Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Note! Your computer might be affected by Hucky and other threats.
Threats such as Hucky may be persistent on your system. They tend to re-appear if not fully deleted. A malware removal tool like SpyHunter will help you to remove malicious programs, saving you the time and the struggle of tracking down numerous malicious files. SpyHunter’s scanner is free but the paid version is needed to remove the malware threats. Read SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
A virus meant to infect Hungarian users, dubbed Hucky by the malware researcher Jakub Kroustek has been identified to be based on Microsoft Visual basic. The virus is very particular in it’s actions and it pretends very cleverly to be Locky ransomware, however in reality it is completely different animal. The Hucky virus even uses Locky’s ransomware message along with a padlock picture and he Locky name beneath it and even appends the .locky file extension to the encrypted files. Anyone who has been infected by this virus should know that it may not be as sophisticated and undecryptable as the original Locky virus and soon a decryptor may be released for it. In the mean time we advise reading this article to learn more about Hucky ransomware and learn how to remove the virus and try to restore your files using alternative methods.
Threat Summary
Name
Hucky
Type
Ransomware
Short Description
Based on Microsoft Visual Basic, the malware encrypts users files using a encryption algorithm, making direct decryption possible only via a unique decryption key available to the cyber-criminals.
Symptoms
The user may witness ransom notes and “instructions” and a sound message all linking to a web page and a decryptor. The file-extension .locky has been added to the encrypted files.
Distribution Method
Via an Exploit kit, Dll file attack, malicious JavaScript or a drive-by download of the malware itself in an obfuscated manner.
Windows Data Recovery by Stellar Phoenix Notice! This product scans your drive sectors to recover lost files and it may not recover 100% of the encrypted files, but only few of them, depending on the situation and whether or not you have reformatted your drive.
Hucky Virus – How It Infects
Since Hucky aims to profit primarily from Hungarian users, by taking advantage of how famous Locky ransomware has become, they may be using similar tactics to distribute the malware as well. This includes the usage of combined tools like malware obfuscators, tools that help spam the malicious infection file as well as tools that assist in masking the file as if it was legitimate.
The e-mail messages may contain convincing statements to open the attachments, such pretending to be an e-mail from a bank, an online store or even a message with no topic or body, just containing the attachment. At the moment it is not confirmed but an Exploit Kit or a JavaScript type of attack may have been used to conduct a successful and non-detected infection and download the payload of Hucky virus from it’s command and control (C&C) servers most likely based in Hungary.
Hucky Virus – More Information
There are several key differences between Hucky and the original Locky virus it is aiming to imitate. When researchers executed the virus, they have successfully managed to establish the similarity in the wallpaper it uses to the original Locky wallpaper:
The similarity is the same with a ransom note it leaves on a text file that can be opened in notepad and is named “_Adatork_visszaalitasahos_utasitasok”. What is different between Hucky virus and Locky, however is that Hucky claims to use a combination of RSA-3092 and AES-128 which may or may not be true.
Furthermore, when Hucky’s payload is dropped on an infected computer, it begins to encrypt pictures, PDF files. Microsoft Office documents and audio files and many other types of files adding the .Locky file extension to them, for example:
Hucky Ransomware – Conclusion, Removal and File Decryption
In brief the Hucky ransomware is most likely a low-quality imitation of the Locky ransomware virus, because it’s ransom instructions do not lead users to tor based pages and instead request victims to contact the e-mail address [email protected] Anyone who has been infected by this ransomware virus are strongly advised to take the necessary actions that are recommended which are to remove the virus and while waiting for decryptor to attempt other file restoration methods.
First, if you want to remove Hucky yourself, we advise you to not do it manually because it involves interference with all the Hucky’s registry values created in different subkeys as well as its malicious files and this may be risky for your files in some situations. This is why experts recommend using an advanced anti-malware software which will automatically ensure the full removal of all Hucky associated objects and detect other malware if present. Whatever your choice for removal may be, automatic or manual, we advise using our instructions below for both.
If you want to restore your files, we have also provided in step “2. Restore Files Encrypted by Hucky” alternative variants to solve this issue yourself. Bear in mind that you should try them solely at your own risk and they are not 100% guarantee to work.
Note! Your computer system may be affected by Hucky and other threats. Scan Your PC with SpyHunter SpyHunter is a powerful malware removal tool designed to help users with in-depth system security analysis, detection and removal of threats such as Hucky. Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter’s malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.
To remove Hucky follow these steps:
1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Hucky files and objects
OFFER
Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!
We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter
Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter’s malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria
Boot Your PC Into Safe Mode
1. For Windows XP, Vista and 7. 2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. Fix registry entries created by malware and PUPs on your PC.
For Windows XP, Vista and 7 systems:
1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu. 2. Select one of the two options provided below:
– For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again.
– For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system.
3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“.
4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account
While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.
Step 1: Open up the Start Menu.
Step 2: Click on the Power button (for Windows 8 it is the little arrow next to the “Shut Down” button) and whilst holding down “Shift” click on Restart.
Step 3: After reboot, a blue menu with options will appear. From them you should choose Troubleshoot.
Step 4: You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu choose Advanced Options.
Step 5: After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.
Step 6: From the Startup Settings menu, click on Restart.
Step 7: A menu will appear upon reboot. You can choose any of the three Safe Mode options by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart.
Some malicious scripts may modify the registry entries on your computer to change different settings. This is why cleaning your Windows Registry Database is recommended. Since the tutorial on how to do this is a bit long and tampering with registries could damage your computer if not done properly you should refer and follow our instructive article about fixing registry entries, especially if you are unexperienced in that area.
2. Find files created by Hucky on your PC
Find files created by Hucky
1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. 2. For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.
For Newer Windows Operating Systems
Step 1:
On your keyboard press + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.
Step 2:
Click on your PC from the quick access bar. This is usually an icon with a monitor and its name is either “My Computer”, “My PC” or “This PC” or whatever you have named it.
Step 3:
Navigate to the search box in the top-right of your PC’s screen and type “fileextension:” and after which type the file extension. If you are looking for malicious executables, an example may be “fileextension:exe”. After doing that, leave a space and type the file name you believe the malware has created. Here is how it may appear if your file has been found:
N.B. We recommend to wait for the green loading bar in the navination box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn’t found it yet.
For Older Windows Operating Systems
In older Windows OS’s the conventional approach should be the effective one:
Step 1:
Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.
Step 2:
After the search window appears, choose More Advanced Options from the search assistant box. Another way is by clicking on All Files and Folders.
Step 3:
After that type the name of the file you are looking for and click on the Search button. This might take some time after which results will appear. If you have found the malicious file, you may copy or open its location by right-clicking on it.
Now you should be able to discover any file on Windows as long as it is on your hard drive and is not concealed via special software.
Use SpyHunter to scan for malware and unwanted programs
3. Scan for malware and unwanted programs with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Scan your PC and Remove Hucky with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for Hucky and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove Hucky. Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
Step 1: Click on the “Download” button to proceed to SpyHunter’s download page.
It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.
Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.
Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.
Step 1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Malware/PC Scan’ tab. A new window will appear. Click on ‘Start Scan’.
Step 2: After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the ‘Next’ button.
Step 3: If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.
Back up your data to secure it against attacks in the future
IMPORTANT! Before reading the Windows backup instructions, we highly recommend to back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats. We recommend you to read more about it and to download SOS Online Backup.
4. Try to Restore files encrypted by Hucky
Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Hucky
Ransomware infections and Hucky aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested several alternative methods that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that these methods may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Method 1: Scanning your drive’s sectors by using Data Recovery software. Another method for restoring your files is by trying to bring back your files via data recovery software. Here are some suggestions for preferred data recovery software solutions:
Method 2: Trying Kaspersky and EmsiSoft’s decryptors. If the first method does not work, we suggest trying to use decryptors for other ransomware viruses, in case your virus is a variant of them. The two primary developers of decryptors are Kaspersky and EmsiSoft, links to which we have provided below:
To restore your data in case you have backup set up, it is important to check for Volume Shadow Copies, if ransomware has not deleted them, in Windows using the below software:
Method 4: Finding the decryption key while the cryptovirus sends it over a network via a sniffing tool.
Another way to decrypt the files is by using a Network Sniffer to get the encryption key, while files are encrypted on your system. A Network Sniffer is a program and/or device monitoring data traveling over a network, such as its internet traffic and internet packets. If you have a sniffer set before the attack happened you might get information about the decryption key. See how-to instructions below:
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
A virus meant to infect Hungarian users, dubbed Hucky by the malware researcher Jakub Kroustek has been identified to be based on Microsoft Visual basic. The virus is very particular in it’s actions and it pretends very cleverly to be Locky ransomware, however in reality it is completely different animal. The Hucky virus even uses Locky’s ransomware message along with a padlock picture and he Locky name beneath it and even appends the .locky file extension to the encrypted files. Anyone who has been infected by this virus should know that it may not be as sophisticated and undecryptable as the original Locky virus and soon a decryptor may be released for it. In the mean time we advise reading this article to learn more about Hucky ransomware and learn how to remove the virus and try to restore your files using alternative methods.
1. For Windows XP, Vista and 7.
2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.
Fix registry entries created by malware and PUPs on your PC.
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for Hucky and remove them.
Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
