ViluciWare Ransomware

The ViluciWare ransomware is one such crypto-locking virus that can affect any computer at any time.

What is ViluciWare?

ViluciWare is a malicious piece of software considered by experts to be ransomware. The virus is designed to prevent users from accessing their system. The virus was discovered by JAMESWT. The virus combines both a screenlocker and ransomware into a single malicious program.

What Does ViluciWare Do?

It encrypts all files on the system, modifies their file names so they can’t be accessed, and then locks the computer screen. The calling card for ViluciWare is the ".locked" file extension, which is applied to all infected files. This trick renders files worthless for users. If a victim attempts to open the file, the virus loads up a ransom note scaring victims into paying money to get their data back.

The ransom note contains instructions on how to contact the attackers. Victims are told to contact “Imminent #0001” on Discord for further details. Once contacted, the scammers will ask users to pay a certain amount of money in cryptocurrency to get the decryption key/software needed to bring their files back to normal.

Attackers also threaten that if the money isn’t paid within a set amount of time, then the data will be deleted permanently. The only reason for the virus to exist in the first place is to generate an illegal profit for attackers by making victims pay for their files.

Here is a closer look at what the ransom note says:

ViluciWare

You have been taken by the viluci!

all your files have been encrypted to unencrypt add Imminent #0001 on discord to get your files and pc back

Should You Pay the Ransom?

Security experts strongly recommend against paying the hackers the ransom they demand. There is no guarantee that they will send you the decryption key to get your data back, or that any key you receive will even work. Most of the time, ransomware victims don’t get any decryption keys at all and lose their money as well as their data.

What you should do instead of paying the ransom is to take steps to remove the ViluciWare virus as soon as possible. While the encryption won’t be undone because you remove the virus, it will prevent further encryption. After doing that, you can use a data backup to get your lost files back. You’ll likely have to rely on data backups because ransomware is known to remove Shadow Volume Copies of data – the copies that Windows uses to create and restore backups.

How Did ViluciWare Get On My Computer?

Malicious programs like this are typically distributed through email spam campaigns. Cybercriminals use malspam campaigns like this to send thousands of emails with malicious links and attachments to random internet users. The emails have attachments such as PDFs, documents, or archives. Users download and open the files, inadvertently installing malware in the process. You should always scrutinize any email from an unknown or untrusted source. Don’t bother interacting with spam at all, as it is not worth the risk.

How to Protect Against Ransomware Infections

One of the most important things you can do to protect against malicious programs is not to download and install software through unofficial websites and installers, third-party downloaders, and peer-to-peer networks such as torrent sites. You should always use official channels to get your software and avoid using pirated software. Illegal software is packed with “cracks” that activate the software. More often than not, these tools install malware instead of, or along with, activating the software. Programs and operating systems should be updated whenever possible, but make sure these updates come from official channels.

You should avoid interacting with website links and attachments in emails sent from suspicious and unknown addresses. There is the chance that these emails have been sent by cybercriminals to spread their malicious programs and catch you in a trap.

Last but not least, you should keep an antivirus program on your computer. Make sure this program is updated regularly with all the latest virus databases, detection, and removal methods. Be sure to run a virus scan regularly to detect infections like ViluciWare to keep your computer safe.