ProLock ransomware is a virus hacking and locking networks that belong to large companies
ProLock ransomware – malware that adds .ProLock extension to files after encryption and greets victims with a particular threat name. Virus developers provide all the information in a text file placed on the desktop and in other folders with encoded data that is named [HOW TO RECOVER FILES].txt. This ransom note informs victims about the encryption method used – RSA-2048[1] and possibilities to get files restored after the payment. This is typical ransomware virus behavior because malicious actors who spread these extortion-based programs are focused on getting money and scaring people into paying for useless or non-existent decryption tools.
The recent year of 2020 showed the activity changes of this ransomware when the gang creating ProLock virus started to target government networks and encrypting files related to large companies. Payments from such targets can get bigger, so it is common for cybercriminals to aim at these businesses because ransom payment demands can become huge.
The virus starter working in 2019, but the major upgrade in March 2020 affected the success of the criminals behind this threat. The analysis of distribution showed that the infection was spread using Qakbot trojan and other infections opening the way for the ransomware. Known attacks resulted in ransom demands for 35-90 Bitcoins that is approx. half a million to one million dollars.
Most often threats like this ransomware virus start the infection with encryption procedures. When the victim decides to pay and contact criminals, they can follow up with all the background processes, in the meantime. This is a new threat, so researchers[2] only can speculate and base their judging on samples that can be obtained. It is thought that this malware spreads around using exposed RDP or by using cracking tools and keygens. These methods become more and more common for ransomware than the before-used spam email campaigns.[3]
| Name | ProLock ransomware |
|---|---|
| File marker | .ProLock is the appendix added to every encrypted file that differentiates affected files from safe ones |
| Encryption method | RSA-2048 – army grade algorithm used to modify the original file code and make data useless, so there is the reason for ransom demands |
| Distinct feature | .BMP picture file is used to inject malware into memory via PowerShell |
| Distribution | Typical ransomware threats get distributed via spam email campaigns when infected files get attached or malicious sites that drop the malicious script. This malware spreads using unprotected RDP or via pirated software services |
| Ransom note | [HOW TO RECOVER FILES].txt delivers the message from ransomware creators, so people can know what to do next and follows strict instructions of contacting them and paying the ransom. This is the file where malicious actors determine the name of this ransomware |
| Elimination | The removal should be quick, so choose professional anti-malware tools for the procedure and ensure that all virus-related applications and files get deleted |
| Repair | System functions needed for file recovery or virus termination can be disabled by the threat itself because it alters files and adds net entries to control the functionality. Repair these corrupted programs and files with the help of FortectIntego or a similar tool |
ProLock ransomware, as any other cyber threat, is developed by criminals, so there are many additional features that this cryptocurrency-extortion-based virus can have. Of course, the most frustrating is encryption and file-locking because your files get altered and become inaccessible without guaranteed recovery possibility.
However, the newer features of these threats started to involve data exfiltration from the machine directly or the web browser. In the ransom note, the ransomware mentions having gathered sensitive data and claims to share those details if you refuse to pay. There a few different scenarios regarding such data recording. Malware creators may copy known techniques of threat actors who have published non-paying victims' data online and:
- collect information from devices or online accounts with keystroke loggers, other malware, worms, and so on;
- trick people into believing they did so to make people more scared and willing to pay up.
Do not fall for these tricks and malicious techniques, you should remove ProLock ransomware instead. The sooner you run an anti-malware on your machine the quicker you can get to your files. Anti-malware programs are based on virus detection engines, and a full system scan allows the application to detect, find, and delete all the malicious intruders and files planted on the system.
Deleted Shadow Volume Copies keep the ShadowExplorer out of the list for data recovery methods, disabled security functions cannot provide you the detection and virus identification needed for system cleaning. The ransomware can also install direct trojans and information-stealers, so private and sensitive data is at risk, and you may become a victim of the targeted scam later on. Make sure to double-check that there is nothing malicious or possibly dangerous on the machine when you add the external device with your data backups.
Even though the ransom note file states about the possibility of getting your files decrypted, you cannot know how big the ransom amount is. This question is the main one that people ask criminals via the email or TOR website link provided in the note. This communication can lead to the installation of additional malware or direct access to your device if you don't pay attention to connections that criminals make via email notifications or the website. Experts[4] note to stay away from these malicious actors at any cost.
The virus is reportedly injecting code into the memory of the device and adding additional files on the system to affect the persistence and possibly damage the device further. You should take that into consideration and clean the system properly from any malware.
ProLock ransomware removal can get difficult because of this PowerShell functionality any fileless malware execution is easier than you may think. Attackers can rely on this system tool and load automated scripts of malware that also can become a way for criminals to directly launch the attack.
One of the more common ways used to spread malware like this virus can rely on breaking through unprotected remote desktop connections or using pirating software services and deliver payload as a file included in one of the cracking tool packages. You may have already been exposed to a few different types of malware, so an automatic anti-malware tool check is crucial for the security of your machine.
New features of the malicious program
PRoLock ransomware manages to infect a large number of devices, so the damage is maximized. The research shows that sums asked from victims average to $1.8 million. Furthermore, these sums get increased over time. The more recent cases show that victims got asked to pay 225 Bitcoin that is approximately $2,5 million.
Various ATM makers, companies from financial fields, various businesses get targeted, so payments result in large profits for the hacker group and huge losses for the victims. Nevertheless, the FBI and other researchers warn organizations against paying the sum that should result in the file decryption. The tool that victims should receive, in most cases, is not working as it is supposed to.
Another feature of the upgraded ProLocke virus – victim shaming. There are some incidents when the gang leaked data from the affected network when the company refused to pay up. Some other malware creators have developed a system – the site where data gets leaked. This infection dumped files in different hacking forums and pass data to journalists via email randomly.
Hijacking RDP is the method used to spread malware like this around
The feature that allows connecting to another session is useful for many people, but can also be used by malicious actors. In most cases, such features should be protected by passwords, but unprotected RDP configurations can be easily broken into and used to distribute malware or directly access the machine.
Criminals have various methods of identifying particular RDP sessions that are vulnerable and possibly exploitable. So attackers can steal identities, logins, other credentials, and install or launch malware, including ransomware. You need to protect such sessions if you continuously use these tools and make sure to avoid any other dangerous activities:
- spam emails with attachments that may include malicious macros;
- hyperlinks randomly included in such email notifications;
- pirating services and downloading cracks or cheats from such pages.
Terminate the dangerous ProLock virus and related files or apps
There are no particular connections between already known malware and ransomware virus, so you should consider this new variant more dangerous and powerful because of this. There are many unanswered questions since researchers cannot get needed malware samples and fully test them.
However, based on the facts that are known right now, you can try to remove ProLock ransomware using typical malware elimination methods like anti-malware tools and some system features that help with AV detection applications. Choose professional software like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes and run a full system check.
Follow indications and scan results and go for the proper ProLock ransomware removal method when the AV tool detects a malware, intruders, and potential threats. Of course, this is not going to recover your encrypted files or repair damage in the system folders, so you should manage that yourself or with the help of a system repair tool FortectIntego. Also, check the methods below with decryption and data recovery alternatives.
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