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

Based on the settings of your F-Secure security product, it will either move the file to the quarantine where it cannot spread or cause harm, or remove it.

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/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