September 8, 2008
As we have been monitoring the threat landscape during the last couple of weeks we have noticed an increase in fake anti-malware applications being used to defraud users. While these applications themselves do not provide any level of security for the user in terms of detecting and removing malware; the application itself is designed to trick the user into thinking that they are infected via the use of pop-ups and enticing them to purchase a full version as a means of cleaning the system.
The objective is always financial motivation and this is one way they are making money by sending out Spam with Trojan downloaders hidden behind the links designed to install fake security software, in a majority of the cases Anti-virus XP 2008.
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Malware analysis | Tagged: anti-malware, anti-virus XP 2008, malcode, malspam, Malware, spam, trojan, worm | 
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Posted by Ryan Sherstobitoff
August 28, 2008
This morning the AV XP 2008 spammers were at it again with another round of spam messages claiming to offer an update to Microsoft Windows Vista (we have seen similar attacks before offering false updates). However, when the user clicks the link he/she is directed to a malicious .swf that will download the file install.exe which essentially is a downloader Trojan designed to install AV XP 2008.
Leave a Comment » | AV XP 2008, Malware analysis | Tagged: anti-malware, anti-virus XP 2008, malcode, malicous code, Malware, spam, trojan, Virus, worm | Permalink
Posted by Ryan Sherstobitoff
August 28, 2008
A couple of minutes ago another round of spam messages appeared claiming to provide information concerning a statement of fees recently posted (inferring to banking account fees). The message contained an attachment with a fake Microsoft Word Document which actually is an executable (Fees-2008_2009.doc.exe) that installs a Trojan Downloader.
Further analysis indicates that the Trojan when installed connects to a php page hosted on a Russian domain to obtain several possible sites as a means of downloading the installer for AntiVirus XP 2008. The actual URLs are contained within this script and the file which is downloaded is lspr.exe (MD5 ffccd0518b04354532c733674c0faa00) and is identified as Adware/AVXP2008.
10 Comments | Malware analysis | Tagged: analysis, anti-virus XP 2008, hacking tool, malcode, malspam, Malware, security, spam, trojan, worm | Permalink
Posted by Ryan Sherstobitoff
August 27, 2008
Spammers continue their efforts today with another round of celebrity oriented spam designed to entice users into watching a non-existent video. The fake video site exhibits the same behavior found in the CNN and MSNBC spam attacks covered earlier this month (i.e. a popup message indicates that the ActiveX movie control is out of date and the user is required to install an update to properly view the video).
The executable the user is forced into downloading and installing is known as install.exe or classified as a malicious Trojan – Trj/Exchanger (this particular threat will install AntiVirus XP 2008). It is apparent that the spammers are very interested in getting a large number of users to install and use false security products such as AV XP 2008 and it’s variants in an effort to generate revenue.
Leave a Comment » | Malware analysis | Tagged: anti-virus XP 2008, CNN alerts, malspam, Malware analysis, products, security, spam, trojan | Permalink
Posted by Ryan Sherstobitoff
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