Threat Descriptions

Rogue:W32/Antivirus2008

Classification

Category :

Riskware

Type :

Rogue

Platform :

W32

Aliases :

-

Summary

Dishonest antivirus software which tricks users into buying or installing it, usually by infecting a user's computer, or by pretending the computer is infected.

Removal

Based on the settings of your F-Secure security product, it may block the file from running, move it to the quarantine where it cannot spread or cause harm, or ask you to select an action.

A False Positive is when a file is incorrectly detected as harmful, usually because its code or behavior resembles known harmful programs. A False Positive will usually be fixed in a subsequent database update without any action needed on your part. If you wish, you may also:

  • Check for the latest database updates

    First check if your F-Secure security program is using the latest updates, then try scanning the file again.

  • Submit a sample

    After checking, if you still believe the file is incorrectly detected, you can submit a sample of it for re-analysis.

    Note: If the file was moved to quarantine, you need to collect the file from quarantine before you can submit it.

  • Exclude a file from further scanning

    If you are certain that the file is safe and want to continue using it, you can exclude it from further scanning by the F-Secure security product.

    Note: You need administrative rights to change the settings.

Technical Details

Rogue:W32/Antivirus2008 is a rogue that tries to dupe the user into purchasing a version of the product that can supposedly "remove" all the malware that it reports to the user.

The presence of this rogue in the system is evident when a window similar to this one appears:

All the supposedly "malicious" files that are displayed don't exist in the system. These are just meant to spook the user into purchasing the product.

Then it will display this after scanning:

And when you select "Remove all threats now", it will show this window:

Where you have to input the necessary activation key.

If you select "Continue Unprotected", it will show this balloon:

This rogue may also create this folder and drop itself in it:

  • C:\Program Files\Antivirus 2008

Then it will create a corresponding autorun key here. A sample entry would be:

  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run& Antivirus = "C:\Program Files\Antivirus 2008\Antvrs.exe"

And the following keys:

  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Antivirus
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Antivirus