VirusHeat

VirusHeat is malware that disguises itself as a legitimate anti-virus program. VirusHeat tricks users into buying the full version of the program through repeated false alerts and popups, purporting to alert the user that there is a system error or they are infected, and must buy the full version to remove. It was launched on February 8, 2008.

VirusHeat
Common nameVirusHeat
Technical nameVirusHeat
AliasesVirus Heat, VirusHeat 3.9, VirusHeat 4.3, VirusHeat 4.4
ClassificationRogue security software
TypeMicrosoft Windows
Point of originRussian Federation

Infection

VirusHeat is usually downloaded through a trojan, usually the Zlob trojan, that is bundled in fake Video codecs. It may also be downloaded from the malware's website. Once installed, VirusHeat will run a scan and report exaggerated results that the user's computer is infected. When the scan is complete, a warning message will pop up linking to VirusHeat's homepage where the user is prompted to buy the software.

Symptoms

VirusHeat displays false warning messages (e.g. imitating that you had downloaded e.g. an XXX video) followed by a realistic Virus removal pop up which launches to their web-site whether you select "Yes" or "No" button: Then uses exaggerated scan reports to mislead the user. VirusHeat repeatedly annoys the user with pop up warnings that prompt the user to purchase a full version of the program. VirusHeat may attempt to change the user's IE homepage to go to VirusHeat's homepage. VirusHeat may automatically launch on startup.

VirusHeat installs the following: Processes

  • VirusHeat 3.9
  • VirusHeat 3.9.exe

DLLs

  • eeioq.dll
  • iinqyl.dll
  • wuuawkz.dll

Directories

  • C:\Program Files\VirusHeat

Registry Keys

  • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\clsid\{5b55c4e3-c179-ba0b-b4fd-f2db862d6202}

Known variants

VirusHeat behaves similar to other known rogue security software. SpywareQuake, VirusBurst, AntiVirGear, VirusProtect, VirusProtectPro are variants of VirusHeat.

Removal

Various anti-spyware removal tools are known to remove VirusHeat. The latest definition file must be utilized in most anti-spyware programs to completely remove VirusHeat and any associated files.

See also

References
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