Description:

This is a trojan detection. Unlike viruses, trojans do not self-replicate. They are spread manually, often under the premise that they are beneficial or wanted. The most common installation methods involve system or security exploitation, and unsuspecting users manually executing unknown programs. Distribution channels include email, malicious or hacked web pages, Internet Relay Chat (IRC), peer-to-peer networks, etc.

This Password Stealers trojans uses traditional brazilian bankers structure, but also targets Argentina's banks.

 Chracterstics:

PWS-Banker.gen.ah is a password stealing trojan that captures bank account information (username/password) and sends this information to the author via SMTP.

Some banks targeted are:

Brazilian:

• ABN_AMRO
  
• Bank_Boston
  
• HSBC
  
• ITAU

Argentina:

Banco Bisel

Symptoms:

The Trojan is running in the process list.

Mails may be sent using Outlook in some instances, or network traffic on port 25, connecting to a remote SMTP (mail) server to send email data to the malware author.

Infected user might be prompted to enter their online banking credentials after running the malware.

The malware also copies itself to:

c:\windows\

and create the following registry entry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\ : "C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.exe"

where Microsoft.exe was the name used by the trojan.

 Method of Infection:

Password Stealers are not viruses, and as such do not themselves contain any method to replicate. However they may themselves be downloaded by other viruses and/or Trojans to be installed on the user's system.

Many of these additionally are mass spammed by the author to entice people into double-clicking on them.

Alternatively they may be installed by visiting a malicious web page (either by clicking on a link, or by the website hosting a scripted exploit which installs the Password Stealer onto the user's system with no user interaction.

One example caught was spam pretending to be Fidel Castro's Pictures.

Removal: 

All Users:
Use current engine and DAT files for detection and removal.