Xbotcode@gmail.com Ransomware

The 'Xbotcode@gmail.com' Ransomware is an EDA2-based Trojan that enciphers and blocks your local files under the pretense of being a new version of the '.locky File Extension' Ransomware. Although the two threats are not related to each other necessarily, the 'Xbotcode@gmail.com' Ransomware does feature comprehensive data-encoding functions that are best circumvented by you keeping diligent backups. You also may identify or remove the 'Xbotcode@gmail.com' Ransomware through the protection provided by your anti-malware products.

Cheap Code Strikes Back for More Expensive Trouble

Whether it's for efficiency or simply out of laziness, one of the most routine sights in the environment of the threat industry is the reuse of old, publicly-released code. The availability of 'example' threatening programs like EDA2 makes it easier than usual for con artists to create new threats while investing very little into each single campaign. One new threat malware analysts find from this mold, the 'Xbotcode@gmail.com' Ransomware, couples a file-locking payload with an attempt to misrepresent its identity.

Early versions of the 'Xbotcode@gmail.com' Ransomware's family spread via fake cracks for popular gaming products like 'Fary Cry Primal,' and other, illegal download resources. The 'Xbotcode@gmail.com' Ransomware's personal infection vectors are unidentified at this time, although malware experts do find modular versions of it for rent to independent threat actors on underground websites. After it gains access, the 'Xbotcode@gmail.com' Ransomware begins scanning your accessible drives for files to encrypt, including documents, images, music or spreadsheets.

By including the '.locky' extension that it appends to each encrypted file's name, the 'Xbotcode@gmail.com' Ransomware tries to pass its attack off as being part of the so-called 'Locky' family of file-encryptor Trojans. This ploy most likely is being done to help facilitate fast payments on the part of any victims, with the instructions for doing so (supposedly, to get your data restored) placed in a newly-generated Notepad message.

Taking the Sharp Price out of a Trojan with Another One's Calling Card

Some versions of the EDA2 Trojans are susceptible to decryption utilities that can recover any locked data while avoiding the risk of the ransom payment. Malware experts recommend eschewing the latter traditionally since threat actors make no further effort to help their victims frequently, once the money transfer (most often through untraceable currencies like Bitcoin) is complete. Backing up your files every time you change them also provides all PC users with safe recovery possibilities against the 'Xbotcode@gmail.com' Ransomware, and most, similar threats.

Previous Trojans related to the 'Xbotcode@gmail.com' Ransomware most often target casual PC users, but the rental model for the 'Xbotcode@gmail.com' Ransomware may make any new distribution models more unpredictable than in the past. The 'Xbotcode@gmail.com' Ransomware does have some associations with exploits embedded in corrupted documents, which often circulate through spam e-mails. Whatever the means of infection might be, using anti-malware software for uninstalling the 'Xbotcode@gmail.com' Ransomware offers the greatest assurance of closing all related security vulnerabilities, such as a Command & Control backdoor.

With EDA2 and other, inexpensive or even free resources of threat campaigns being obtainable so readily, PC users should continue watching over all probable infection methods and security issues. Changing passwords and scanning attachments are common-sense precautions that can keep Trojans like the 'Xbotcode@gmail.com' Ransomware from keeping your files under a permanent lock-down.