NinjaLoc Ransomware

The NinjaLoc Ransomware is a screen locker, a Trojan designed to block access to the victim's computers. The NinjaLoc Ransomware is designed to mimic encryption ransomware Trojans, making the victims believe that their computers were infected with one of these threats instead of a screen locker. The NinjaLoc Ransomware was first observed on August 20, 2018, and PC security researchers advise computer users to avoid following its instructions and use a security program to remove the NinjaLoc Ransomware from an infected PC.

Some Details about Encryption Ransomware Trojans and the NinjaLoc Ransomware

Encryption ransomware Trojans are designed to take victims' files hostage by using a strong encryption algorithm to make the data inaccessible. These threats scan the victim's computer and then use AES or other strong encryption kind to encrypt the victim's files, demanding a ransom payment from the victim in exchange for the decryption key needed to restore the affected files. The NinjaLoc Ransomware delivers a ransom note demanding payment but has no encryption capabilities. The NinjaLoc Ransomware's attack is for show entirely, making the victim believe that their files were locked down completely while, in reality, the NinjaLoc Ransomware has not made any real alterations to the victim's data.

How the NinjaLoc Ransomware Infects a Computer

The NinjaLoc Ransomware delivers a threatening message to the victim. The NinjaLoc Ransomware's message claims that the victim's data was encrypted completely. However, the NinjaLoc Ransomware does not have the capacity to encrypt the victim's files (although it is possible that criminals may release follow-up versions of the NinjaLoc Ransomware that are capable of encrypting data). The NinjaLoc Ransomware functions as a screen locker, threat that blocks access to the victim's computer by displaying a full-screen message that prevents the victim from closing it. Fortunately, screen lockers are a lot simpler to deal with than encryption ransomware Trojans, which can cause permanent damage to the victim's data.

How the NinjaLoc Ransomware Carries Out Its Attack

Once the NinjaLoc Ransomware enters the victim's computer, the NinjaLoc Ransomware makes changes to the Windows Registry that allow the NinjaLoc Ransomware to run during start-up automatically. The NinjaLoc Ransomware delivers a full-screen window containing a ransom demand for the victim. The NinjaLoc Ransomware is capable of blocking the Windows Task Manager, the Registry Editor, and other components that could be used to bypass the NinjaLoc Ransomware attack. The NinjaLoc Ransomware enters the victim's computer as a result of email tactics that trick computer users into downloading and installing unsafe files. The current version of the NinjaLoc Ransomware delivers the following message, which asks the victims to make a payment to the criminals' Bitcoin wallet by claiming that the victim's files were encrypted:

'Opps All of your files have been encrypted!
JUST ENCRYPTED YOUR FILES!
[zobie-styled ninja mask]
My Bitcoin Address!
[random characters] [Copy Address!|BUTTON]
DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME ON INTERNET SEARCHING OR SOLUTION NIGGA!
NOTE:IF YOU TRY TO REMOVE THI RANSOMWARE YOU WILL LOSE ALL YOUR FILES INSTANTLY!
Enter Key to Decrypt!
[text box]
[Start Decrypting!|BUTTON]'

The NinjaLoc Ransomware also delivers a ransom note in a text file named 'HowtoDecryptYourfiles.txt,' dropped on the infected computer's desktop and documents directory.

Dealing with a NinjaLoc Ransomware Infection

Paying the NinjaLoc Ransomware ransom or contacting the criminals responsible for the attack is not recommended. Computer users ignore the message and instead remove the NinjaLoc Ransomware infection. The NinjaLoc Ransomware ransom message can be bypassed by starting up the infected computer in Safe Mode or using other alternate startup methods to prevent the NinjaLoc Ransomware ransom note from loading during start-up automatically. Since the NinjaLoc Ransomware is delivered through spam email, it is important to learn how to handle this content safely and recognize common tactics.