EduCrypt Ransomware Relays Shrewd Lesson for Succumbing to Malware

The authors of recent ransomware have been on the move to create variations of the malware to perform different techniques for the benefit of extorting money from computer users. In the latest roundup of ransomware, many of the threats have taken a different path to utilize new aggressive attack methods and shrewd humor to fundamentally teach victimized computer users a lesson.

EduCrypt is a prime example of ransomware authors losing their wits in creating malware that attempts to teach victimized computer users a lesson on what they should or should not do to prevent future infections. Funny enough, EduCrypt Ransomware is a real threat that has a two-fold purpose, one that still utilizes aggressive file encryption algorithms, and one that attempts to express how one obtain a cryptor in a sarcastic tone laced with four-letter words.

First discovered by AVG's Jakub Kroustek, EduCrypt Ransomware is much different from other ransomware as it doesn't ask for a ransom fee for obtaining the decryptor. However, EduCrypt Ransomware is still able to encrypt files but not in the aggressive manner ransomware has done as of late. EduCrypt Ransomware uses simple AES encryption but only targets a small number of file types, mostly those within the Documents, Pictures, Downloads, Music and Video folders on an infected Windows PC.

The ransom notification from EduCrypt reads:

"Well hello there, seems you have a virus!, Well you are going to get the cryptor which is here [URL Link to download cryptor] Don't Download Random [expletive] On The Internet A Hidden .txt File Has Been Created With The Decrypt Password! Find It!..."

The link provided within the EduCrypt Ransomware message is legitimate and actually provides the Hidden Tear decryptor, which will decrypt all encrypted files on an infected computer. The supposed lesson in the EduCrypt Ransomware message is one that roots back to the fact that malware is usually obtained through surfing the Internet on questionable sites filled with malicious content.

EduCrypt Ransomware's name couldn't be more appropriate as it is claimed to be more for educational purposes than actual malware designed to cause destruction and extort money from victimized computer users. Moreover, computer users who encounter EduCrypt Ransomware should be thankful that they can dodge the common undertakings that come with recent encryption type ransomware, which holds encrypted files for a substantial ransom fee that may be as much as $1,000 or more.

As far as heeding to the message from EduCrypt Ransomware, computer users have a simple task of avoiding spam email downloads and viewing questionable sites, which will ultimately help in avoiding malware infections. In any case, never give into any type of malware, even if it is attempting to teach you a lesson.