France Ministère de l’Intérieur Virus (Ransomware)

France Ministère de l’Intérieur Virus (Ransomware) Image

France Ministère de l'Intérieur Virus is part of a number of attacks associated with a well known ransomware Trojan often referred to as the Ukash Virus. While many of the variants of this ransomware Trojan impersonated police agencies from a number of Western European countries, ESG security researchers have observed newer variants of this malware attack that display fake messages from government departments and agencies. In the case of the France Ministère de l'Intérieur Virus, it displays a fake message from a French government agency. However, apart from this small detail, the France Ministère de l'Intérieur Virus uses the same basic scam that we have observed in numerous other variants of this dangerous ransomware attack. It is important to remember that, despite what the France Ministère de l'Intérieur Virus claims, the France Ministère de l'Intérieur Virus is not associated in any way with a legitimate government or law enforcement agency.

The France Ministère de l'Intérieur Virus scam is typical of these kinds of ransomware Trojan attacks. Usually, the France Ministère de l'Intérieur Virus will invade the victim's computer through social engineering scams. Once the France Ministère de l'Intérieur Virus has been installed on the victim's computer, the France Ministère de l'Intérieur Virus makes changes to the infected computer's settings and to the Windows Registry that allow the France Ministère de l'Intérieur Virus to run as soon as the infected computer starts up. The France Ministère de l'Intérieur Virus' payload is not sophisticated.

These kinds of malware threats are often known as Winlockers because of their payload; they block access to all components on the infected computer, effectively locking down Windows. The France Ministère de l'Intérieur Virus does this in order to blackmail the victim, claiming that a fine of one hundred Euros must be paid in order to regain control over the infected computer. Variants of the France Ministère de l'Intérieur Virus are commonly referred to as the 'Ukash Virus' because this payment is demanded through a money transfer service such as Ukash or PaySafeCard.

You should not pay the France Ministère de l'Intérieur Virus' ransom. Many computer users will pay this fine believing that it is the fastest way to regain control of the infected computer. Unfortunately, paying this ransom will not unblock your computer or remove the France Ministère de l'Intérieur Virus. Rather, it is necessary to start up the infected PC in Safe Mode or from an alternate boot source in order to remove the France Ministère de l'Intérieur Virus with a reliable anti-malware program.