Fauxpersky Keylogger

A new keylogging malware has been observed. Known as Fauxpersky, it disguises itself as Kaspersky's Internet Security anti-virus product.

Threat ID:: CC-2206
Category:: Trojan
Threat Severity:: Low
Threat Vector:
Published:: 5 April 2018 12:00 AM

Report a cyber attack: call 0300 303 5222 or email [email protected]

This content has been archived

This article no longer conforms to NHS Digital's standards for cyber alerts, and may contain outdated or inaccurate information. Use of this information contained in this page is at your own risk

Summary

A new keylogging malware has been observed. Known as Fauxpersky, it disguises itself as Kaspersky's Internet Security anti-virus product.

Affected platforms

The following platforms are known to be affected:

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows - All versions

Threat details

Fauxpersky was developed using AutoHotKey (AHK), a simple scripting language for Windows, and is delivered via infected USB drives. Once installed it downloads four files with similar names to Windows components; Explorers.exe, Svhost.exe, Taskhosts.exe and Spoolsvc.exe. Using an AHK function it monitors keystrokes, tagging to a file named Log.txt before uploading it to a Google Form.

Propagation is achieved by copying itself to any connected external drives, whose volume labels are then appended with 'Secured by Kaspersky Internet Security 2017'

Remediation advice

To prevent and detect a trojan infection, ensure that:

Remediation steps

Type	Step
	A robust program of education and awareness training is delivered to users to ensure they don’t open attachments or follow links within unsolicited emails. All operating systems, antivirus and other security products are kept up to date. All day to day computer activities such as email and internet are performed using non-administrative accounts. Strong password policies are in place and password reuse is discouraged. Network, proxy and firewall logs should be monitored for suspicious activity. User accounts accessed from infected machines should be reset on a clean computer Additionally, administrators are encouraged to ensure that AutoRun is disabled on Windows devices to prevent automatic execution of applications. If any USB volume labels have been appended with 'Secured by Kaspersky Internet Security 2017' please remove or reformat them immediately

Type

Step

A robust program of education and awareness training is delivered to users to ensure they don’t open attachments or follow links within unsolicited emails.
All operating systems, antivirus and other security products are kept up to date.
All day to day computer activities such as email and internet are performed using non-administrative accounts.
Strong password policies are in place and password reuse is discouraged.
Network, proxy and firewall logs should be monitored for suspicious activity.
User accounts accessed from infected machines should be reset on a clean computer

Additionally, administrators are encouraged to ensure that AutoRun is disabled on Windows devices to prevent automatic execution of applications.

If any USB volume labels have been appended with 'Secured by Kaspersky Internet Security 2017' please remove or reformat them immediately

Last edited: 17 February 2020 12:43 pm