Detect date
04/18/2016
Class
Trojan-Ransom
Platform
Win32

Parent class: TrojWare

Trojans are malicious programs that perform actions which are not authorized by the user: they delete, block, modify or copy data, and they disrupt the performance of computers or computer networks. Unlike viruses and worms, the threats that fall into this category are unable to make copies of themselves or self-replicate. Trojans are classified according to the type of action they perform on an infected computer.

Class: Trojan-Ransom

This type of Trojan modifies data on the victim computer so that the victim can no longer use the data, or it prevents the computer from running correctly. Once the data has been “taken hostage” (blocked or encrypted), the user will receive a ransom demand. The ransom demand tells the victim to send the malicious user money; on receipt of this, the cyber criminal will send a program to the victim to restore the data or restore the computer’s performance.

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Platform: Win32

Win32 is an API on Windows NT-based operating systems (Windows XP, Windows 7, etc.) that supports execution of 32-bit applications. One of the most widespread programming platforms in the world.

Description

This family of ransomware consists of the Cryptowall Trojan. Most infections by this family to date have occurred in the USA. Cryptowall is spread in malicious spam messages. The messages contain archives with malicious script files written in JavaScript. If the user runs the script, Cryptowall infects the computer. The script runs a downloaded program that encrypts files on the user's computer, locks the operating system welcome screen, and displays a message that the user must pay money to the attacker in order to regain access to the files. The message mocks victims by congratulating them for becoming "a part of large community CryptoWall".

Top 10 countries with most attacked users (% of total attacks)

1 USA 9.89
2 Russian Federation 7.88
3 India 6.21
4 Germany 4.67
5 Vietnam 3.95
6 France 3.66
7 Italy 3.46
8 Spain 3.41
9 Turkey 3.10
10 Brazil 2.77
* Percentage among all unique Kaspersky users worldwide who were attacked by this malware

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Find out the statistics of the vulnerabilities spreading in your region on statistics.securelist.com

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