CLock.Win32 Ransomware

The CLock.Win32 Ransomware is a Trojan that takes the victim's computer hostage, although it does not encrypt the victim's files. The CLock.Win32 Ransomware belongs to a category of ransomware that was quite popular in the last decade, blocking access to victim's computers. Ransomware designed to encrypt the victim's files became the most popular attack method for con artists gradually, but PC security analysts are still uncovering screen lockers by the CLock.Win32 Ransomware every day. A resurgence of these infections, which may include the CLock.Win32 Ransomware may be due to the fact that computer users have become accustomed to more threatening types of ransomware, expecting the CLock.Win32 Ransomware attack (or another low-level ransomware attack) to be a lost cause rather than the relatively simple-to-remove threat that it is. The CLock.Win32 Ransomware is being distributed by using corrupted spam email attachments. One such corrupted email has been detected by PC security analysts using the name 'LOIC2 - Even Better.exe' for the corrupted file. LOIC, or Low Orbit Ion Cannon, is an attack application that is used to carry out Denial of Service attacks, as well as test networks for stress.

How the CLock.Win32 Ransomware Carries out Its Attack on the Victim’s PC

The main method of attack that the CLock.Win32 Ransomware uses is to block access to the infected computer. The CLock.Win32 Ransomware disables keyboard shortcuts and prevents computer users from accessing the Registry Editor, the Task Manager, the Desktop or the Command Prompt. The CLock.Win32 Ransomware displays a lock screen that contains the message below:

'You have been infected with CLock.
please pay $20 USD thru paypal.
minecakepvp@gmail.com'

Seeing the use of PayPal and Gmail in associated with ransomware attacks is very rare. This is because these companies do work in conjunction with law enforcement around the world to stop con artists. This, and the simplicity of the CLock.Win32 Ransomware attack, makes it likely that the people responsible for the CLock.Win32 Ransomware attack are quite inexperienced rather than a well-organized illicit operation.

Dealing with a CLock.Win32 Ransomware Infection

Fortunately, the CLock.Win32 Ransomware can be removed easily by starting up Windows in Safe Mode or through an alternative boot method. This allows Windows to start up without loading the CLock.Win32 Ransomware threat. Computer users can then simply remove the CLock.Win32 Ransomware infection with the help of a reliable security program that is fully up-to-date. Fortunately for computer users, the CLock.Win32 Ransomware does not use an encryption algorithm to encrypt the victim's files during its attack. This means that simply removing the CLock.Win32 Ransomware infection itself, after bypassing it during start-up, will be enough to rid yourself of the CLock.Win32 Ransomware threat. This is one of the reasons why ransomware Trojans with encryption functions had overtaken these screen lockers in popularity for these attacks. In the case of encryption ransomware Trojans, the victim's files would remain compromised even if the ransomware component was removed from the infected computer, making these attacks harder to deal with substantially than attacks like the CLock.Win32 Ransomware.

How to Prevent a CLock.Win32 Ransomware Infection

Since the CLock.Win32 Ransomware may be distributed using corrupted spam email messages, users should learn how to use emails and access email attachments safely. This alone can be enough to prevent the vast majority of ransomware Trojans active today. Computer users are strongly advised to avoid opening unsolicited email attachments, consulting personally with the sender or through a telephone call or other alternative method before opening a suspicious email attachment. Reliable security software should also be used to intercept threats like the CLock.Win32 Ransomware before it manages to install itself on the victim's computer. Having some protection method, such as an anti-spam filter, can ensure that corrupted email messages designed to deliver this content, do not end up in the victim's email inbox. All of these measures, taken together, can reduce the chances of being infected with threats like the CLock.Win32 Ransomware drastically.