suspicious of. Malicious software may be installed in your system simply by visiting a web page with harmful content.
Avoid downloading pirated software
Threats may also be bundled with software and files that are available for download on various torrent sites. Downloading "cracked" or "pirated" software from these sites carries not only the risk of being infected with malware, but is also illegal. For more information. please see our article '
The risks of obtaining and using pirated software'.
Protect yourself from social engineering attacks
While attackers may attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in hardware or software in order to compromise a system, they also attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in human behavior in order to do the same. When an attacker attempts to take advantage of human behavior in order to persuade the affected user to perform an action of the attacker's choice, it is known as 'social engineering'. Essentially, social engineering is an attack against the human interface of the targeted system. For more information, please see our article '
What is social engineering?'.
