Xolzsec Ransomware
Threat Scorecard
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| Threat Level: | 100 % (High) |
| Infected Computers: | 54 |
| First Seen: | August 28, 2017 |
| Last Seen: | January 19, 2022 |
| OS(es) Affected: | Windows |
The Xolzsec Ransomware is an encoding Trojan that belongs to the EDA2 family of ransomware. The Xolzsec Ransomware, like most other encryption ransomware Trojans, is designed to hold the victim's files hostage until the victim pays a ransom amount. To do this, the Xolzsec Ransomware uses a strong encryption algorithm to make the victim's files inaccessible. Once the victim can no longer access the affected files, a ransomware may demand the payment of a ransom from the victim. However, in the case of the Xolzsec Ransomware, it simply displays a message mocking the computer user. These ransomware Trojans, known as trollware, are merely designed to 'troll' the computer users, to harass and mock them for no reason than to entertain the people responsible for the attack. Since the files encrypted by the Xolzsec Ransomware process are nearly impossible to recover without the decryption key, the Xolzsec Ransomware can be destructive since it does not offer the victims any way to restore the files encrypted by the attack (which might as well have been deleted since they will no longer be accessible).
Table of Contents
The Xolzsec Ransomware’s Name Honors Unskilled Con Artists
In its message, the Xolzsec Ransomware refers to 'script kiddies,' which in the programmer slang refers to people that create threats and other attacks without understanding programming, simply using pre-existing scripts. This is certainly the case of the Xolzsec Ransomware, which is based on EDA2, an open source encryption ransomware platform that has been used to create numerous encryption Trojans. The Xolzsec Ransomware was noticed in August 2017. The Xolzsec Ransomware may be delivered through spam email attachments, which may take the form of DOCX files that use embedded macro scripts to download and install the Xolzsec Ransomware onto the victim's computer. The Xolzsec Ransomware can be delivered through other means, including social media tactics and unsafe online advertisements.
How the Xolzsec Ransomware Attacks a Computer
There is nothing new about the Xolzsec Ransomware, which is virtually identical to the countless other EDA2 variants in existence currently. However, the Xolzsec Ransomware was designed merely for the entertainment of its creators and does not demand a ransom payment like most other encryption ransomware Trojans. The Xolzsec Ransomware's only purpose is to make the victim's files inaccessible due to their encryption with a strong encryption algorithm and then mocking the victims. It is possible that the Xolzsec Ransomware is a test project or an early version of a more fleshed-out threat, which could appear in September 2017. In its attack, the Xolzsec Ransomware will modify the files encrypted by the attack by adding the file extension '.xolzsec' to the end of each affected files' name. The Xolzsec Ransomware will display a colorful meme image, and the following text message after the victim's files have been encrypted:
'I Don't Know man, but you are idiots LOL
.::Author: Xolzsec - XgroupVN::.
Hi I'm Script Kiddie haha XD'
Protecting Your Data from Threats Like the Xolzsec Ransomware
If the Xolzsec Ransomware has compromised your files, there is no way to recover them. Because of this, the single most effective step you can take to ensure that your data is safe from threats like the Xolzsec Ransomware is to have file backups. Having backup copies of your files on a portable device or the cloud, then the people responsible for the Xolzsec Ransomware and other encryption ransomware Trojans cannot affect you in the long run since you can simply restore the affected files from the backups. It also is necessary to decrease the likelihood that threats like the Xolzsec Ransomware will arrive to your computer. Since one of the main distribution vectors is the use of spam email attachments, having a reliable anti-spam filter and learning how to recognize tactics and corrupted email attachments is one of the best ways to ensure that the Xolzsec Ransomware and similar threats do not enter your computer. This, coupled with a reliable security program that is fully up-to-date, is the best protection against the Xolzsec Ransomware.
