BlueHowl Ransomware
Threat Scorecard
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| Threat Level: | 80 % (High) |
| Infected Computers: | 24 |
| First Seen: | June 7, 2017 |
| Last Seen: | May 14, 2022 |
| OS(es) Affected: | Windows |
The BlueHowl Ransomware is a scareware Trojan, meant to trick inexperienced computer users while carrying out what amounts to a sophisticated prank ultimately. It is easy to confuse the BlueHowl Ransomware with real encryption ransomware Trojans, which are capable of carrying out devastating attacks on the victims' data. However, the BlueHowl Ransomware is not capable of these infections. Rather, the BlueHowl Ransomware relies on scaring computer users mainly, very similar to a past generation of threat that simply scared victims rather than causing any real damage. The BlueHowl Ransomware locks the victim's screen and then displays a message designed to trick computer users into believing that their data is encrypted. PC security analysts advise ignoring the BlueHowl Ransomware message and instructions and recovering access to your normal activities with the help of a reliable security program that is fully up-to-date.
Even the Name of the BlueHowl Ransomware Doesn't Work
The main purpose of the BlueHowl Ransomware is to take advantage of the fear of encryption ransomware Trojans, which encrypt the victims' data using a strong encryption algorithm and then display a ransom note, which demands the payment of a large ransom in exchange for the decryption key necessary to recover the affected files. However, the BlueHowl Ransomware merely delivers a ransom note and does not take the victim's files hostage or affect them in any way. The BlueHowl Ransomware will run on the infected computer with the executable file 'Ransom_BlueHowl_MR_.exe.' As part of its attack, the BlueHowl Ransomware will disable the Windows Registry Editor, Task Manager, and other utilities that can be used by computer users to bypass the BlueHowl Ransomware ransom note and lock screen. The BlueHowl Ransomware will display a large message, which takes up the entire screen, preventing computer users from bypassing the message. This message, referred as a lock screen, locks the victim out of the affected computer effectively. The BlueHowl Ransomware lock screen contains the following text:
'72:00:00
You have 72 hours to recover your files!!!
If you don't pay before 72 hours you turn off this computer, the files will be delete.
If you want to recover your files, you have to pay 0.2 Bitcoin to this address [RANDOM CHARACTERS]
You Can also pay with the QR code:
[QR CODE]
You will receive a password to decrypt your files and you will recover your files.'
The BlueHowl Ransomware's Annoying Media Content
One of the most exasperating facts about the BlueHowl Ransomware is that it loads other content apart from the lock screen. The BlueHowl Ransomware will open two instances of the Internet Explore's Web brow; one displaying a YouTube video of 'The Final Countdown' and the other displaying a payment page on a legitimate BitCoin exchange. The victim is asked to deliver the ransom payment using BitCoins to the con artists' BitCoin wallet address. The BlueHowl Ransomware also will play a mp3 file in the background, which contains a computerized male voice saying the following text:
'You have been hacked by BlueHowl. Now your files are encrypted. You have 72 hours to pay 0.2 Bitcoins or your files will be destroyed.
The combination of music, audio, and lock screen has been seen before in various ransomware tactics. They can be very effective in scaring inexperienced computer users and preventing them from reacting to the BlueHowl Ransomware infection appropriately. It is common sense that computer users should refrain from paying the BlueHowl Ransomware ransom. Fortunately, it is not difficult to remove the BlueHowl Ransomware infection and, unlike real encryption ransomware Trojans, the BlueHowl Ransomware will not affect the victim's data in any way; your files will remain intact after the BlueHowl Ransomware is removed. You can prevent the BlueHowl Ransomware lock screen from loading by starting up Windows in Safe Mode or using other alternate start-up methods. Once you regain access to your computer, any reliable security program that is fully up-to-date should be capable of removing the BlueHowl Ransomware.
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