TeslaWare Ransomware

If your security program is detecting the TeslaWare Ransomware on your computer, it will probably be detecting a variant of a RaaS (Ransomware as a Service) platform that is active online currently. Con artists can use these platforms to create custom versions of ransomware, which they can then use to attack computer users. Security experts noted that this RaaS campaign was initiated in mid-June 2017. It only costs the con artists between $40 and $80 USD to access this service and carry out effective ransomware Trojan attacks. The con artists will buy access to the TeslaWare Ransomware source code, which they can then alter and distribute using their preferred methods. There are numerous RaaS platforms active currently, all of which have created competition among threat actor's groups, and affected how typical threat infections are monetized and are being circulated currently. A free decryptor to help computer users recover from the TeslaWare Ransomware and other threats in this RaaS family is available and can be downloaded currently.

What is the Goal of the TeslaWare Ransomware and its Variants

The TeslaWare Ransomware will identify the files it corrupts in its attack by adding the file extension '.Tesla' to the end of each affected file's name. The TeslaWare Ransomware is used to attack computer users individually and is not designed to attack high-profile targets such as business networks or Web servers. The TeslaWare Ransomware will use an executable file in its attack (in contrast with more sophisticated ransomware Trojans that may use a fileless attack.)

The victims of the TeslaWare Ransomware attack may have their first contact with the threat after they open an unsolicited email message and attachment. These attachments may be Microsoft Word files with enabled macro scripts that download and install the TeslaWare Ransomware if the victim allows the macro to be executed. Once the TeslaWare Ransomware enters a computer, it will start encrypting all files on the infected computer, local drives, and shared network drives. The TeslaWare Ransomware will avoid files with the following file extensions:

SYS, .DLL, .EXE, .TESLA, .INK

This allows Windows to continue to operate (so that the victim can pay the ransom) but will encrypt most of the victim's data and user-generated files. This is similar to other ransomware Trojans that encrypt the victim's files but avoid the Windows system folders specifically.

How the TeslaWare Ransomware Demands the Payment of Its Ransomware

Once the TeslaWare Ransomware encrypts the victim's files, the TeslaWare Ransomware will display a ransom note, demanding the payment of a ransom from the victim. The TeslaWare Ransomware displays the following ransom note on the victim's computer, in the form of a pop-up program window:

'All of your important files have been encrypted.
To decrypt them you need to obtain the private key from us.
We are the only who can provide you the key,so don't try to recover the files by yourself,it will only make the situation worse for you.
To get this key you have to send 100$ worth of bitcoins to the address that you can see in the left.For more info please check the links
After payment,please paste the TX ID and press "Check".If our system detected the payment as succesfull,your files will be decrypted and you will use your pc as nothing happened.
Send exactly 0.0133753 here:
[BITCOIN ADDRESS]'

Since the TeslaWare Ransomware is part of a RaaS attack, different things can occur in a TeslaWare Ransomware attack, depending on the custom modifications made by the con artists to their specific variant of the TeslaWare Ransomware. For example, the TeslaWare Ransomware may appear with a new ransom note, encrypt different file types, or demand the payment of a different ransom amount. Some variants of the TeslaWare Ransomware also may delete files if a ransom isn't paid within a certain time frame or harass the victim in other ways.