Analyst: Despite FBI claims, Cryptolocker still a threat
The dreaded Cryptolocker virus is still a threat, says Tyler Moffitt, a threat research analyst at security firm Webroot.
Cryptolocker is one of the most infamous recent forms of "ransomware" to have infected PC's. It locks access to files, demanding a ransom payment of bitcoins to restore access. Understandably, Bitcoin Bitcoin While some may still be wondering what is Bitcoin, who created Bitcoin, or how does Bitcoin work, one thing is certain: Bitcoin has changed the world.No one can remain indifferent to this revolutionary, decentralized, digital asset nor to its blockchain technology.In fact, we’ve gone a long way ever since a Florida resident Laszlo Hanyecz made BTC’s first official commercial transaction with a real company by trading 10,000 Bitcoins for 2 pizzas at his local Papa John’s.One could now argue that While some may still be wondering what is Bitcoin, who created Bitcoin, or how does Bitcoin work, one thing is certain: Bitcoin has changed the world.No one can remain indifferent to this revolutionary, decentralized, digital asset nor to its blockchain technology.In fact, we’ve gone a long way ever since a Florida resident Laszlo Hanyecz made BTC’s first official commercial transaction with a real company by trading 10,000 Bitcoins for 2 pizzas at his local Papa John’s.One could now argue that Read this Term is a preferred method of payment in order to grant anonymity to the attacker. Tor, which can make transactions somewhat anonymous, is another method.
In one string of infections, Israeli victims reached out to a local Bitcoin Exchange Exchange An exchange is known as a marketplace that supports the trading of derivatives, commodities, securities, and other financial instruments.Generally, an exchange is accessible through a digital platform or sometimes at a tangible address where investors organize to perform trading. Among the chief responsibilities of an exchange would be to uphold honest and fair-trading practices. These are instrumental in making sure that the distribution of supported security rates on that exchange are effectiv An exchange is known as a marketplace that supports the trading of derivatives, commodities, securities, and other financial instruments.Generally, an exchange is accessible through a digital platform or sometimes at a tangible address where investors organize to perform trading. Among the chief responsibilities of an exchange would be to uphold honest and fair-trading practices. These are instrumental in making sure that the distribution of supported security rates on that exchange are effectiv Read this Term to buy the bitcoins they desperately needed. The exchange reportedly took the liberty to waive fees and notify police on their behalf.
In a blog post titled "Cryptolocker is not dead", Moffitt says that FBI claims of having neutralized the virus are dubious. The FBI previously claimed that "Cryptolocker has been neutralized by the disruption and cannot communicate with the infrastructure used to control the malicious software.” Moffitt explains:
“The reason why this claim should be scrutinized is because it is only the samples dropped on victims computers that communicated to those specific servers seized that are no longer a threat. All samples currently being deployed by different botnets that communicate to different command and control servers are unaffected by this siege…”
Malware authors can simply "rent" space from other botnet servers, and there are plenty available.
In addition, Moffitt says that malware authors have since built viruses more advanced than Cryptolocker, such as CryptoWall, New CryptoLocker, DirCrypt and CryptoDefense.
He points to several examples of Cryptolocker or its variant's continued attacks. He also discussed some best practices on how to cope with them if you fall prey.
The dreaded Cryptolocker virus is still a threat, says Tyler Moffitt, a threat research analyst at security firm Webroot.
Cryptolocker is one of the most infamous recent forms of "ransomware" to have infected PC's. It locks access to files, demanding a ransom payment of bitcoins to restore access. Understandably, Bitcoin Bitcoin While some may still be wondering what is Bitcoin, who created Bitcoin, or how does Bitcoin work, one thing is certain: Bitcoin has changed the world.No one can remain indifferent to this revolutionary, decentralized, digital asset nor to its blockchain technology.In fact, we’ve gone a long way ever since a Florida resident Laszlo Hanyecz made BTC’s first official commercial transaction with a real company by trading 10,000 Bitcoins for 2 pizzas at his local Papa John’s.One could now argue that While some may still be wondering what is Bitcoin, who created Bitcoin, or how does Bitcoin work, one thing is certain: Bitcoin has changed the world.No one can remain indifferent to this revolutionary, decentralized, digital asset nor to its blockchain technology.In fact, we’ve gone a long way ever since a Florida resident Laszlo Hanyecz made BTC’s first official commercial transaction with a real company by trading 10,000 Bitcoins for 2 pizzas at his local Papa John’s.One could now argue that Read this Term is a preferred method of payment in order to grant anonymity to the attacker. Tor, which can make transactions somewhat anonymous, is another method.
In one string of infections, Israeli victims reached out to a local Bitcoin Exchange Exchange An exchange is known as a marketplace that supports the trading of derivatives, commodities, securities, and other financial instruments.Generally, an exchange is accessible through a digital platform or sometimes at a tangible address where investors organize to perform trading. Among the chief responsibilities of an exchange would be to uphold honest and fair-trading practices. These are instrumental in making sure that the distribution of supported security rates on that exchange are effectiv An exchange is known as a marketplace that supports the trading of derivatives, commodities, securities, and other financial instruments.Generally, an exchange is accessible through a digital platform or sometimes at a tangible address where investors organize to perform trading. Among the chief responsibilities of an exchange would be to uphold honest and fair-trading practices. These are instrumental in making sure that the distribution of supported security rates on that exchange are effectiv Read this Term to buy the bitcoins they desperately needed. The exchange reportedly took the liberty to waive fees and notify police on their behalf.
In a blog post titled "Cryptolocker is not dead", Moffitt says that FBI claims of having neutralized the virus are dubious. The FBI previously claimed that "Cryptolocker has been neutralized by the disruption and cannot communicate with the infrastructure used to control the malicious software.” Moffitt explains:
“The reason why this claim should be scrutinized is because it is only the samples dropped on victims computers that communicated to those specific servers seized that are no longer a threat. All samples currently being deployed by different botnets that communicate to different command and control servers are unaffected by this siege…”
Malware authors can simply "rent" space from other botnet servers, and there are plenty available.
In addition, Moffitt says that malware authors have since built viruses more advanced than Cryptolocker, such as CryptoWall, New CryptoLocker, DirCrypt and CryptoDefense.
He points to several examples of Cryptolocker or its variant's continued attacks. He also discussed some best practices on how to cope with them if you fall prey.