Ransomware has persistently been a significant issue for people and organisations in the rapidly changing environment of cybersecurity threats. Of all the different types of ransomware, victims are most afraid of the infamous Locky ransomware.
When Locky first surfaced in 2016, it attracted much attention because of its advanced encryption methods and disastrous effects on victims’ data. Despite efforts to stop its spread, Locky has reappeared, posing a global cybersecurity threat. But there are a ton of things you did not know about the ransomeware. So come along as we discuss everything you need about locky ransomware.
What is Locky Ransomware
Ransomware, such as Locky ransomware, is a kind of software that encrypts files on your computer and demands payment to unlock the files. Typically, Locky appears as an email attachment that appears to be gibberish. If the file seems unreadable, a note within the document suggests that you allow macros. If you do this, the macro launches code that encrypts data, possibly including Office documents, movies, and photos, and stores the Locky ransomware to your drive.
How Does Locky Ransomware Work
The so-called Necurs Botnet, regarded as one of the biggest botnets before it went dormant, was responsible for the vast email campaigns. Necurs mainly disseminated the Dridex banking Trojan and the ransomware Locky through its spam emails.
Receiving an email containing the malware attached to a Microsoft Word document is the most often reported way for Locky to spread. The document asks the user to enable macros to see it and is completely blank. to prepare Locky’s cargo. Locky also encrypts network files that users can access and installs.bmp and.txt files.
This ransomware has propagated differently than most others since it does so through attachments and macros instead of being installed by a Trojan or using an already-discovered exploit.
Locky variations have triggered the infectious process with a variety of file types, including:
- Office by Microsoft (“.doc,” “.docx”, “.xls,” etc.) Application Programming Interface (VBA) for Visual Basic
- JScript, or “.js,”
- VBScript (“.vbs”) Encoded JScript (“.jse”)
- Script File for Windows (“.wsf”)
- HTML compilation (“.chm”)
- Application for HTML (“.hta”)
- Shortcut Link (“.lnk”)
- Executable for Windows (“.exe”)
- Dynamic Link Library for Windows (“.dll”)
- Powershell for Windows
Locky Ransomware’s Past and Known Variants
After being identified for the first time in 2016, the Locky ransomware quickly became one of the biggest online malware threats. Although Locky isn’t operating right now, additional ransomware versions of Locky have surfaced.
Many versions that employ different extensions for file encryption have been made available. Numerous expansions bear the names of mythological characters. Locky was the extension used for encrypted files when they were initially published. For encrypted files, other versions used the.zepto,.odin,.shit,.thor.aesir, and.Z extensions.
It’s also noteworthy that it can find and encrypt private files stored on local devices, portable drives, and mapped and unmapped network shares if they are accessible. This implies that network pathways may become infected even without a drive letter. Locky used an asymmetric RSA-2048 cypher and a symmetric AES-128 cypher to unread the victims’ essential files.
One notable modification in Locky’s initial release (1.0) was the total jumble of the victims’ filenames. The “.locky” extension was added after each filename was converted into a string of 32 hexadecimal characters. “8469F0FE8432F4F84DCC48462F435454.locky” is one example of this drastic change. The ransomware also left links to the victims’ unique decryptor website in ransom notes named “_Locky_recover_instructions.txt” on the desktop. A ransom of 0.5 bitcoin was sought.
Variant of Ransomware Locky
Hackers found great success with the Locky ransomware, which gave rise to several Locky ransomware copies and variants.
#1. PowerLocky
Locky and fileless PowerWare malware were combined as PowerLocky. It was created with PowerShell and shared Locky’s encrypted file extensions and phishing emails. PowerLocky was operational during the summer of 2016, and free applications are currently available to decrypt the encrypted files.
#2. Diablo
When Diablo first appeared in the middle of 2016, it used the.diablo6 file extension for encrypted data. ZIP attachments were a common feature of Diablo spam emails, and ransomware altered the encryption technique to add more complex anti-analysis schemes and evade detection.
#3. Zepto
In June 2016, the ransomware Zepto made its appearance. It employed many of the same methods as the ransomware Locky. The body of the emails contained the victim’s first name and a ZIP attachment that held an executable file for JavaScript. The. Zepto extension would be appended to each encrypted file.
#4. Odin
Odin launched its initial spam campaigns in September 2016, primarily aimed at US users, following Zepto’s lead. Other than appending the Odin’s extension to encrypted files, the ransomware behaved in the same manner as Locky.
#5. Osiris
Late in 2016, Osiris made an appearance. It used the. Osiris extension for encrypted files and included a novel encryption method. The attackers employed malvertising and spam to spread the malicious code. They also put in place a more intricate communication protocol for command and control, which makes it harder to locate and take down the ransomware’s supporting infrastructure. Osiris would infect Android and macOS devices in addition to Windows.
#6. Thor
Early in 2017, the Locky ransomware variant was discovered. A large-scale spam campaign that distributed ZIP attachments was the first step. Like other Locky variations, encrypted files in Thor were saved with a unique file extension (.thor). It also included code obfuscation techniques to further complicate discovery for cybersecurity researchers.
#7. Lukitus
It first appeared in the summer of 2017, using the Finnish name “Lukittu,” which means “locked.” The attackers spread the ransomware using distinct ransom notes and PDF files in spam emails. Files with the.lukitus extension were encrypted.
A few other Locky ransomware operations replicated the original approach, substituting the encrypted files with alternate extensions (e.g., aesir, asasin, loptr, shit, ykcol, and. Z).
How to Stay Safe from Locky Ransomware
#1. Protecting Your Enterprise From Locky Ransomware
Preventing malware from entering your system is the most vigorous defense against the destructive impacts of Locky ransomware attacks on your company. Our recommendation is to take a comprehensive approach to security.
A strong antivirus program is necessary yet insufficient for a company’s cybersecurity. We advise you to use a robust solution that can provide traffic-based malware blocking, DNS filtering, real-time scanning, and multi-layered AI-powered security if you want to be completely safe. You can also look at our Endpoint Prevention, Detection, and Response (EPDR) platform for the most excellent endpoint protection. This multi-layered security suite combines threat hunting, prevention, and mitigation into one package.
EMAIL PROTECTION
Many hackers expect you to open a malicious attachment or click on a bogus link to become infected, counting on you not paying attention to what your emails contain (see Locky’s MO). Make sure the links you wish to click lead to the intended location by paying attention to them. Never open attachments or click on links that you receive from unidentified, surprising, or unwelcome sources. You should also consider email security software such as our HeimdalTM Email Security.
#2. Protecting Your Personal Account From Locky Ransomware
It’s crucial to understand that your firewall cannot safeguard your gadgets on its own while defending your house from intrusions like the ones carried out by the Locky family. You must take great precautions to secure your digital life. Since most of us work from home due to the pandemic, having an all-around security solution at home is just as critical as having one at work. Since HeimdalTM Premium Security Home adds the particular threat prevention layer of HeimdalTM Threat Prevention Home to its faultless, industry-leading detection, we advise using it for this task. Stop ransomware, data leaks, viruses, APTs, exploits, and cutting-edge online threats with HeimdalTM Next-Gen Antivirus Home.
How to avoid Ransomware and other Locky
We can learn how costly and destructive ransomware assaults may be from Locky and other incidents. Therefore, preventing problems early on is far more prudent than responding later.
The following actions will stop Locky, its variations, and other ransomware attacks:
Acquire the ability to identify and steer clear of phoney websites, phishing emails, and possible social engineering techniques.
#2. Update the Software and Operating System on Your Computer
Regularly update and patch your operating system, web browsers, antivirus programs, and other apps. Ransomware frequently uses holes in out-of-date software to propagate.
#3. Never Click on Links or Download Attachments from Emails You did not Expect
Download attachments and click email links only if you know their authenticity.
#4. Put Spam Filters on
Your email client’s spam filter can lower the likelihood of receiving fraudulent emails and enhance email security in general.
#5. Turn Off the Macro Scripts
Set up your Office suite so that macros are disabled by default. The majority of Locky assaults employ malicious macros to download the ransomware. Moreover, you should only activate macros in Word, Excel, or other document formats if you have confirmed their legality and have faith in the source.
#6. Make a Data Backup
Make a backup of your crucial documents and data to cloud or offline storage that isn’t accessible from your PC—having backups guarantees that you can restore data without paying the ransom in the event of a ransomware attack.
#7. Make File Extensions Active
On your operating system, file extensions might not be accessible by default. You can view the entire file name and identify potentially dangerous file types by turning on extensions. You can use it to recognize harmful attachments, so you don’t have to open them.
#8. Employ a Firewall
You can monitor incoming and outgoing network traffic, stop illegal access attempts, and stop ransomware from contacting its command and control servers with a correctly set firewall.
#9. Obtain Strong Malware Defense
To provide real-time protection, install trustworthy security software and allow it to check any files you wish to download. Ransomware and other dangerous threats may be identified and blocked by anti-malware software, like NordVPN’s Threat Protection before they infect your device.
Is Locky Ransomware Still Active?
Although Locky isn’t operating right now, additional ransomware versions of Locky have surfaced. Many versions that employ different extensions for file encryption have been made available. Numerous expansions bear the names of mythological characters.
What are the Effects of Locky Ransomware?
A Locky ransomware attack can have detrimental effects. Any file the virus gains access to on your internal servers and systems may be encrypted. The Locky ransomware virus can destroy your system if you are a domain administrator.
What is the Top Ransomware in 2023?
The three well-known ransomware gangs with the highest number of successful assaults in the first half of 2023 are LockBit, Clop, and BlackCat.
How do Ransomware Hackers Get Paid?
Malware, known as ransomware, locks down a user’s computer data and prevents them from being accessed until the attacker receives a payment. Ransom demands are frequently made in cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin, which enables anonymous online payments.
Can You Break Ransomware?
Tools for decrypting files encrypted by particular ransomware strains are specialist software applications known as ransomware decryption tools. These programs, which cybersecurity specialists usually create, can be a helpful way to unlock encrypted information without paying the ransom.
Does Paying Ransomware Work?
Paying the ransom in case of a ransomware attack does not ensure that the perpetrators supply the decryption key. Most organizations can’t recover all of their data using decryption alone, not even with the key.
Conclusion
We cannot afford to be reactive and wait for problems to arise—that way, it might be too late—instead, we must be proactive and educate ourselves about the threats that exist in the world we live in. If we don’t, hackers will always be able to compromise our devices and steal our data. This also applies to ransomware like Locky—be sure you and your organisation have taken the necessary safeguards to stay ahead of the hackers and safe!
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