Paycrypt Ransomware
Posted: April 19, 2016
Threat Metric
The following fields listed on the Threat Meter containing a specific value, are explained in detail below:
Threat Level: The threat level scale goes from 1 to 10 where 10 is the highest level of severity and 1 is the lowest level of severity. Each specific level is relative to the threat's consistent assessed behaviors collected from SpyHunter's risk assessment model.
Detection Count: The collective number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular malware threat. The detection count is calculated from infected PCs retrieved from diagnostic and scan log reports generated by SpyHunter.
Volume Count: Similar to the detection count, the Volume Count is specifically based on the number of confirmed and suspected threats infecting systems on a daily basis. High volume counts usually represent a popular threat but may or may not have infected a large number of systems. High detection count threats could lay dormant and have a low volume count. Criteria for Volume Count is relative to a daily detection count.
Trend Path: The Trend Path, utilizing an up arrow, down arrow or equal symbol, represents the level of recent movement of a particular threat. Up arrows represent an increase, down arrows represent a decline and the equal symbol represent no change to a threat's recent movement.
% Impact (Last 7 Days): This demonstrates a 7-day period change in the frequency of a malware threat infecting PCs. The percentage impact correlates directly to the current Trend Path to determine a rise or decline in the percentage.
Threat Level: | 2/10 |
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Infected PCs: | 54 |
First Seen: | April 19, 2016 |
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Last Seen: | September 12, 2022 |
OS(es) Affected: | Windows |
The Paycrypt Ransomware is a file encryptor: a threat that uses data encryption algorithms for holding your PC's data hostage. While the Paycrypt Ransomware coerces victims into paying fees for a decryption tool, malware experts continue finding good results from using a variety of free methods of protecting, restoring, or decrypting your saved files. In successful infection scenarios, always remove the Paycrypt Ransomware with a suitable anti-malware product before taking any steps regarding restoring your saved content back to normal.
The All-In-One Browser Hijacker, File Encryptor and Anonymous Advocate
The Paycrypt Ransomware is a likely variant of CryptoLocker, following the same general mold as similar spinoffs, such as the Av666@weekendwarrior55' Ransomware. As with the multitudes of other CryptoLocker variants that came before it, the Paycrypt Ransomware's signature purpose is to scan for files on your PC unrelated to your operating system, encrypt them, and then force you to buy the decryptor. Its payment method uses e-mail, rather than Tor. All affected files are immediately recognizable by their new format strings, which include an infection-specific ID number, along with the Paycrypt Ransomware's e-mail address.
While the Paycrypt Ransomware lacks high marks for creativity, malware researchers did find one additional feature of note in its payload. Registry-based settings changes may allow the Paycrypt Ransomware to hijack your Web browser and block unwanted websites, which may generate generic HTTP errors. The Paycrypt Ransomware may use this attack for blocking relevant sites, such as PC security forums or domains that provide free decryptors.
The Paycrypt Ransomware's non-text ransom message (which it provides in addition to multiple copies of a text-based alternative) also displays images of the Anonymous hacktivist group's 'mascot,' although the Paycrypt Ransomware claims no affiliation with the organization.
Depriving the Paycrypt Ransomware of an Unearned Payday
The Paycrypt Ransomware uses an as-of-yet unconfirmed encryption algorithm method, but some free PC security tools have shown initial success in decrypting affected data. Besides using such software, you also can keep your files on Web storage servers or detached hard drive-based devices, either of which is impervious to the majority of traditional file encryptors. However, to prevent any further damage to your computer, malware experts encourage resolving all security issues related to the Paycrypt Ransomware before getting your data back.
While the Paycrypt Ransomware has shown no inclinations towards distributing itself independently, the installation techniques in use for its campaign are unknown. General Trojans and Trojan droppers that may be delivering the Paycrypt Ransomware, such as Trojan.Ransomcrypt.L, may use the disguise of an e-mail attachment. The attachment may be an executable file being misrepresented by its icon and name, or it may be a document with threat-dropping exploits embedded inside it.
Paying the Paycrypt Ransomware's con artists to get your data restored always should be a last resort, regardless of the value of the content in question. While removing the Paycrypt Ransomware is done easily by most good anti-malware tools, and standard backup strategies can neuter its payload, there are almost no reasons or rational motives for helping this threat's bottom line.
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