Lazarus Ransomware

The Lazarus Ransomware is a new file-locking Trojan that has been spotted in the wild by experts. Just like most malware of this type, the Lazarus Ransomware will com-promise your computer, lock your files sneakily, and then demand money in exchange for a decryption key that is meant to inverse the damage that was done to your data.

Propagation and Encryption

It is not clear what infection vectors have been used in the propagation of the Lazarus Ransomware or if certain re-gions or demographics are being targeted by the authors of this threat. The creators of the Lazarus Ransomware are likely using fake emails to distribute this data-locking Trojan. Such spam email campaigns would often include a misleading, fraudulent message and a seemingly harm-less attached file, which is actually macro-laced. Opening the macro-laced attachment may result in your system getting infected with the Lazarus Ransomware. Other like-ly distribution techniques are torrent trackers, bogus pi-rated media and software, fake application updates and downloads, etc. The Lazarus Ransomware targets a large variety of files, so rest assured that all the images, audio files, videos, documents, presentations, spreadsheets, databases, archives, and other popular files will be en-crypted by this nasty Trojan most certainly. When the Lazarus Ransomware locks a file, it also appends a new extension to the end of its name - '[][recoverydata52@protonmail.com].Snc.'

The Ransom Note

When the Lazarus Ransomware has completed the en-cryption process, it will change the victim's wallpaper with the image used in the campaigns of the notorious Petya Ransomware. Fortunately, the Lazarus Ransomware is in no way affiliated with the much more potent and danger-ous Petya Ransomware. The ransom message can be found in a file named 'ReadMe.txt.' In the message, the authors of the Lazarus Ransomware state that they are willing to de-crypt one file for free so that the users will be convinced that they are able to recover the corrupted data. The vic-tims are expected to get in touch with the attackers via email on ‘recoverydata52@protonmail.com' or via the Tel-egram instant messaging service - @book545.

It is not a good idea to contact the authors of the Lazarus Ransomware. Such con actors deliver on their promises rarely even if the users pay up the ransom fee required. This is why it is far safer to trust a reputable anti-virus ap-plication to remove the Lazarus Ransomware from your computer and ensure your safety in the future.