Netflix Ransomware

Posted: January 27, 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:	76

First Seen:	January 27, 2017
OS(es) Affected:	Windows

The Netflix Ransomware is a Trojan that may lock your files to force you into paying a ransom fee for their decoding. However, third-party-provided decryptors may experience issues with data retrieval in addition to the usual dangers of the threat actor choosing not to provide anything after taking your money. Your standard anti-malware protection should be able to block this Trojan's access to your files by deleting the Netflix Ransomware immediately.

Movies at a Cost Too Great to Pay

Although any threat campaign that uses file encryption as a method of extortion must, first, gain access to a targeted system, con artists are continuing to use sophisticated social engineering tactics for disguising and distributing these attacks. One operation that malware researchers are finding noteworthy in this respect is the recent Netflix Ransomware. As per its title, this Trojan infiltrates the systems of the Netflix users by mimicking a combination of account notifications and login requests, which lets it position itself for locking your local files.

The initial infection vector appears to be an e-mail spam campaign purporting that the victim is experiencing a cancellation or other, unwanted changes to their the Netflix account. Embedded HTML links redirect the victim to a threatening website that hosts exploits for installing the Netflix Ransomware inside of a fake login form. The Netflix Ransomware's payload, which should trigger after its installation automatically, uses encryption to encipher your files.

Although malware experts have not been able to identify the algorithm that the Netflix Ransomware uses, its attacks do render any targeted files unreadable until the victim can decipher them with a matching decryptor application. When it finishes, the Netflix Ransomware generates a pop-up leading to another file that includes instructions for buying the decryptor from the Trojan's operator. At this point in the payload, the Trojan dispenses with any pretense of having an affiliation with the Netflix or any legitimate account activities.

Turning Off a Movie with a Bad Ending

The Netflix Ransomware is a showcase of how con artists can use Web design elements to make an otherwise standard Trojan look like something completely safe predominantly. Some variants of the Netflix Ransomware also may be targeting users of smartphones and similar, Android-based devices, although threatening file encryption is at its most profitable when deploying against PC servers. Victims who exercise precautions like disabling JavaScript and using anti-malware protection that monitors for threatening URLs should be at minimal risk from this campaign.

Since no free decryption programs are in release for counteracting the Netflix Ransomware, backups are the most reliable method of data restoration that malware experts can recommend. Ransoming techniques may abuse cryptocurrencies that can't have their payments canceled even if you don't receive anything in return for your 'investment.' Due to the potential for file damage that you may not be able to revert, preemptive deletion of the Netflix Ransomware with anti-malware programs always is advisable.

A Trojan's operations may be indicators of the popularity of current media products as much as anything else. Blind trust in a brand like the Netflix can have consequences for your files that may not be easy to reverse.

Netflix Ransomware

Threat Metric

Movies at a Cost Too Great to Pay

Turning Off a Movie with a Bad Ending

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