The History And Development Of TeslaCrypt Ransomware
TeslaCrypt is a ransomware program that encrypts files that targets all Windows versions including Windows Vista, Windows XP and Windows 7. The program was launched for the first time towards the February's end. When it is infected on your PC, TeslaCrypt will search for data files and encrypt them with AES encryption such that you will no longer be able to open them.
As soon as all the files that contain data on your computer have been infected, a program will be displayed that provides details on how to retrieve your files. The instructions will include an link to a TOR decryption service website. This site will give you information on the current ransom amount, the number of files that have been encrypted and how you can make payment so that your files can be released. The average ransom is $500. It is paid in Bitcoins. There is a unique Bitcoin address for each victim.
After TeslaCrypt has been installed on your computer it will generate a randomly-labeled executable within the folder named %AppData%. The executable is launched and starts to look through your drive letters on your computer for files to encrypt. It then adds an extension the name of the file and then encrypts any supported data files it locates. This name is determined by the version of the program that has affected your system. With the release of new variants of TeslaCrypt it uses different file extensions for encrypted files. TeslaCrypt currently utilizes the following extensions for encrypted files:.cccc..abc..aaa..zzz..xyz. You could use TeslaDecoder to decrypt encrypted files for free. It is, of course, dependent on the version of TeslaCrypt that's infected your files.
You should note that TeslaCrypt will look through all drive letters on your computer to identify files to encrypt. It also includes network shares, DropBox mappings, and removable drives. However, it is only able to target data files on network shares if you have the share marked as drive letters on your computer. If you haven't mapped the network share as a drive letter, the ransomware won't be able to secure the files on that network share. After scanning your computer the ransomware will erase all Shadow Volume Copies. This is to prevent you from restoring damaged files. The title of the program displayed after encryption of your computer shows the version of the ransomware.
How TeslaCrypt affects your computer
TeslaCrypt is a computer virus that can be infected if the user goes to a hacker site that has an exploit kit and outdated software. To spread this malware hackers hack websites. They install a special software program, referred to as an exploit kit. This tool aims to exploit vulnerabilities in your computer's programs. Acrobat Reader and Java are just a few of the programs that have weaknesses. When the exploit kit succeeds in exploiting the vulnerabilities on your computer, it automatically installs and launches TeslaCrypt without your knowledge.
It is crucial to ensure that Windows and all other programs are up-to date. It will protect your computer from potential vulnerabilities that could cause infection by TeslaCrypt.
This ransomware was the first of its kind to target data files utilized by PC video games actively. It targets game files for games such as MineCraft, Steam, World of Tanks, League of Legends and Half-life 2. Diablo, Fallout 3 Skyrim, Dragon Age Dragon Age, Call of Duty and RPG Maker are just a few of the games it targets. However, it hasn't been established if the game's targets increase the revenue of the malware developers.
Versions of TeslaCrypt and associated file extensions
TeslaCrypt is updated regularly to include new encryption techniques and file extensions. The initial version encrypts files that include the extension.ecc. In this scenario, encrypted files aren't associated with data files. The TeslaDecoder can also be used to retrieve the original encryption key. If the decryption keys were zeroed out, and the key was found to be partial in key.dat it's possible. The decryption key can also be found in the Tesla request to the server.
There is a different version that comes with encrypted extensions for files of .ecc and .ezz. If the decryption key was not zeroed out, one is unable to find the original key. The encrypted files can't be coupled with the data files. The Tesla request can be sent to the server using the decryption key.
For the version that has an extension file names .ezz and .exx, the original decryption key is not obtained without the authors' private key in the event that the decryption key was zeroed out. Encrypted files with the extension .exx are linked to data files. You can also request a decryption key through the Tesla server. Wnat spout
Versions with encrypted file extensions.ccc.,.abc..aaa..zzz, and.xyz do not utilize data files. The key for decryption cannot be stored on your system. It is only decrypted if the victim records the key while it is being sent to an online server. You can retrieve the encryption key by contacting Tesla. It is not possible to do this for versions that are older than TeslaCrypt v2.1.0.
TeslaCrypt 4.0 is now available
The authors released TeslaCrypt4.0 sometime in March 2016. The new version has been updated to fix a glitch that damaged files that were larger than 4GB. It also includes new ransom notes and doesn't make use of an extension for encrypted files. The absence of an extension makes it difficult for users to find out the existence of TeslaCryot and what happened to their files. The ransom notes can be used to establish paths for victims. There are no established methods to decrypt files with no extension, without a purchased decryption keys or Tesla's private key. The files can be decrypted if a victim has captured the key while it was transmitted to the server during encryption.
