The History And Development Of TeslaCrypt Ransomware
TeslaCrypt is a ransomware program that encrypts files. program that is designed for all Windows versions, including Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 7 and Windows 8. This ransomware program was first introduced towards the end of February 2015. When it is infected on your PC, TeslaCrypt will search for data files and encrypt them using AES encryption, so that you will no longer be capable of opening them.
As soon as all the files that contain data on your computer have been infected, an application will be displayed with information on how to recover your files. There is a hyperlink in the instructions that will connect you to the TOR Decryption Service website. This site will give you information on the current ransom amount, how many files are encrypted, and how to pay so that your files are released. The ransom amount typically starts at $500. It is paid in Bitcoins. Each customer will have a unique Bitcoin address.
Once TeslaCrypt is installed on your computer, it creates an executable with a random label within the %AppData% folder. The executable starts and examines your computer's drive letters looking for files that can be encrypted. If it finds a compatible data file, it encrypts it and attaches an extension to the file's name. This name is determined by the version that has affected your system. The program now uses different file extensions to encrypt encrypted files following the release of the latest versions of TeslaCrypt. TeslaCrypt currently utilizes the following extensions for encrypted files:.cccc..abc..aaa..zzz..xyz. There is a possibility that you could use the TeslaDecoder tool to decrypt your encrypted files free of cost. It, of course, depends on the version of TeslaCrypt that is infected with your files.
TeslaCrypt searches for every drive letter on your computer to locate files that can be encrypted. It can scan network shares, DropBox mappings and removable drives. It only targets network shares data files when the network share is identified as a drive letter on your computer. The ransomware will not secure files on network shares if you don't have the network share marked as drive letter. After it has finished scanning your computer, it will delete all Shadow Volume Copies. This prevents you from restoring affected files. The application title displayed after encryption of your computer shows the version of the ransomware.
How TeslaCrypt infects your computer
TeslaCrypt can infect computers when the user visits a compromised site that has an exploit kit and outdated software. To spread this malware hackers hack websites. An exploit kit is a special software program that they install. This program aims to take an advantage of vulnerabilities found in the programs of your computer. Acrobat Reader and Java are only a few of the programs that are vulnerable. weaknesses. When the exploit kit succeeds in exploiting vulnerabilities on your computer, it then installs and launches TeslaCrypt without your knowledge.
It is crucial to ensure that Windows and all other programs are up to current. It protects you from potential vulnerabilities that could lead to the infection of your computer by TeslaCrypt.
The ransomware was the first to actively attack data files that are that are used by PC video games. It targets game files of games like Steam, World of Tanks and League of Legends. Diablo, Fallout 3, Skyrim, Dragon Age, Call of Duty, RPG Maker and many more. However, it's not been determined if games targeting gamers result in increased revenue for the malware creators.
Versions of TeslaCrypt, and the associated file extensions
TeslaCrypt is constantly updated to include new file extensions and encryption methods. The first version encrypts files that have the extension .ecc. In this instance, the encrypted files are not associated with data files. The TeslaDecoder too can be used to retrieve the original decryption key. If the decryption keys were zeroed out and a partial key was found in key.dat, it is possible. There is also the Tesla request that was sent directly to the server, along with the decryption keys.
There is a second version that has encrypted file extensions of .ecc and .ezz. One cannot recover the original decryption key without having the private key of the authors of the ransomware in the event that the encryption was zeroed out. The encrypted files cannot be coupled with the data files. minecraft servers can be sent to the server with the encryption key.
For the version that has an extension file names .ezz and .exx the original encryption key can't be obtained without the authors' private key when the decryption keys was zeroed out. Files encrypted with the extension.exx are able to be linked with data files. Decryption keys can also be obtained from the Tesla request to the server.
Versions with encrypted file extensions.ccc.,.abc..aaa..zzz, and.xyz do not use data files. The key for decryption cannot be stored on your computer. It is only decrypted when the victim captured the key while it was being sent to the server. The encryption key can be obtained from Tesla request to the server. It is not possible to do this for versions after TeslaCrypt v2.1.0.
TeslaCrypt 4.0 is now available
The authors released TeslaCrypt4.0 sometime in March 2016. A quick review indicates that the latest version has fixed a flaw that had previously caused corruption of files larger than 4GB. It also contains new ransom notes and does not require encryption files to be encrypted. It is difficult for users to learn about TeslaCryot or what occurred to their files as there is no extension. With the new version, users will need to follow paths developed through the ransom notes. There are no established methods to decrypt files with no extension without a purchased decryption keys or Tesla's private key. If the attacker captures the key while it was being transmitted to a server, the files can be decrypted.