CryptoWall Ransomware

Posted: May 12, 2014

Threat Metric

The Threat Meter is a malware assessment that SpywareRemove.com's research team is able to give every identifiable malware threat. Our Threat Meter includes several criteria based off of specific malware threats to value their severity, reach and volume. The Threat Meter is able to give you a numerical breakdown of each threat's initial Threat Level, Detection Count, Volume Count, Trend Path and Percentage Impact. The overall ranking of each threat in the Threat Meter is a basic breakdown of how all threats are ranked within our own extensive malware database. The scoring for each specific malware threat can be easily compared to other emerging threats to draw a contrast in its particular severity. The Threat Meter is a useful tool in the endeavor of seeking a solution to remove a threat or pursue additional analytical research for all types of computer users.

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.

Ranking:	9,308
Threat Level:	10/10
Infected PCs:	11,275

First Seen:	May 12, 2014
Last Seen:	October 17, 2023
OS(es) Affected:	Windows

The CryptoWall Ransomware is a file encryptor Trojan that encodes the data of different file types and holds them hostage. The persons responsible for distributing the CryptoWall Ransomware through hacked websites and other methods demand that any victims make a high payment to return the affected files to readability, but malware researchers recommend against this course of action. As opposed to rewarding ill-minded persons for attacking your PC, file backups can let you restore any encrypted files for free, and anti-malware tools, as usual, can remove the CryptoWall Ransomware, albeit not all of the aftereffects of its attacks.

The CryptoWall Ransomware: the Word that's Hot on Blog Sites

The CryptoWall Ransomware has joined the ranks of other, equally prominent Trojans being distributed through hacked WordPress websites, despite the CryptoWall Ransomware also being seen distributed via spam e-mail and other means. The most recent distribution methods redirect the victim's Web browser through a string of other, hacked sites through iFrame vulnerabilities, eventually leading to the Goon Exploit Kit. Because malware experts have seen that attacks for the CryptoWall Ransomware also rotate alternate payloads into use, the installation of the CryptoWall Ransomware is just one of several, potential consequences of these attacks. WordPress site administrators are, once again, reminded that outdated versions of that Web design platform are especially vulnerable to security breaches, inevitably leading to threat distribution.

With its installation proceeding automatically, the CryptoWall Ransomware can then proceed with encrypting various file types on your hard drives, including image files and text documents. The RSA-2048 encryption will prevent these files from being read properly by your computer, making restoring them from a remote backup the simplest solution. However, the CryptoWall Ransomware will display a ransom-themed pop-up demanding hundreds of dollars' worth in BitCoins, ostensibly before the CryptoWall Ransomware will decrypt the files for you. Naturally, malware experts do not encourage this questionable solution, which relies on unreliable persons making good on their word – after already having taken your money.

Taking Back Your Fair Share of a File Ransom

Due to the inevitable and highly disruptive symptoms associated with a successful CryptoWall Ransomware attack, the CryptoWall Ransomware infections usually should be noticed almost immediately. Regardless of the files encrypted by the CryptoWall Ransomware, the CryptoWall Ransomware also will place additional files into the targeted directories that include its ransom instructions, labeled as 'DECRYPT_INSTRUCTION.' However, the CryptoWall Ransomware's delivery and installation methods are presumed to occur without any visible signs.

Besides the ever-important facets of website administrative security that are relevant to stopping the CryptoWall Ransomware's ongoing campaign (which has targeted charitable organizations, along with blogs), PC users also can disable JavaScript in their Web browsers. Doing so will block many of the exploits used to redirect victims to the attack. In cases of confirmed exposure to such a hacked website, malware researchers recommend disinfecting the PC, whether or not any indicators of the CryptoWall Ransomware's attacks are in evidence.
Like other, similar Trojan distribution campaigns, the CryptoWall Ransomware displays clearly that threat attacks have no need to be creative to be successful or threatening in their larceny.

Technical Details

File System Modifications

Tutorials: If you wish to learn how to remove malware components manually, you can read the tutorials on how to find malware, kill unwanted processes, remove malicious DLLs and delete other harmful files. Always be sure to back up your PC before making any changes.

The following files were created in the system:

%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\HELP_DECRYPT.URL

File name: HELP_DECRYPT.URL
Size: 300B (300 bytes)
MD5: a8f62bf5921bc682767ba649abb0ce9f
Detection count: 375
Mime Type: unknown/URL
Path: %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: August 11, 2017