Authors of the Locky ransomware have been using two different cryptographic algorithms to their own advantage, the campaign details being highlighted herein.
Anatomy of the new file-encoding infection called Locky features an advanced take on malicious encryption activity. Its developer chose to blend a public-key cryptographic standard and a completely different symmetric algo in a bid to make the victims’ data recovery plans more of a wishful thinking rather than a realistic prospect. When the malware hits a personal computer or a workstation connected to an enterprise network, the user gets a blackmail message that says, “All of your files are encrypted with RSA-2048 and AES-128 ciphers.” The warning goes on to instruct the victim with the following details of the attack they suffered, “Decrypting of your files is only possible with the private key and decrypt program, which is on our secret server.”
The above-mentioned alert has been observed in two forms: one is an image titled _Locky_recover_instructions.bmp which automatically replaces the user-defined desktop background; and the other is a TXT document with the same name that resides inside every infected data directory. The ransom instructions also contain a number of links pointing to a Tor-backed Locky Decrypter Page, where the user is told to send 0.5 BTC to a specified address. For the target’s ‘convenience’, the website suggests multiple services that can be used to buy Bitcoins. According to the extortionists’ allegations, the infected person will be able to download the decoder after the payment.
The zest of this attack is in the way files are modified. Not only will the user’s spreadsheets, documents and images become encrypted beyond regular restoration, but the names of these files get badly twisted as well. Each one gets the .locky extension at the end, and the preceding string turns into a long, gibberish sequence of random symbols that don’t make sense. This way, the ransomware makes it impossible to discern which items were hit.
The first iteration of the Locky virus circulated via a spam campaign that delivered an unsafe Microsoft Word attachment to a great many potential victims. Masqueraded as an invoice, this document would recommend users to enable macros so that the ransomware process could be remotely executed on machines. The latest edition of the Trojan, however, has come to leverage a hidden JavaScript object. This technique allows the malicious code to evade detection by antiviruses. Moreover, the file is now smaller in size, which makes the contamination process less conspicuous. And yet, the good old spam is still in play.
Those who fell victim to this assault shouldn’t take the whole intimidation effect for granted as there are viable file recovery mechanisms other than the payment that the bad guys ask for.
RSA-2048/AES-128 virus automated removal and data recovery
Owing to an up-to-date database of malware signatures and intelligent behavioral detection, the recommended software can quickly locate the infection, eradicate it and remediate all harmful changes. So go ahead and do the following:
1. Download and install the antimalware tool. Open the solution and have it check your PC for PUPs and other types of malicious software by clicking the Start Computer Scan button
2. Rest assured the scan report will list all items that may harm your operating system. Select the detected entries and click Fix Threats to get the troubleshooting completed.
Data recovery toolkit to the rescue
Some strains of ransomware are known to delete the original files after the encryption routine has been completed. As hostile as this activity appears, it can play into your hands. There are applications designed to revive the information that was obliterated because of malfunctioning hardware or due to accidental removal. The tool called Data Recovery Pro by ParetoLogic features this type of capability therefore it can be applied in ransom attack scenarios to at least get the most important files back. So download and install the program, run a scan and let it do its job.
RSA-2048/AES-128 virus manual removal and file recovery
Some ransomware strains terminate themselves after completing the encryption job on a computer, but some don’t. Furthermore, the RSA-2048/AES-128 virus may prevent victims from using popular antimalware tools in order to stay on board for as long as possible. Under the circumstances, it may be necessary to utilize the Safe Mode with Networking or System Restore functionality.
Remove RSA-2048/AES-128 virus using Safe Mode with Networking
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- Restart the machine. When the system begins loading back up, keep pressing the F8 key with short intervals. The Windows Advanced Options Menu (Advanced Boot Options) screen will appear.
- Use arrow keys to select Safe Mode with Networking and hit Enter. Log on with the user account infected by the ransomware.
- Restart the machine. When the system begins loading back up, keep pressing the F8 key with short intervals. The Windows Advanced Options Menu (Advanced Boot Options) screen will appear.
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- Click on the Search icon next to the Start menu button. Type msconfig in the search field and select the System Configuration option in the results. Go to the Boot tab in the upper part of the GUI.
- Under Boot options, select Safe boot and click the Apply button. A prompt will appear to reboot the computer so that the changes take effect. Select the Restart option and wait for the system to load into Safe Mode. Again, log on with the ransomware-stricken user account.
- Click on the Search icon next to the Start menu button. Type msconfig in the search field and select the System Configuration option in the results. Go to the Boot tab in the upper part of the GUI.
In Safe Mode, the ransom Trojan won’t keep security software from running or otherwise thwart troubleshooting. Open your preferred web browser, download and install an antimalware tool of choice and start a full system scan. Have all the detected ransomware components removed in a hassle-free way.
Get rid of RSA-2048/AES-128 virus using System Restore
- Open Windows Advanced Options Menu as described in the previous section: hit F8 repeatedly when the PC is starting up. Use arrow keys to highlight the Safe Mode with Command Prompt entry. Hit Enter.
- In the Command Prompt window, type cd restore and hit Enter
- Type rstrui.exe in the new command line and press Enter
- When the System Restore screen pops up, click Next, select a restore point that predates the contamination, and use the application’s controls to roll back the system to this earlier state.
Be advised that even after the ransomware is removed, files will still be encrypted and inaccessible. The malicious code cleanup part, however, is important because it keeps a relapse of the infection from occurring further on and eliminates all opportunistic malware.
Ways of non-ransom recovery of files encrypted with RSA-2048 and AES-128 cipher
Cracking the crypto used by this ransom Trojan is more of a science fiction thing rather than an attainable prospect for the masses. This is why the troubleshooting in predicaments of this sort is a matter of two approaches: one is to pay the ransom, which isn’t an option for many victims; and the other is to apply instruments that take advantage of the ransomware’s possible weaknesses. If the latter is your pick, the advice below is a must-try.
Backups can make your day
Restore previous versions of encrypted files
Checking one’s options regarding this workaround is doable in two ways: through the Properties menu of each file or by means of the remarkable open-source tool called Shadow Explorer. We recommend the software-based way because it’s automated, hence faster and easier. Just install the app and use its intuitive controls to get previous versions of the encrypted objects reinstated.
Alternatively, you can leverage the Previous Versions feature, which is native to Windows operating system. This method is more cumbersome that the use of ShadowExplorer, but it can help restore the most important individual files on condition that the ransomware failed to disable the Volume Snapshot Service on the computer. Right-click on a file of choice and select Properties. Then, go to the Previous Versions tab as illustrated below.
Go ahead and pick the file’s latest backup version on the list. Use the Copy or Restore buttons to reinstate this object to a new path or to its original folder, respectively.
Ransomware Prevention Tips
To avoid RSA-2048/AES-128 virus and other file-encrypting infections in the future, follow several simple recommendations:
- Toggle your email provider’s anti-spam settings to filter out all the potentially harmful incoming messages. Raising the bar beyond the default protection is an important countermeasure for ransom Trojans.
- Define specific file extension restrictions in your email system. Make sure that attachments with the following extensions are blacklisted: .js, .vbs, .docm, .hta, .exe, .cmd, .scr, and .bat. Also, treat ZIP archives in received messages with extreme caution.
- Rename the vssadmin.exe process so that ransomware is unable to obliterate all Shadow Volume Copies of your files in one shot.
- Keep your Firewall active at all times. It can prevent crypto ransomware from communicating with its C&C server. This way, the threat won’t be able to obtain cryptographic keys and lock your files.
- Back up your files regularly, at least the most important ones. This recommendation is self-explanatory. A ransomware attack isn’t an issue as long as you keep unaffected copies of your data in a safe place.
- Use an effective antimalware suite. There are security tools that identify ransomware-specific behavior and block the infection before it can do any harm.
These techniques are certainly not a cure-all, but they will add an extra layer of ransomware protection to your security setup.
Revise your security status
Post-factum assessment of the accuracy component in malware removal scenarios is a great habit that prevents the comeback of harmful code or replication of its unattended fractions. Make sure you are good to go by running an additional safety checkup.
plissssss : key
I have been infected by rsa 2048
Unfortunately i dont have back up
Any ideas ?
Mahi,
Peruse and try the steps above based on Shadow Volume Copies of your files and the use of data recovery software. Hopefully it helps.
Thanks for the help, VERY helpful to restore from .zepto attack.
Jim