Viruses

Scott.Armstrong is a ransomware virus that encrypts sensitive files by appending the .LOCKED extension. This is meant to highlight the blocked data and catch the attention of infected victims. For example, a file like 1.pdf will change to 1.pdf.LOCKED and reset its original icon. After this, users will no longer be able to access their data as previously. Rigth at the end of encryption, the virus triggers a pop-up window called HOW_TO_RECOVER_MY_FILES.hta to open. It also creates a separate text note (HOW_TO_RECOVER_MY_FILES.txt) containing detailed instructions on how to return your data. The text note instructs victims to install the qTox private messenger and contact developers using the provided TOX-ID. Alternatively, you may also establish contact with cybercriminals through e-mail by sending your Key Identifier, which is attached in the note. You are also allowed to send up to 3 files together with the Key ID to get them decrypted for free. These files should be less than 5MB each, non-archived, and do not contain any valuable information (e.g. databases, backups, large excel sheets, etc.). Based on the message content, it is clear that Scott.Armstrong puts more emphasis on infecting company networks to export bigger amounts of ransom.

Willow encrypts personal data using cryptographic ciphers, alters file extensions to .willow and demands 500$ payment to reset the assigned changes. All of these traits categorize it as ransomware. A sample of encrypted data would look something like this 1.pdf.willow. The files will lose their original shortcut icons as well. Willow Ransomware also changes desktop wallpapers and creates the READMEPLEASE.txt text note. Both wallpapers and text note display the same ransom instruction that victims should follow to recover the data. It is said victims should pay 500$ in BTC to the attached Bitcoin address unless they want to lose their files forever. It is also mentioned third-party decryptors will not be able to remove ciphers applied to files by Willow. Unfortunately, this is nothing, but true as many ransomware infections use high-grade encryption algorithms and store their keys on online servers. For this reason, manual decryption very often appears to be impossible. We do not recommend you pay the required ransom because there is a risk to get scammed eventually. Extortionists hold fame for dumping their victims and not sending any decryption tools even after receiving the money.

Also known by the name of Rontokbro, Brontok is a banking worm that sweeps through the system in search of valuable information. The virus entrenches deep inside of your system and waits until some banking information is entered by users during the session. It can access any segment of your system and surveil whatever you do. The gathered information may therefore be sold or even used to scam you eventually. Usually, default Windows Defender detects the virus and reports Worm:Win32/Brontok was found. Unfortunately, the capacity of Windows Antivirus is not enough to avert Brontok penetrating the system. the worm prevents victims from updating certain security software, visiting antimalware websites, and modifying Windows Explorer folder options. It is also possible users will not be able to use some Windows features like Task Manager, Registry Editor, or Command Prompt. These tools can be used to terminate Brontok's activity, which is why it blocks access to them. All of these changes complicate the deletion of Brontok worm significantly. If you do not have the necessary knowledge to do it, it is better to entrust this challenge to instructions written by professionals.

Mallox is the name of a ransomware virus able to encrypt all valuable data stored on a PC. The file-encryptor uses strong encryption algorithms to assign unique ciphers and deny further access to data. It also attaches the new .mallox extension meant to highlight the blocked data. To illustrate, a file like 1.pdf will change to 1.pdf.mallox and reset its original icon. Note that removing the .mallox extension will not help you open the file as long as it is encrypted. After successful encryption, the virus opens and places a text note called RECOVERY INFORMATION.txt onto your desktop that contains ransom instructions. The file says only unique decryption software will be able to access your data. In order to get it, users should send an e-mail letter with their personal ID to cybercriminals. Then, victims will be given further instruction on how to purchase the decryption tool. It is also mentioned there is a possibility to test free file decryption by sending a few encrypted samples that do not contain valuable data. Before you start thinking about recovery options, we have to inform you about the risks of paying the ransom. Many cybercriminals fool their victims and do not send any decryption instruments even after receiving the money.

Also known as Hakbit, Thanos is a ransomware group that develops a number of file-encrypting infections. It was first discovered by GrujaRS, an independent security researcher specializing in ransomware. The virus has quite a long genealogy tree with lots of different versions using AES algorithms to run file encryption. Each of them has a separate extension that is assigned to encrypted data. The most recent are .steriok, .cyber, and .crystal. If you spotted the change of shortcut icons along with extensions, this means your files have been successfully encrypted. To illustrate, a file like 1.pdf will change to 1.pdf.steriok, 1.pdf.cyber, 1.pdf.crystal or similarly depending on which version infiltrated your system. After encryption, Thanos creates either HOW_TO_DECYPHER_FILES.txt, HELP_ME_RECOVER_MY_FILES.txt or RESTORE_FILES_INFO.txt text files. These are the names of ransom notes containing instructions on how to redeem your data.

Zoom is a ransomware program that runs encryption of data to demand money for its recovery. During file encryption, Zoom uses strong mathematical algorithms along with the .zoom extension that is appended to change files visually. For instance, a file like 1.pdf will change to 1.pdf.zoom and reset its default shortcut icon. The same will be seen across all other data targetted by Zoom Ransomware. After getting things done with the encryption, Zoom changes desktop wallpapers and creates the recover-youe-all-files.txt file containing ransom instructions.

CryptoJoker is a ransomware family that releases every new file-encryptor each year. Alike other ransomware infections, CryptoJocker pursues data encryption of potentially valuable data (e.g. pictures, videos, music, documents, databases, etc.) to demand money for its complete return. Depending on which version attacked your system, the encrypted files will be appended with one of these following extensions - .encrypter@tuta.io.encrypted, .crjoker, .cryptolocker, .cryptoNar, .cryptolocker, .nocry, .devos, .devoscpu. Those are often accompanied by .fully and .partially suffixes, suposed to mean, that some files are fully or partially encrypted. For instance, a file like 1.pdf may change to 1.pdf.crjoker, 1.pdf.encrypter@tuta.io.encrypted, and so forth. Different versions of CryptoJocker used different formats of presenting ransom instructions. Some display an interactive window, while others create separate text notes.

Discovered by a researcher named S!Ri, Foxxy is a malicious program that belongs to the malware category known as ransomware. Its main goal is to encrypt personal data and demand money for its recovery. The moment Foxxy starts enciphering data, all files will get a new .foxxy extension and reset their shortcut icons. This is how an encrypted file like 1.pdf will finally look like - 1.pdf.foxxy. Then, as soon as the encryption process is done, the virus displays a full-screen window and creates a text note called ___RECOVER__FILES__.foxxy.txt. Both of them feature ransom instructions to recover the data. You can check the full content of both ransom notes down below: