UpdateHost Ransomware
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| Threat Level: | 100 % (High) |
| Infected Computers: | 197 |
| First Seen: | February 9, 2017 |
| Last Seen: | May 3, 2023 |
| OS(es) Affected: | Windows |
The UpdateHost Ransomware is a ransomware Trojan that was first observed in February 2017. The UpdateHost Ransomware is a significant threat to computer users. Like other ransomware Trojans, the UpdateHost Ransomware is designed to take over the victims' computers specifically, preventing them from accessing their files as normal. The UpdateHost Ransomware and other ransomware Trojans carry out attacks where access to the victim's computer or files is blocked in some way, through a lock screen or by encrypting the victim's files. Then the victims are asked to pay a ransom to regain access to their own device. Computer users should take precautions to ensure that their computers are protected against the UpdateHost Ransomware and similar ransomware Trojans.
Table of Contents
The UpdateHost Ransomware Uses a Common Method to Attack a Computer
The UpdateHost Ransomware has been carrying out attacks against computer users, although it is still unknown where the UpdateHost Ransomware came from or how it is being distributed. However, due to the high volume of ransomware Trojans that are being carried out currently, it is likely that the UpdateHost Ransomware carries out an attack strategy and pattern similar to other ransomware Trojans in the wild. The files encrypted by the UpdateHost Ransomware can be recognized easily because their extension will be changed to '.locked,' a characteristic that has been seen in numerous other ransomware Trojans that are active currently. The UpdateHost Ransomware encrypts the victims' files using a strong encryption algorithm. The exact ransom that the UpdateHost Ransomware demands from its victims varies from one instance to another.
How the UpdateHost Ransomware Carries out Its Attack
The most likely culprit for the UpdateHost Ransomware distribution involves the use of corrupted spam email attachments that may be included in spam campaigns that use social engineering tactics or phishing email messages to trick computer users into opening threat email attachments. However, the UpdateHost Ransomware also may be distributed through corrupted advertisements and scripts inserted into certain websites or by hacking into the victim's computers directly. The UpdateHost Ransomware also may be known as 'HostFile' and belong to a large family of ransomware Trojans based on the Hidden Tear ransomware engine. This is an open source ransomware engine released in 2016 that has been responsible for countless ransomware attacks in the wild.
The following are some of the file types that the UpdateHost Ransomware will encrypt during its attack:
.7z, .asp, .aspx, .csv, .doc, .docx, .html, .jpg, .mdb, .odt, .php, .png, .ppt, .pptx, .psd, .rar, .sln, .sql,.txt, .xls, .xlsx, .zip.
How to Prevent the UpdateHost Ransomware Attacks
Since the encryption method used by the UpdateHost Ransomware and other Hidden Tear variants is strong and nearly impossible to decrypt without the decryption key, the best measure to deal with the UpdateHost Ransomware and similar ransomware Trojans is through preventive measures. Computer users should ensure that their computers are protected against threats like the UpdateHost Ransomware and, in the event of an attack, the damage can be limited.
Since the most common way of distributing threats like the UpdateHost Ransomware is through the use of spam email campaigns, PC security analysts strongly advise computer users to make sure that all email is handled with caution, even if the email attachment appears to come from a friend or a trusted email contact (whose email address may have been spoofed or compromised in some other way). This is especially important in businesses and organizations, which may be the prime targets for ransomware creators and distributors. A reliable security program that is fully up-to-date should also be used to intercept the UpdateHost Ransomware attacks before they cause any damage. However, the best way that computer users can protect their data from the UpdateHost Ransomware and similar attacks is by backing up all files on an external memory device or the cloud. Having file backups will make a computer completely invulnerable to attacks like the UpdateHost Ransomware since the files can be recovered quickly from the backup copy in the event of an attack.
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