Ransomware

Qlkm Ransomware is a disastrous virus, that uses AES encryption algorithms to encrypt user's files. After encoding files obtain following extensions: .qlkm. The malware aims at encryption of personal data, such as documents, photos, videos, music, e-mails. Deep encoding makes those files unapproachable and decryption instruments available today cannot help in most cases. To start automatically each time the OS starts, the cryptographer creates an entry in the Windows registry key that defines a list of programs that start when the computer is turned on or restarted. To determine which key to use for encryption, Qlkm Ransomware tries to establish a network connection with its command server. The virus sends information about the infected computer to the server and receives the encryption key from it. In addition, the command server can send additional commands and modules to the virus that will be executed on the victim's computer. If the data exchange with the command server was successful, the virus uses the received encryption key (online key). This key is unique for each infected computer. If Qlkm Ransomware was unable to establish a connection with its server, a fixed key (offline key) will be used to encrypt files.

Crypto-Locker Mijnal is a ransomware-type infection that encodes personal data with AES+RSA algorithms. The application of such means that the assigned cipher is hard to break using traditional methods. In other words, it makes sure manual decryption does not take place after data is locked. Unfortunately, in most cases, it appears to be impossible indeed, but you should give it a try after reading this text. Alike other infections, Mijnal encrypts your data by changing a file extension to .mijnal. For example, a sample like "1.mp4" will be altered to "1.mp4.mijnal" and reset its original icon. After the encryption process gets to a close, the virus creates a text note called "README_LOCK.txt" that contains redemption instructions. The information presented inside is written in Russian, which means that developers mainly focus on the CIS regions. However, there are some English users that may be affected by it as well. If you are willing to decrypt your data as soon as possible, cybercriminals ask victims to open the attached link via the Tor browser and follow the instructions right there. Then, extortionists will more likely ask you to pay a certain amount in Bitcoin to gain access back to your data. Despite paying the ransom is usually the only method to overcome data encryption, we recommend against meeting any requests as it can be dangerous for your pocket and privacy as well.

If your files became unavailable, unreadable, and got .igal extensions it means your computer is infected with Igal Ransomware (variation of STOP Ransomware or as it is, sometimes, called DjVu Ransomware). It is a malicious program that belongs to the group of ransomware viruses. This virus can infect almost all modern versions of the operating systems of the Windows family, including Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10. The malware uses a hybrid encryption mode and a long RSA key, which virtually eliminates the possibility of selecting a key for self-decrypting files. Like other similar viruses, the goal of Igal Ransomware is to force users to buy the program and key needed to decrypt files that have been encrypted. The version, that is under research today is almost identical to the previous ones, except for new e-mails used for contacting malefactors and new extensions added.

Omfl Ransomware is a prevalent encryption virus and blackmailer, that targets valuable personal files. After infection and data encoding hackers start extorting the ransom. There have been more than 300 versions of the ransomware, each version gets slightly modified to circumvent the protection, but main footprints remain the same. The malware uses AES-256 in CFB mode. Shortly after launch, the STOP family cryptographer executable connects to C&C, retrieves the encryption key and infection ID for the victim's PC. Data is transmitted over simple HTTP in the form of JSON. If C&C is not available (the PC is not connected to the Internet, the server itself is not working), the cryptographer uses the hard-coded key and ID in it and performs offline encryption. In this case, you can decrypt the files without paying a ransom. Variations of STOP Ransomware can be distinguished from each other by ransom notes and extensions it adds to encrypted files. For STOP Ransomware under research today, extensions is: .omfl. The ransom note file _readme.txt is presented below in the text box and picture.

Leitkcad is a pure example of crypto-malware that runs encryption over personal data to garner a so-called ransom. The most vivid symptoms hinting at the Leitkcad's presence is the assignment of .leitkcad extension. In other words, it will be seen at the end of each file affected by malware. For example, a file like 1.mp4 will be changed to 1.mp4.leitkcad and reset its original icon. Then, once all of the files are changed, the virus moves to the next phase creating a note called help-leitkcad.txt. It contains information on the encryption as well as instructions to restore your data. Cybercriminals say that you should contact an operator and fill in your ID, personal key, and e-mail via the chat page. The link to it can be opened only by using the Tor browser, which has to be downloaded by victims. Then, after establishing contact with cybercriminals, you will receive further instructions on how to purchase the decryption software. Also, it is worth-noting that rebooting and altering encrypted files can lead to permanent loss. Extortionists set certain algorithms that help them detect your activity. This means that if you refuse to comply with any of the above warnings, your files will be deleted momentarily.

Booa Ransomware is complex encryption-type virus, that uses AES (Salsa20) algorithm to cipher user files. Data affected by this malware become unavailable without a special decryption key. The virus gets slightly modified every week and recent versions append following extensions: .booa. Booa Ransomware does not touch system files but may block navigation to certain security websites using the Windows "hosts" file. When users try to download anti-malware or decryption tools, the pest won't allow them to do it. You can easily download recommended programs from our site and read instructions on how to use them. Ransomware copies file _readme.txt, the so-called "ransom note", on the desktop and to the folders with encrypted files. The text file contains information about the infection, ways to pay the ransom, and contact information. From this file, you can learn, that developers of Booa Ransomware extort $490 (or $980, if not paid within 72 hours). Malware tends to encode personal data: videos, photos, documents, local e-mails, archives, those are the types of data, users will likely pay for. There are very small chances to recover files with .booa extensions. Nevertheless, Emsisoft (famous antivirus vendor) released special utilities called Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP Djvu, that can be downloaded below. These little programs can decrypt more than 300 variations but still can restore files in 2-3% of cases.