{
  "family": "fakeal",
  "sample_count": 1,
  "category": "ransomware",
  "description": "<h3>Executive Summary</h3>\nFakeAl (short for \"Fake Alert\") is a classification for a highly disruptive form of Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) operating as \"Rogue Security Software\" or \"Fake Antivirus.\" It relies entirely on aggressive social engineering and scareware tactics. Its primary objective is to extort money from users by performing fabricated system scans, presenting alarming, false-positive reports of severe malware infections, and refusing to \"clean\" the system until the user purchases a fraudulent premium license.\n\n<h3>Infection Vector and Technical Capabilities</h3>\nFakeAl relies almost entirely on aggressive malvertising and deceptive software bundling. Users typically encounter it via alarming, full-screen browser pop-ups claiming their \"PC is infected with 5 viruses\" or when downloading freeware from third-party aggregators, where the fake AV is installed silently.\n\nOnce installed, the software employs highly aggressive extortion tactics:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Deceptive UI and Scareware Tactics:</strong> The application is designed to mimic the graphical user interface of legitimate antivirus products (like Windows Defender or Norton). It launches automatically on boot, performs a fake, rapid \"scan,\" and invariably reports numerous critical (but non-existent) malware infections.</li>\n<li><strong>System Hostage (Locking):</strong> Aggressive variants of FakeAl employ system-locking tactics. They may constantly overlay the screen with warnings, disable the Windows Task Manager, or block the execution of legitimate executable files (claiming they are \"infected\"), effectively holding the user's workflow hostage.</li>\n<li><strong>Persistent Nagging:</strong> The software establishes persistence via registry `Run` keys and scheduled tasks, ensuring that it repeatedly interrupts workflow with high-pressure purchase prompts demanding credit card information.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3>Threat Assessment</h3>\nWhile technically not destructive malware like a file-encrypting ransomware, FakeAl poses a severe threat to user productivity and financial security (extortion). The aggressive system locking mechanisms cause massive IT helpdesk overhead, and users may unwittingly hand over valid credit card details to cybercriminals.\n\n<h3>Incident Response and Remediation</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Safe Mode Execution:</strong> Due to the aggressive screen-locking and self-defense mechanisms that block executable launches, it is almost always necessary to boot the infected machine into Windows \"Safe Mode with Networking\" to prevent the scareware from launching before attempting removal.</li>\n<li><strong>Targeted Anti-Malware Scan:</strong> Utilize a reputable enterprise anti-malware solution (specifically tuned for Rogue Software and Scareware removal, such as Malwarebytes) to scan for and remove the deeply embedded registry keys and scheduled tasks associated with FakeAl.</li>\n<li><strong>Financial Dispute:</strong> If the user was tricked into purchasing the fake software, advise them to immediately contact their credit card company to dispute the fraudulent charge.</li>\n</ul>",
  "cta": "Published by the SystemHelpdesk team.",
  "aliases": [
    "Rogue.FakeAlert",
    "PUP.FakeAV",
    "Scareware.FakeAl"
  ],
  "enrichment_level": "insufficient_information",
  "faq": [],
  "faq_count": 0,
  "mitre_attack": [
    "T1491",
    "T1562.001",
    "T1112"
  ],
  "cisa_advisory": null,
  "last_updated": "2026-07-02T07:27:02Z",
  "type": "Rogue Software / Fake Antivirus",
  "target_industries": [
    "Global / Opportunistic"
  ],
  "motivation": "Opportunistic",
  "threat_actors": [
    "Unknown / Cybercriminal"
  ],
  "target_geographies": [
    "Global"
  ]
}