Home Malware Programs Ransomware ABOUT FILES! Ransomware

ABOUT FILES! Ransomware

Posted: June 18, 2015

Threat Metric

Ranking: 5,855
Threat Level: 8/10
Infected PCs: 28,939
First Seen: June 18, 2015
Last Seen: October 12, 2023
OS(es) Affected: Windows

The ABOUT FILES! Ransomware (also referred to as error_(filename).xls Ransomware, according to its file renaming style), is a file encryption Trojan. The ABOUT FILES! Ransomware prevents you from accessing important files by rearranging their data, afterward holding the key to reversing its attack hostage for money. Malware researchers aren't able to verify the safety or reliability of bargaining with third parties for a file recovery service. However, you can use dependable backup strategies, along with proven anti-malware solutions, for overcoming and removing the ABOUT FILES! Ransomware.

An Unknown File Encryptor Makes Itself Known

The ABOUT FILES! Ransomware is a new file encryptor currently suspected of being a derivative of Pclock, which, itself, is an imitator of the well-known CryptoLocker Trojan. However, the official family classification is awaiting confirmation. Malware experts saw theABOUT FILES! Ransomware attacks in June of this year, through seemingly targeted attacks against unspecified, English-speaking companies. The standard means of introduction for such an attack is via e-mail file attachments, which may disguise their Trojan installers as spreadsheets, PDFs or text documents.

After gaining access to your system, the ABOUT FILES! Ransomware searches for files with critical formats, such as Word documents or Excel spreadsheets. All files of those formats are encrypted and renamed with additional 'error_' tags. These tags let PC users identify the affected files immediately, although malware researchers haven't seen the ABOUT FILES! Ransomware changing the file formats. The encrypted files can't be opened or read by appropriate programs until the ABOUT FILES! Ransomware's attack has been reversed (or 'decrypted').

The ABOUT FILES! Ransomware also drops an instructional text file (its 'ABOUT FILES!' document) into every folder of the infected PC. These instructions demand that all victims pay a Bitcoin fee to the threat's administrators, in exchange for the file decryption key. Average ransom demands are equivalent to 750 USD.

About Saving Your Files from ABOUT FILES! Ransomware

While PC security researchers of various institutions research and develop tools for dealing with the ABOUT FILES! Ransomware's payload, PC owners can take personal actions to protect their files. Remotely-stored file backups, such as cloud storage bins, are accessible ways of preventing the ABOUT FILES! Ransomware's file encryption from doing any permanent harm to your information. PC users employed in vulnerable businesses should be cautious of any unusual e-mail files received and, when possible, scan them for threats before opening them.

If this Trojan installs itself on your PC, the ABOUT FILES! Ransomware may coordinate its attacks alongside other threats. Although malware experts haven't finalized their conclusions of all possibilities, they have identified evidence of the ABOUT FILES! Ransomware attacks being related to password compromises and attacks symptomatic of a backdoor Trojan. Third parties have been known to instruct the ABOUT FILES! Ransomware to uninstall itself, but you should use anti-malware equipment for verifying the safety of any system subjected to these attacks, regardless of all other factors. Naturally, that same equipment can remove ABOUT FILES! Ransomware, although your files will continue being encrypted.

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