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Rogue:W32/SpyGuard

Classification

Category:

Malware

Type:

Rogue

Aliases:

  • Rogue:W32/SpyGuard
  • Rogue:W32/spyguard.gen!a
  • Trojan:Win32/FakeSpyGuard (Microsoft)

Summary

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

Removal

Technical Details

Rogue:W32/Spyguard is a typical rogueware family. Member of this family pose as a legitimate antivirus or antispyware application, usually by copying the name and/or looks of a legitimate application.Variants in the Spyguard family are also detected with the Generic Detection, Rogue:W32/Spyguard.gen!A.

Activity

Once installed, this program scans the computer system. It then displays fake alert messages indicating the system has been compromised. To fully use the product and/or to enable its disinfection functionality, the user is required to purchase a license. A message notifying the user of the 'infections' will also frequently pop up from the System Tray.

Installation

A typical installation from this rogueware family installs component files in:

  • %Program Files%\ [Name of Application]

Where [Name of Application] is the name of the legitimate program that the rogueware is pretending to be, for example, Spyware Guard or System Guard.At the same time, the following files are installed in %WinDir%:

  • reged.exe
  • spoolsystem.exe
  • sys.com
  • syscert.exe
  • sysexplorer.exe
  • vmreg.dll

These files are usually backups of clean system files. A file named winscenter.exe is also saved in the %System% folder.Malicious components are then installed in :

  • %allusers%\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Dlls

Registry

A typical installation from this rogueware family will add the following registry key:

  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Spyware Guard

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