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WormLocker Ransomware

Posted: January 4, 2021

The WormLocker Ransomware is a file-locking Trojan that blocks users' media, such as documents so that they can't open. Besides the traditional ransoming-based attacks, this threat also damages Windows components and prevents the PC from rebooting. Users should repair the Windows installation post-haste, delete the WormLocker Ransomware with appropriate security software and retrieve their work from a backup.

A Cyber-Worm that Leaves Permanent Damage as It Burrows

Not to suffer confusion with worm classification – a threat that self-duplicates its installation files for propagation – the WormLocker Ransomware is a mostly-normal, file-locker Trojan. This newly-caught threat lacks a family, GitHub project, or another definitive origin. Its payload is as unique as its identity and pairs encryption with extreme attacks against the Windows operating system.

The WormLocker Ransomware's extraordinarily OS-damaging feature corrupts the logonui.exe, a Windows component. This executable is mandatory for the PC's booting correctly. Although the WormLocker Ransomware's payload leaves an active Windows interface for looking at its ransom note, users who restart their computers only will experience error messages, as per the Trojan's warning.

Surprisingly, malware researchers confirm that the WormLocker Ransomware isn't after anything more than the same ransoms that most file-locker Trojans demand. It blocks the user's media files, such as documents, with encryption and loads a full-screen pop-up with the ransoming and decryption interface. Due to its Euro currency preference, the WormLocker Ransomware's campaign targets European regions but may block files on Windows computers anywhere else in the world.

Collapsing a Worm's Ransom-Funneling Excavation

Users have many options for repairing Windows components and restoring booting capability to infected systems. Features such as the System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) repair damaged Windows components and are available from the Command Prompt. Users could also boot through a peripheral device, with the added benefit of having the Trojan inactive while carrying out the disinfection, data recovery and miscellaneous repairs.

Possibly because it employs a text-to-speech feature in its ransom note, the WormLocker Ransomware installer uses a fake name that suggests that it's an RTF to MP4 conversion application. Users should avoid downloading software without checking their safety first and be wary of traditionally-infectious resources like torrent networks. Administrators also should be careful while managing software updates and choosing passwords; neglecting either of these duties can lead to remote 'hacks' by enterprising threat actors.

Besides its unusual degree of Windows damage, this Trojan isn't very different from other threats like Hidden Tear. Most cyber-security programs will identify and delete the WormLocker Ransomware, thanks to their general threat heuristics.

As often as it bears repeating, backups also play an irreplaceable part in stopping the WormLocker Ransomware's campaign. Without that file-based leverage, the attacker has nothing to threaten victims with, other than easily-repairable Windows damage.

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