EdgeLocker Ransomware

Posted: January 2, 2017

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.

Threat Level:	10/10
Infected PCs:	31

First Seen:	January 2, 2017
OS(es) Affected:	Windows

The EdgeLocker Ransomware is a Trojan that takes ransoms from its victims by locking their local files with encryption. Because threat actors may extract their payment without returning any decryption assistance, most PC users should attempt other means of reversing the impact of this Trojan when they fail to prevent an infection. Update your anti-malware products to maximize the chance of detecting and removing the EdgeLocker Ransomware, thereby preventing any possible file loss.

Forecasting New Trojans from the Remains of the Old Year

The tail-end of 2016 offers some unusual changes in the threat industry's attempts at leveraging attacks for profit, such as an increase in focus on industrial companies. However, small-scale file-enciphering threats also remain prolific and may continue attacking both personal computers and small to mid-sized business networks. The EdgeLocker Ransomware is one of the last samples of the past year that malware experts see within the latter category, without any clear evidence of how its threat actors are installing it.

The EdgeLocker Ransomware uses the traditional payload of blocking files with an RSA-protected enciphering process most likely basing itself on an original AES algorithm. The EdgeLocker Ransomware may target different files according to either their directories or their formats, with malware experts rating documents (TXT, PDF, DOC), spreadsheets (XLS), images (JPG, BMP, GIF) as at risk particularly. Victims may identify which files the EdgeLocker Ransomware locks by searching for the extension added to the end of all their filenames ('.edgel') or by reading the list the Trojan includes in its ransoming message.

The Trojan delivers that last element via a crafted HTA pop-up, including built-in payment and decryption options. Samples of the EdgeLocker Ransomware to date use a small ransom amount of 0.1 Bitcoin, making the Trojan more likely of targeting personal computers instead of well-funded organizations.

The Cutting Edge in Protecting Yourself from File Ransoms

Although the threat industry can move just as quickly as any other form of software development, the EdgeLocker Ransomware is one of the many showcases that many con artists are taking a route of 'least effort required' to profit. Malware experts recommend scanning incoming files and minding browser security features that could help block this threat, which is likely to bundle itself with other programs or benefit from a website hosted exploit kit. The Trojan's main executable is under a megabyte, which can make the download easily unnoticeable from its network traffic or file size.

Storing backups outside of access to threats like the EdgeLocker Ransomware is an essential form of protection against any Trojan that deletes or enciphers your data. Because of the risk of the Trojan targeting local data, a good practice is to keep redundant copies in such locations as password-protected servers or detached storage devices. Some anti-malware products also may remove the EdgeLocker Ransomware before it scans any hard drives, although malware experts warn that current rates for detection among major brands are non-ideal.

Con artists have no apparent inclination of giving up a working premise, and with Trojans like the EdgeLocker Ransomware still extant, taking all steps required to avoid needing to pay an extortionist for what's on your PC continues being in the general public's best interest.

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:

file.exe

File name: file.exe
Size: 593.4 KB (593408 bytes)
MD5: 99c28ccc3ad71f209aeab165265d7863
Detection count: 73
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: January 2, 2017