'.aaa File Extension' Ransomware
Threat Scorecard
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecard
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards are assessment reports for different malware threats which have been collected and analyzed by our research team. EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards evaluate and rank threats using several metrics including real-world and potential risk factors, trends, frequency, prevalence, and persistence. EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards are updated regularly based on our research data and metrics and are useful for a wide range of computer users, from end users seeking solutions to remove malware from their systems to security experts analyzing threats.
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| Threat Level: | 80 % (High) |
| Infected Computers: | 37 |
| First Seen: | January 20, 2016 |
| Last Seen: | November 28, 2022 |
| OS(es) Affected: | Windows |
The '.aaa File Extension' Ransomware is one of the several new variants of TeslaCrypt that have appeared since late 2015. Teslacrypt, which has been active since early 2015, is currently in its third version, marked as TeslaCrypt 3.0. Since late 2015, with the offering of TeslaCrypt as RaaS (Ransomware as a Service), there have been both an increase in infections involving this threat and numerous variants, including the '.aaa File Extension' Ransomware and similarly-named threats. The main improvement that threats like the '.aaa File Extension' Ransomware have over their predecessors is that a vulnerability in the threat has been fixed, which previously allowed malware researchers to extract the decryption key from the '.aaa File Extension' Ransomware infection.
The '.aaa File Extension' Ransomware variants are threatening because it is not possible to recover files that have been infected if one does not have access to the decryption key. Because of this, the best way of dealing with threats like the '.aaa File Extension' Ransomware is through preventive measures. Learning to spot these kinds of threats when they are delivered and making sure that all important files are properly backed up are the two most important measures computer users can take to prevent ransomware threats like the '.aaa File Extension' Ransomware and other TeslaCrypt variants.
How the '.aaa File Extension' Ransomware Attack Works
The main purpose of the '.aaa File Extension' Ransomware is to use AES encryption to encrypt the victim's files. After the '.aaa File Extension' Ransomware has encrypted the victim's files, it is nearly impossible to recover the files without accessing the decryption key. This is the favored approach used by most ransomware, including other variants of the '.aaa File Extension' Ransomware. Ransomware attacks have become more popular since the rise of the RaaS industry, which offers ransomware to clients that can customize the attacks and deliver them, paying a percentage of the collected ransom. The '.aaa File Extension' Ransomware attack (and most TeslaCrypt attacks) follow the process detailed below:
- The '.aaa File Extension' Ransomware may be delivered using corrupted email attachments. Other methods of distributing the '.aaa File Extension' Ransomware may include attack websites which may use exploit kits and corrupted links that will be distributed using social media spam campaigns.
- Once the '.aaa File Extension' Ransomware file has been downloaded and executed, it will scan the victim's files immediately, looking for files that have extensions matching the '.aaa File Extension' Ransomware's list of targeted files.
- Using its encryption algorithm, the '.aaa File Extension' Ransomware encrypts all files found with the corresponding extensions. The '.aaa File Extension' Ransomware only encrypts these files because, this way, the affected computer remains functional (allowing the '.aaa File Extension' Ransomware to deliver its ransom note and continue spreading), which would not be possible if the '.aaa File Extension' Ransomware encrypts the entire contents of the victim's hard drive.
- The '.aaa File Extension' Ransomware will then try to extract its ransom from the victim. To do this, the '.aaa File Extension' Ransomware will drop text files or HTML files in directories where the files were encrypted. These files will instruct computer users to contact a specific email address, and will include instructions for payment using BitCoins or other anonymous method, which may require the download and installation of TORor other anonymous browsing methods. The '.aaa File Extension' Ransomware's ransom note may also take the form of a Desktop image or Web browser pop-up windows with a threatening message. The message below has been associated numerous TeslaCrypt variants:
Your personal files are encrypted!
Your files have been safely encrypted on this PC: photos, videos, documents, etc. Click "Show Encrypted Files" button to view a complete list on encrypted files, and you can personally verify this.
Encryption was produced using a unique public key RSA-2048 generated for this computer. To decrypt files you need to obtain the private key.
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