Trojan:Win32/PrivacyCenter is a family of programs that claims to scan for malware and displays fake warnings of “malicious programs and viruses”. They then inform the user that they need to pay money to register the software in order to remove these non-existent threats.
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
Symptoms vary among different distributions of Trojan:Win32/PrivacyCenter, however, the presence of the following system changes (or similar) may indicate the presence of this program:
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Presence of the following directories, or similar (for example):
%program_files%\privacy center
%application data%\privacy center
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Presence of the following registry modifications or similar (for example):
Added value: "agent.exe"
With data: "%program_files%\privacy center\agent.exe"
To subkey: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Added value: "Shell"
With data: "%program_files%\privacy center\pc.exe"
To subkey: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
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Display of the following images/dialogs, or similar (for example):
Trojan:Win32/PrivacyCenter is a family of programs that claims to scan for malware and displays fake warnings of “malicious programs and viruses”. They then inform the user that they need to pay money to register the software in order to remove these non-existent threats.
We have received reports that this trojan has been distributed via poisoned search results, where users are redirected to sites that display fake scanners. These pages mistakenly report that the user's system is infected in order to convince users to download Trojan:Win32/PrivacyCenter. We have also received reports that this trojan has been distributed masquerading as a fake video codec. The pages and files utilized in this form of attack are highly variable, and change according to the user's location, browser and operating system. Please see below for an example:
Installation
Trojan:Win32/PrivacyCenter creates many files under the following subdirectories that is creates upon execution:
It modifies the registry to run its executable at each Windows start:
Adds value: "agent.exe"
With data: "%program_files%\privacy center\agent.exe"
To subkey: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
It also creates an uninstall entry for itself in the 'Uninstall or change a program' dialog. However, this (presumably deliberately) fails to function. Should a user try to uninstall the program listed as 'Privacy Center', the entry will be removed from the dialog, but the trojan will remain on the affected machine and continue to function.
Trojan:Win32/PrivacyCenter modifies the registry to replace explorer.exe under the default shell registry entry.
Adds value: "Shell"
With data: "%program_files%\privacy center\pc.exe"
To subkey: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
This prevents Explorer and the Windows Start menu from appearing on system startup, and displays the trojan's interface instead.
Payload
Displays fake warnings
Trojan:Win32/PrivacyCenter displays fake scanning results and alerts regarding bogus malware infections and other security risks on an affected machine. Should a user attempt to 'use' Privacy Center to remove one of these bogus infections by pressing the 'Enable filter' button, they are notified that they have an out of date license, '0% Security' and several 'privacy violations'. They are then directed to a pay for licensing for a number of bogus applications. Please see below for examples of dialogs/pages displayed by Win32/PrivacyCenter:
It may also make the following registry modifications to facilitate these displays:
Modified value: "BackupWallpaper"
With data: "%systemroot%\web\wallpaper\bliss.bmp"
In subkey: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Desktop\General
Modified value: "DeskHtmlVersion"
With data: "272"
In subkey: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Desktop\Components
Modified value: "Source"
With data: "about:home"
In subkey: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Desktop\Components\0
Modified value: "Type"
With data: "1"
In subkey: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\{72267F6A-A6F9-11D0-BC94-00C04FB67863}\iexplore
Analysis by Matt McCormack
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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Avoid downloading pirated software.
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Protect yourself against social engineering attacks.
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Use strong passwords.
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, unsure of the destination of, or 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, see '
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, see '
What is social engineering?'.
Use Strong Passwords
Attackers may try to gain access to your Windows account by guessing your password. It is therefore important that you use a strong password – one that cannot be easily guessed by an attacker. A strong password is one that has at least 8 characters, and combines letters, numbers, and symbols. For more information, see
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/yourself/password/create.mspx.
