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 computer:
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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.
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 Web sites.
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.
Use up-to-date antivirus software
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 computer 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 computer, 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 computer. 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.
To detect and remove this threat and other malicious software that may be installed on your computer, run a full-system scan with an appropriate, up-to-date, security solution. The following Microsoft products detect and remove this threat:
For more information on antivirus software, see http://www.microsoft.com/windows/antivirus-partners/.
