PyL33T Ransomware

Posted: February 23, 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:	8/10
Infected PCs:	49

First Seen:	February 23, 2017
Last Seen:	June 25, 2021
OS(es) Affected:	Windows

The PyL33T Ransomware is a Trojan that can lock your files by enciphering them with an AES algorithm, after which it displays a pop-up notification that delivers its ransom demands. Recovering your data with a decryption application may be impossible, and concerned PC users should continue protecting their media by backing it up to secure locations. Malware experts also strongly recommend updating any anti-malware products, when appropriate, to heighten the chances of detecting and removing the PyL33T Ransomware upon exposure.

A Snake Grows a New Head for Ransoming What's Yours

Python is a lesser-used programming language but is broadly capable of achieving similar results as that of more conventional alternatives, like C++. Malware experts can maintain this truism equally well for threatening software like file-encrypting Trojans, which readers can observe in action through such threats as the e-mail account targeting the Zimbra Ransomware or the recent PyL33T Ransomware. For its part, the PyL33T Ransomware most likely is an original program and shows no connections to past families of similarly extortion-oriented Trojans.

The PyL33T Ransomware is an in-development program that uses port '1337' for its Command & Control server communications, providing it with its current name. It identifies the files to attack by searching for specified drives and extensions, such as TXT, JPG, SQL and PDF. Any files matching its requirements undergo an AES-based encryption to block them from opening. Like many Trojans, the PyL33T Ransomware also adds a new '.d4nk' file name extension for both identification and branding purposes. Then, the Trojan uses the Windows MessageBox function to deliver any ransom-related information to the victim.

Cutting Back on Serpentine Problems in Your Life

With malware experts noting multiple versions of the PyL33T Ransomware in a short span of time, this Trojan's development appears to be highly active and is likely of being completed soon. AES-based encryption techniques sometimes can be impossible to decrypt freely, putting victims in the position of risking paying con artists for their help or losing their content entirely. However, the PyL33T Ransomware includes no features for targeting secure backups on cloud servers or removable devices, which continues giving weight to them as safe recovery options.

The PyL33T Ransomware is a Windows-specific application compatible with 32 and 64-bit environments. Since its installation exploits still are being appraised, PC users can only protect their files by scanning any suspicious files with the proper security applications and conducting their Web-browsing with safe settings. E-mail is one of the most widely used infection vectors for new, file-encrypting Trojans, although updated anti-malware products should detect and delete the PyL33T Ransomware when given the opportunity.

The PyL33T Ransomware isn't a particularly high-end Trojan, but even simple threats can cause file damage that's far more troublesome to reverse than it is to implement. Computer owners with personally-valuable media should take steps for protecting that information accordingly.

PyL33T Ransomware

Threat Metric

A Snake Grows a New Head for Ransoming What's Yours

Cutting Back on Serpentine Problems in Your Life

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