VaultCrypt

By GoldSparrow in Ransomware

Threat Scorecard

Threat Level: 100 % (High)
Infected Computers: 950
First Seen: March 20, 2015
Last Seen: May 2, 2022
OS(es) Affected: Windows

VaultCrypt is a ransomware infection that may cause computer users to lose access to their files. VaultCrypt uses the RSA 1024 encryption method to encrypt victims' files. Once these have been encrypted, VaultCrypt demands payments of a ransom to restore the encrypted files. VaultCrypt's ransom is one Bitcoin, which is currently worth around $300 USD. This is an anonymous cryptocurrency that allows these third parties to profit at the expense of computer users while remaining unidentified.

One of the reasons why VaultCrypt is particularly threatening is because VaultCrypt is a sophisticated work of threats that has been quite effective at encrypting victims' files. The payment website associated with VaultCrypt is well built and seems quite professional. Similar encryption ransomware infections will drop text files or other similar ransom notes on the victim's computer to explain the situation and demand payment. VaultCrypt uses a slightly different method. It appears that VaultCrypt will change the encrypted files' extension, appending .vault to the end of each file's name. When these files are opened, a pop-up message appears claiming that the file was 'Stored in Vault.' VaultCrypt's message directs computer users to the payment website in order to obtain the decryption key. To make this pop-up message appear, VaultCrypt makes changes to the infected computer's registry. By altering the Windows Registry, VaultCrypt can make Windows display the pop-up error message every time a .vault file is opened. VaultCrypt will encrypt Microsoft Office documents, image files, database files and archives in ZIP format.

The VaultCrypt Payment Infrastructure and Methods

The VaultCrypt website is well built and, unfortunately, could well pass for the website for any large business. It is evidence of how effectual and lucrative strategies like VaultCrypt are when third parties establish Web pages with fake news, chat and customer support for their victims. VaultCrypt establishes a deadline for payment. In most cases, VaultCrypt threatens computer users, claiming that if the ransom is not paid within a week, the files will be eliminated. In fact, after the week, the amount the victim has to pay is increased. Malware researchers strongly advise against paying VaultCrypt's ransom, although computer users may not have a choice if an irreplaceable file was encrypted.

Backing up Your Files is Your Best Protection against VaultCrypt

The reason threat attacks like VaultCrypt are so effective is that most computer users are not particularly careful when it comes to backing up their files. In fact, if most computer users would backup their files regularly on an external drive or cloud encryption threat attacks like VaultCrypt would virtually disappear. Although earlier forms of encryption threats did not affect the Shadow Volume or System Restore (meaning that encrypted files could be recovered using these types of methods), VaultCrypt and newer attacks have become more sophisticated, also targeting these components to ensure that victims have no recourse but to pay for the encryption key. Because of this, PC security researchers strongly stress the importance of backing up all files regularly. This way, you will also not finance these third parties' operations by allowing them to continue producing threats like VaultCrypt.

VaultCrypt attacks can also be prevented using strong security measures. PC security researchers strongly advise computer users to use a reliable security program that is fully up-to-date to protect your computer at all times. However, security software is useless if it is not active and if it is not up-to-date. Many computer users may disable their security software when downloading files to increase the download speed or when gaming online to improve their latency. Doing this is a bad idea. Malware researchers also advise browsing the Web safely, avoiding shady websites and unknown links or file attachments.

SpyHunter Detects & Remove VaultCrypt

File System Details

VaultCrypt may create the following file(s):
# File Name MD5 Detections
1. VAULT.hta 207f6a7cf5933e00b575c7243ebef2f1 83
2. VAULT.hta 1cf60361078e1c2f1219d27c4b3e760c 79
3. VAULT.hta c7e7c1a8ebd606638b7e89dc0daef677 72
4. VAULT.hta a4e778c80f2fb7a12253070aaedceb1d 42
5. VAULT.hta 50ce889104fb97f0ce64108e91a14dba 34
6. VAULT.hta f2ad12c745bb55e0a3600fe1b47eb72d 32
7. VAULT.hta 99f8ac62c7e84cb5ea0e43004555b800 30
8. VAULT.hta 10196fbf29c1dc6916633dc1ee71ed8d 30
9. VAULT.hta fc397b0266aec242714194bdf4938831 25
10. VAULT.hta 520002e0fb095fea87c5c9e1bcaff90f 22
11. VAULT.hta 9340624438179b75aeafee270259684b 22
12. VAULT.hta 8d6277f6c65e31272c4af4058d68d986 18
13. VAULT.hta e1fb0534c3edd45eed7bf29e61110723 12
14. VAULT.hta 7145e1cefed8cea6ded086dc888e95a5 12
15. VAULT.hta 220c94d6f9537e00ed18ffa2609da9a9 12
16. VAULT.hta 030dce1d07f9de6d8facb42d879a3405 10
17. VAULT.hta d4b7e4b65820162201a4eb151ffc1287 9
18. VAULT.hta c0b1e17fea1244fa5d996aa7493c4957 9
19. VAULT.hta 38bafa10b0151b7121b2f51e9bbedca8 9
20. VAULT.hta 0bd2e3e16476704b5f1ebd7dfee21e2e 7
21. VAULT.hta 0fd543248a2eea14e74f5a9c281fc8ee 6
22. VAULT.hta 3f0f572625cc70b281491875242ab391 6
23. VAULT.hta 86e51c7b49f33386712197164a65dac0 5
24. VAULT.hta d300125d32bac2c1db6045e8365d06cf 3
25. VAULT.hta c478ef858ae078f68520cd5493d52c78 1
26. VAULT.hta 29754b1e157b7e2658fee20546f1385e 1
27. VAULT.hta 1a4912c6623aaf08ae00e19e839c2e6c 1
More files

Registry Details

VaultCrypt may create the following registry entry or registry entries:
Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\vltexec
Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\vltnotify

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