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KCTF Locker Ransomware

Posted: September 10, 2018

The KCTF Locker Ransomware is a file-locking Trojan from a cyber-security competition. While the KCTF Locker Ransomware isn't for live distribution, it can harm your computer by modifying most of its files, and threat actors may hijack its code for ransom-related purposes. Avoid running this program in an unprotected Windows environment and use backups for recovering your file data, along with anti-malware tools for uninstalling the KCTF Locker Ransomware, if it becomes necessary.

It's All Fun and Games until You Run the Wrong Program

A recent cyber-security competition in Japan, based on the 'Capture The Flag' model where individuals take turns compromising others' PCs or defending against those attacks, is employing a new file-locker Trojan. The KCTF Locker Ransomware, which uses a simple, XOR algorithm for locking files, isn't meant for threatening use, but, like Hidden Tear, could be exploited for such crimes in the wrong hands. Although its 'origin story' is different from that of most threats, defending against the KCTF Locker Ransomware requires the same protection that one would need against the Crysis Ransomware, the Jigsaw Ransomware and other Trojans.

The KCTF Locker Ransomware is a .NET Framework application that runs in Windows environments. Current samples in the hands of malware researchers also include an early warning message that informs the user of the risk of running the program. If it launches anyway, the KCTF Locker Ransomware locks most files in the C drive, including most folders and sub-folders, with its XOR encryption. The author also provides a pop-up with a Japanese-language ransoming note that asks for Bitcoins.

Although the KCTF Locker Ransomware's payload is similar to that of other, low-level Trojans with file-blocking features, it isn't an intentional danger to the public at large, or to corporate or government entities. Accordingly, it makes no effort at concealing its identity in either its pop-ups or the credentials of its installer. Windows users should only become endangered after running this program intentionally or in cases where its code is misappropriated and subject to the abuse of a third-party.

Keeping Trojans in Japan and Off Your Computer

CTF tournaments in the PC security community aren't a highly-prolific source of file-locker Trojans, but the KCTF Locker Ransomware is just as capable of damaging your documents, pictures, and other media as any other threat with similar features. Some general recommendations for reducing the chances of them harming your files include keeping backups on detachable drives, using secure cloud storage, and avoiding unsafe networks. Infection vectors for file-locking Trojans, frequently, involve using e-mail attachments or brute-forcing past badly-chosen logins.

The KCTF Locker Ransomware warns the user of the danger of launching it, but any criminals who take over this Trojan will remove those messages almost certainly. Unfortunately, since the KCTF Locker Ransomware lacks many of the heuristic behavior that the cyber-security community associates with Trojans, a significant amount of security solutions aren't detecting this threat accurately. Update your anti-malware programs for helping them with deleting the KCTF Locker Ransomware before any file damage becomes an issue.

Malware experts are presuming that few campaigns by legitimate threat actors will bother making use of the KCTF Locker Ransomware. However, it's best not to leave the safety of your computer's contents to chance when preserving it is no more than a backup away from you.

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