RSA-2048/AES-128 virus: “All of your files are encrypted with RSA-2048 and AES-128 ciphers”

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 ransomware automated removal and data recovery

When dealing with the RSA-2048/AES-128 threat, you can get a lot of mileage out of the Malwarebytes automatic security tool that will pinpoint and iron out the infection in minutes. Malwarebytes is one of the big names in the anti-malware industry with an immaculate track record of protecting systems against all prevalent forms of harmful code.

The solution uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to detect both known and zero-day threats, including potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), ransomware, exploits, and malicious sites. It boasts low system footprint, high scanning speed, and intuitive interface where every module clearly explains what it does. Follow the steps below to come through the malware predicament unscathed:

1. Download and install the latest version of Malwarebytes onto your PC.

^{As part of this step, you will be prompted to specify where you are installing the program (personal or work computer) and toggle the advanced setup options if you so desire. You can use all the premium features for 14 days free of charge.}

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2. Once the application is up and running, go ahead and click on the Scan button in the bottom middle part of the GUI.

3. Wait until Malwarebytes checks for updates of its proprietary Katana detection engine and scans the memory, startup items, registry, and file system for threats.

4. When the scan is completed, go over the report listing the infections that have been identified. Make sure there are checkmarks next to all the unwanted items and click on the Quarantine button as shown below.

5. You will be prompted to restart your computer to finish the removal process. Click Yes to do it immediately or close the dialog and restart later on.

6. As soon as the threats have been moved to Quarantine, they can no longer harm your computer. If you are sure that you won’t need to restore any of those items at a later point, click on the Detection History pane at the bottom left of the Malwarebytes home screen, select the Quarantined items tab, and click Delete.

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 Stellar Data Recovery features this type of a capability and therefore it can be applied in ransom attack scenarios to at least get the most important files back. So use the app to get an idea of what data can be restored and let it do the recovery job. Here is a step-by-step walkthrough:

1. Download and install Stellar Data Recovery.

Download Stellar Data Recovery

2. Open the application, select the types of recoverable files to look for, and click Next.

3. Choose the areas you want the tool to recover from and click the Scan button.

4. Having scanned the specified locations, the program will display a notification about the total amount of recoverable data. Close the dialog and click the Recover button. This will hopefully help you get some of your valuable files back.

RSA-2048/AES-128 ransomware 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.

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.

Ransomware Prevention Tips

To avoid RSA-2048/AES-128 ransomware and other file-encrypting infections in the future, follow several simple recommendations:

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. Another benefit of using the antimalware tool is that it will keep ransomware threats from intruding on your computer further on.

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