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KeyBTC Ransomware

Posted: May 2, 2016

Threat Metric

Threat Level: 8/10
Infected PCs: 40
First Seen: May 2, 2016
Last Seen: November 25, 2020
OS(es) Affected: Windows

The KeyBTC Ransomware is a threatening file encryptor that modifies the internal code of your files and then sells a reversal of the modification, or a decryptor, back to you. Although the KeyBTC Ransomware's authors claim that they will provide a demonstration of their decryption service, most PC users should consider using free means of data recovery that don't require paying a ransom. Always try to identify and then remove the KeyBTC Ransomware with an anti-malware product once you see its characteristic symptoms.

The Key to Your Files that's Split in Two

The KeyBTC Ransomware is a Trojan that uses social engineering tactics, such as putting its ransom payments on a timer and providing misleading recovery information, to guarantee that its victims make their payments. Although the technical implementation of its ransom and decryption process includes some unusual decisions, the bulk of its features is similar to those of older file encryptors. As usual, the victim of a KeyBTC Ransomware infection can depend on changed file names and ransom messages extremely visible delivered in text and image formats to identify this threat.

The KeyBTC Ransomware installs itself through ZIP-compressed e-mail attachments that use JavaScript, although their names imply falsely that they're Word documents. The KeyBTC Ransomware's payload, triggering automatically after its installation, includes encrypting and renaming files of non-essential types, such as Microsoft Office formats. They also are given new extensions referencing the KeyBTC Ransomware's current e-mail address, which it uses for its ransom and decryption transactions.

Most file encryptors under analysis by malware experts store their decryption information in a single file, which the threat uploads to a remote server. The KeyBTC Ransomware uses a slightly unusual methodology of storing the relevant decryption data in two local files that are, in turn, encrypted with a second algorithm. Victims can then transfer them (file1.bin and file2.bin) to the con artists, along with a single file, before they receive any further details about how to make the KeyBTC Ransomware's ransom payment and restore all data.

Unlocking Your Hard Drive's Contents without Buying a Black Market Key

The KeyBTC Ransomware claims that no alternative means are available for decrypting your data, but, as usual for such threats, offers incorrect information while backing up this assertion. Although the KeyBTC Ransomware does delete local backup data, malware researchers still can encourage restoring your content through a non-local backup, such as a cloud storage service. Some PC security institutions also provide free decryption utilities for unlocking files encrypted by threatening file encryptors.

Most, if not necessarily all encryption Trojans use well-known installation exploits that centralize around e-mail spam. Be cautious about e-mail attachments from unconfirmed senders, including documents that may contain macro-based vulnerabilities for installing the KeyBTC Ransomware. A scan by any up-to-date anti-malware product should be able to identify most Trojan droppers responsible for placing these threats, which will prevent you from needing to worry about data recovery at all. If the installation does succeed, such tools also should be used for removing the KeyBTC Ransomware, which conceals its processes and files.

The urgent pressure the KeyBTC Ransomware places on those attacked by it can be contrasts starkly with the duplicitous nature of the facts provided in its recommendations. Malware experts almost always can suggest viable solutions for restoring a hard drive's contents without calling for making any payments to the people responsible for the original infection.

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