Viruses

Translated as Cipher in French, LeChiffre is a relatively old ransomware-type virus discovered in 2015. Unlike other programs, it encrypts users' data by using Blowfish algorithms (instead of AES). After penetration, LeChiffre does a pure classic, it scans your disk for available files (like images, documents, etc.) stored on the system and encrypts them by changing extensions to .lechiffre. For example, the original 1.mp4 will be transformed into 1.mp4.lechiffre. Newer variations also add a random alphanumerical sequence to this suffix. Thereafter, the program creates an HTML file (_How to decrypt LeChiffre files.html) that is automatically opened in a browser or text file (_LeChiffre_BACKUPVO.txt). The note contains information on how to restore your data. To decrypt your files right now, you should contact frauds via the attached e-mail to get further instructions about the payment. Amazingly, but LeChiffre developers break all standards of typical ransomware and claim that they do not need your files and, if you want, you can retrieve them for free within 6 months. Luckily, LeChiffre has been known for a very long time meaning that the blocked data can be unlocked by up-to-date tools.

Being produced by Everbe family, Paymen45 locks down multiple files that are stored on your system and force people to pay a ransom for data retrieval. It was discovered and described by individual Russian security researcher Amigo-A in his blog. Alike other malware of this type, there is no single extension that is applied to affected files. Instead, it uses a random combination of different symbols. The most reset variation looks like this: 1.mp4.g8R4rqWIp9. In this note, extortionists ask you to buy a decryption key (in BTC) through the attached link in the Tor browser. There is also a backup e-mail if you have any questions. If you refuse to buy their software, they intimidate that your data will be spread online. Cybercriminals are usually right when claiming that third-parties software cannot decrypt your files.

Mespinoza continues incrementally cementing its name around ransomware developers and produced another variation called Pysa. This version acts like others - it strikes files stored on your system by locking them down with .pysa, .locked or .newversion extensions. For instance, 1.mp4 will be renamed to 1.mp4.pysa, 1.mp4.locked and so forth. Extortionists claim that they are the only figures who can decrypt your files and third-parties tools will not help you at all. In fact, it is true since most ransomware uses high-end algorithms that are tough-to-decrypt. The only solution looks to be contacting them via e-mail and purchasing the decryption key.

If you no longer can access your data then this may be because of file-encryption virus that could suddenly penetrate your system. Being categorized as ransomware, LokerAdmin encrypts user's data by using AES algorithms and consequently demands a ransom in BTC to retrieve the locked files. LokerAdmin covers a range of data such as MS Office, PDFs, text files, images, music, videos, and archives which appear to be the most valuable for regular users. The encryption of files will visually result in icon and extension changes, internal changes are much more dramatic. First versions of the malware used .$$$ and .texyz suffixes. The latest variations switched to random 5-6 character alphanumerical sequences, like .8NWm8Y. For example, 1.mp4 will loose its original icon and migrate to 1.mp4.$$$ or 1.mp4.texyz file extensions. After successful encryption, the virus is hardwired for creating a note containing the ransom information (readme.txt).

If your data got locked and appended with the .encrypted extension, then you might be infected with Sadogo Ransomware which is a malicious program that encrypts victim's data. Sadogo and other similar malware infiltrate systems without the user's consent. Unfortunately, this kind of malware does not miss a single unit and encrypts everything stored on your PC. For example, the original file like 1.mp4 and others will be changed to 1.mp4.encrypted after penetration. Once Sadogo finished its major activity, it instantly drops a text file called readme.txt onto your desktop. Extortionists in this note claim that you should download the Tor browser and visit the attached link to purchase a decryption key. It is not recommended to trust swindlers, instead, delete Sadogo Ransomware and decrypt your data by following the guide below.

Balaclava is a ransomware-type family that has promoted multiple variations such as DavesSmith, Michael, and KEY0004 thus far. All of them encrypt files similarly - they scan your device for necessary files (images, videos, text files, documents, etc.) and retitle them with new extensions. For example, after successful encryption, the original 1.mp4 will change its name to 1.mp4.michael or 1.mp4.KEY0004 respectively. Earlier variations of the virus used .[daves.smith@aol.com] and .jerry_glanville_data@aol.com. To inform confused users, extortionists provide ransom information that is located in a note, that can be called either RECOVERY FILE.txt or HOW_TO_RECOVERY_FILES.txt on your desktop. To decrypt the locked data, you should send them an e-mail by attaching your personal identification. Then, you should pay a required fee that may vary significantly (from 100$ to 1000+).

Discovered in 2019, Nyton Ransomware is a dangerous virus that ruthlessly encrypts users' data. Likewise other ransomware, Nyton targets various sorts of files like images, videos, text documents, and others that will be locked after penetration. After encryption, Nyton changes the icons of all files/apps to blank sheets and assigns the .nyton extension. To illustrate, normal 1.mp4 files will be changed to 1.mp4.nyton after restriction. Unfortunately, the decryption of such files is often impossible. Even the best third-parties tools are not able to access the data because developers use sophisticated algorithms that make files unrecoverable. Besides that, once the program blocked the data, it instantly creates a ransom note on the desktop (!NYTON_HELP.TXT) that displays the information about encryption. Another victim's informant is the onion website web page.

Yaoffer50160.exe is a trojan-based file that infects users with adware. There are some indications, that this file is related to an unwanted advertising app called uBar. Trojans are a type of virus that executes so-called chain infiltrations. The range of malware may vary from innocent adware to more dangerous ransomware that encrypts users' data forever. Often times, trojans may require interaction from remote servers that are hacked by frauds to fulfill its purpose. Thus, most developers abuse poor connections and RDP configuration to take control of the PC and inflict it with trojans. When it comes to adware, it alters some settings to push unwanted advertisements on the desktop. There are also cases when after removal of the file users see an error message on startup, like "Windows cannot find Yaoffer50160.exe".