SZFLocker Ransomware
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| Threat Level: | 80 % (High) |
| Infected Computers: | 25 |
| First Seen: | July 11, 2016 |
| Last Seen: | May 25, 2022 |
| OS(es) Affected: | Windows |
The SZFLocker Ransomware infections carry out a common ransomware Trojan attack. How can computer users prevent and remove the SZFLocker Ransomware attacks from their computers? The SZFLocker Ransomware seems to be Polish in origin and is a relative newcomer to the scene of ransomware Trojans. The SZFLocker Ransomware seems to follow a typical attack pattern associated with these threats. The SZFLocker Ransomware enters a computer covertly, searching for the victim's files and encrypting them using an asymmetric encryption method. The SZFLocker Ransomware essentially takes the victim's files hostage, demanding the payment of a ransom to decrypt the files after the SZFLocker Ransomware has carried out its attack.
Table of Contents
The Changes the SZFLocker Ransomware Makes to Targeted Files
The SZFLocker Ransomware will target and encrypt a wide variety of file types that include text documents and audio and video files. The SZFLocker Ransomware adds the extension '.SZF' to each encrypted file (which is why the SZFLocker Ransomware has received its current name). This means that a file named 'text.doc' would become 'text.doc.szf' after being encrypted by the SZFLocker Ransomware. The SZFLocker Ransomware's ransom note is surprisingly brief, especially when compared with similar types of attacks. It consists of a single sentence that, when translated from the original in Polish, reads as follows:
Encrypted files. The service is available at deciphering deszyfrator.deszyfr(@)yandex.ru.
Once victims contact the email address contained in the SZFLocker Ransomware ransom note, computer users are instructed of how to pay the ransom and the extent of the attack. However, this is still a remarkably brief ransom note when compared to other attacks. PC security analysts suspect that the con artists responsible for the SZFLocker Ransomware demand a ransom of approximately $500 USD, which is about average when compared to similar attacks that are active currently.
How the SZFLocker Ransomware may be Distributed
The SZFLocker Ransomware uses a delivery method that is typical of these attacks. The SZFLocker Ransomware is treated as a Trojan Horse, which gains its name from the horse from the story of the City of Troy, which would hide soldiers inside in the same way that the SZFLocker Ransomware will hide a threatening payload disguised as an innocent file download or email attachment. The most common distribution methods for the SZFLocker Ransomware are hiding this threat inside a file download on peer-to-peer file sharing networks, or in a corrupted email attachment. In most cases, the SZFLocker Ransomware is included in an email message that is highly effective in impersonating a known institution or organization with the sole purpose of tricking inexperienced computer users into opening the attached file. Once the SZFLocker Ransomware enters the computer, it begins its attack immediately, encrypting all files matching an inventory of file extensions included in the SZFLocker Ransomware's configuration files.
Recovering from a SZFLocker Ransomware Attack
Unfortunately, it may not be possible to recover files that have been encrypted using the SZFLocker Ransomware currently. Although some decrypting utilities for these threats are available, they tend to be ineffective or only designed for one ransomware variant specifically. When dealing with these infections, the best strategy is taking preventive measures. Ensuring that the SZFLocker Ransomware cannot enter your computer by exercising caution online and using strong anti-malware software can prevent these attacks from happening in the first place. However, the best step computer users can take to become invulnerable to attacks like the SZFLocker Ransomware is to backup all files on an off-site memory device. Having a backup of all important files will make computer users invulnerable to these attacks since they can simply restore their files from the backup instead of paying the ransom. In fact, once it becomes common practice to keep backups of all files, the effect of these attacks will diminish greatly.
