Nullbyte Ransomware

Posted: September 1, 2016

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:	74

First Seen:	September 1, 2016
OS(es) Affected:	Windows

The NullByte Ransomware is a Trojan that encrypts your files and holds them for ransom while also implementing some information-collecting spyware attacks. This Trojan's campaign targets Pokemon GO players and users of illicit bot utilities, which makes the systems of software pirates the prime candidates for infection. Practice safe file-downloading habits and use anti-malware programs for removing the NullByte Ransomware, hopefully, before it can encrypt any valuable data.

When Cheating at Games Becomes Getting Cheated in Turn

The different methods by which threat authors seed their programs across the Web says many things about both them and the victims that fall for their exploits. With the ongoing campaign for the NullByte Ransomware, malware experts point out a particularly obvious case of Web surfers throwing away their PC's security out of the hope of breaking the rules of a game (and, in most places, the law). This file encrypting Trojan is another member of the DetoxCrypto Ransomware family, much like the Serpico Ransomware.

Con artists distribute the NullByte Ransomware's installer disguised as a new build of NecroBot, a cheat utility that automates the player's actions for Pokemon GO. Instead of just using a misleading file name and download page, the NullByte Ransomware's authors have created an in-depth campaign around this threat by including a copycat login screen and loading window into the Trojan's interface. While the victims try to access their bot account, the NullByte Ransomware begins encrypting their files, focusing on specific folders (such as the default locations for downloads, documents, pictures and music).

Malware experts also can confirm the NullByte Ransomware's continuation of the original DetoxCrypto Ransomware's use of screen-capturing features. The NullByte Ransomware also has one other data-collecting function that's appropriate for it uniquely: grabbing the NecroBot login credentials of its victims.

Nullifying the Effects of a Well-Disguised Trojan

The moral suitability of targeting cheaters with a threat campaign may be highly debatable, but the NullByte Ransomware's consequences are potentially more severe than even the most unrepentant botnet user warrants. The NullByte Ransomware asks for a relatively small ransom of 0.1 Bitcoins (or 60 USD) for decrypting your data, although your files may be unrecoverable. PC users with Web access may benefit from using public DetoxCrypto Ransomware decryptors without a charge, but the NullByte Ransomware also closes the processes of most Web browsers.

Since its installation exploit is exceptionally specific, PC owners can protect themselves from the current iteration of the NullByte Ransomware campaign by avoiding illicit game 'enhancements,' such as bot tools and similar cheat programs. If you do have a legitimate reason to download software that could carry this threat with it, file-scanning anti-malware technology should remove the NullByte Ransomware before it starts to encrypt your hard drive. As a last resort, storing important files away from default Windows directories may stop the NullByte Ransomware, if not necessarily similar Trojans, from targeting them.

When it comes to Trojans, seeing isn't believing. Threats like the NullByte Ransomware can conceal their attacks beneath intricate disguises that are avoidable by having a clean, legal, and cautious Web-surfing lifestyle.

Nullbyte Ransomware

Threat Metric

When Cheating at Games Becomes Getting Cheated in Turn

Nullifying the Effects of a Well-Disguised Trojan

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