Security Firm F-Secure Unearth a New Ransomware Strain ‘Trojan:HTML/Browlock’

Security researchers of security firm F-Secure have been monitoring the evolution of a relatively new section of ransomware.

Security researchers from security firm F-Secure have been monitoring the evolution of a relatively new piece of ransomware dubbed Trojan:HTML /Browlock.

Ransomware is a special malware, when installed in a machine, can be bolted down from distant locations by cyber crooks. It warns the machine's user that his machine had to be bolted due it showing illegitimate behavior and payment of compensation is necessary for accessing to files.

In case of Browlock, if users surf to a compromised site foisting the scam or click on a malicious ad, their screen gets locked with a message displayed on it. The messages appear to have come from federal authorities of victim's home country or religion including the European Cybercrime Centre and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Users are told that they have violated law by committing copyright infringement, seen or distributed child pornography or unknowingly installed a malware in their computer. They are told that to unlock their computer and to avoid prosecution, they must pay a fine of 200 pounds or $310 through an online payment site.

Initially, the ransomware targeted users only at the US, the UK and Canada but now it has been found in Australia, the Netherlands, Spain and Germany and in each country, the name of the respective country's national law enforcement agency is utilized.

F-Secure says that ransomware has been spotted on several domains but all the lock screens are hosted on a single server at saint Petesburg, Russia.

Unluckily, in excess of $5 million is being extracted from sufferers in a year. Experts note that ransomware is like any other virus infection but it can be hazardous as it can cause everlasting damage like encrypt and delete the files forever.

Moreover, it is not just F-Secure which has reported about ransomware but according to security firm Malwarebytes, much popular FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) ransomware scam has been biting Windows users since long and now started targeting Mac OSX users.

Therefore, users are advised to keep their anti-virus technology updated and never pay the miscreants behind the scams.

» SPAMfighter News - 8/23/2013