xXLecXx Ransomware

Posted: June 9, 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:	74

First Seen:	June 9, 2017
OS(es) Affected:	Windows

The xXLecXx Ransomware is a Trojan that blocks your desktop with an encryption warning and asks for a ransom to unlock your files. As an in-development threat, the xXLecXx Ransomware doesn't display a working encryption feature currently, and can't damage documents or other media. However, the Trojan may acquire an updated payload, in the future. Regardless of whether its author updates it or not, malware experts recommend using professional anti-malware software to block or remove the xXLecXx Ransomware.

When Warnings about Harm Take Precedence over Inflicting It

Although both business server admins and casual PC users shouldn't underestimate the real potential for Trojans to damage your files for profits, many threat actors prefer to emphasize the appearance of danger without the payload. The xXLecXx Ransomware, much like an empty bomb casing, is a Trojan that claims to be encrypting the contents of your hard drive, but actually, has no significant features, besides its pop-up. Uninformed PC users are, consequently, lured into paying a ransom for nothing.

While some security brands are identifying the xXLecXx Ransomware as a variant of Hidden Tear, malware experts have yet to verify this relationship, and the Trojan lacks most of the features associated with that family. When launched, the xXLecXx Ransomware displays an HTML pop-up formatted in imitation of the Windows 10 UI. Along with delivering its identity and the fake encryption warning, the xXLecXx Ransomware's window also blocks your ability to access parts of Windows, such as the taskbar or desktop.

In its early versions, the xXLecXx Ransomware neither encrypts your files nor contains any defenses against basic keyboard shortcuts. The Alt+F4 command will, in most Windows systems, close the active window, including the xXLecXx Ransomware's ransom message. Since the xXLecXx Ransomware doesn't cause any file damage, malware experts suggest against paying any ransom that the Trojan's threat actor asks for, such as Bitcoins.

Dealing with Trojans Whose Best Attacks Aim at Your Screen

The development work on the xXLecXx Ransomware may make current samples defunct, and future patches could give this Trojan a real file-encrypting function. If its threat actor does improve the payload, victims should look to free recovery tools or backups to restore any files that the xXLecXx Ransomware locks. Encryption is often, but not always, reversible with specialized software that the anti-malware sector distributes with no attached fees.

For the moment, no attacks using the xXLecXx Ransomware are making themselves known to malware researchers. The author could compromise business servers by distributing the xXLecXx Ransomware over e-mail attachments, or even by brute-forcing your login credentials. The RIG Exploit Kit, a Web-based threat, also is a common factor in many file-encrypting attacks. In most circumstances, using restrictive browser settings and having anti-malware products for removing the xXLecXx Ransomware should be adequate protection.

As a Trojan, the xXLecXx Ransomware is a well-understood threat. However, its campaign's motivations, targets, and other details all await further investigation. This Trojan's potential for infamy may be up to its victims to determine inadvertently.

Technical Details

File System Modifications

Tutorials: If you wish to learn how to remove malware components manually, you can read the tutorials on how to find malware, kill unwanted processes, remove malicious DLLs and delete other harmful files. Always be sure to back up your PC before making any changes.

The following files were created in the system:

file.exe

File name: file.exe
Size: 185.34 KB (185344 bytes)
MD5: 7381f2d9c160a1a006f63c2cdc8f4860
Detection count: 94
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: June 9, 2017