Remove ORX-Locker – the Latest Ransomware-as-a-Service Attack

Milena Dimitrova

An inspired writer and content manager who has been with SensorsTechForum for 4 years. Enjoys ‘Mr. Robot’ and fears ‘1984’. Focused on user privacy and malware development, she strongly believes in a world where cybersecurity plays a central role. If common sense makes no sense, she will be there to take notes. Those notes may later turn into articles!

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Remember Encryptor RaaS- the ransomware-as-a-service piece that we recently discussed? In short, a RaaS will allow affiliate parties to generate income by spreading the malicious piece across the Internet. The bar of extorting money from users has been lowered once again since a new RaaS piece has been just detected in the Wild. It is dubbed ORX-Locker and is distributed via a new Darknet website.

Image Source: //blog.sensecy.com/

Ransomware-as-a-service Description

RaaS gives the opportunity to every user to generate cash without being an expert in computer technology or malware. If the victim affected, ORX-Locker pays the ransom, part of the money will go to the provider, and the rest – to the user. However, if people who wish to participate in the scheme cannot afford to buy the piece, he can acquire it without paying.

According to many malware and security researcher, the simplicity of the RaaS trend will lead to its wave of popularity. Some ransomware attacks may not be sophisticated at all, but they will be an online treat nonetheless.

ORX-Locker Technical Details

ORX was discovered on August 25 when a user (or a group of users) called ‘orxteam’ made a post about the new RaaS. The message described the ORX platform in details. Team Orx was presented as a group that provides private locker software and a RaaS platform.

This is what the forum post reads:

→Hey all we are Team ORX, and we have been around on other forums but are new here. We would like to say thanks and give back to the community by releasing out private service to the public. After a year of being very successful with our private locker software we are now releasing it to the public. We have worked hard to provide a better option to any of the other free locker services by implementing proper crypto and not including any of the major decryption flaws that some of the other services have. We will get you setup with everything you need to make fast and easy money in just a few minutes. Get other users to register using your username as a referrer and you will automatically earn 3% of every lock they get paid on.

Image Source: //blog.sensecy.com/

As visible from the post made by the cyber criminals, becoming a part of the scheme is as easy as a children’s game. To enter the Darknet website, only a simple registration is acquired – no personal details, such as an email address, are needed. Instead, a referral username should be entered. This is enough to get 3% of every successful ORX-Locker operation.

Once the user is logged in, he is presented with five sections to choose from:

Home. This is the welcome screen which displays statistics about recently locked systems, payments, money balance.

Build EXE. The process of designing a new stub is very easy. Only an ID number is needed and the ransom amount. The minimum amount defined by the ORX team is $75. After those details are entered, only the Build EXE button needs to be clicked.

Stats. As the title suggests, this section provides information about the infected systems with the particular stub, encrypted files, time of the attacks, generated income by each attack.

Wallet. This section is used to withdraw income and transfer it to a Bitcoin address.

Support. If the ‘wannabe’ cyber crook needs more information about the service, he can use this section to acquire more information. An email address is also given for support purposes.

ORX-Locker Attack and Payload

Once the ransomware is executed, it will start communicating with numerous IP addresses. According to researchers at Sensecy, some of the IPs are related to universities and other public organizations.

When activated, ORX will connect to the official TOR website and will download the TOR client. This channel is used to transmit data.

The final state of the ORX operation is, indeed, the encryption of files on the victim’s computer. Unlike other RaaS pieces, ORX is designed to lock all files on the system, changing the file extension to .LOCKED. Additionally, the original files are deleted.

Once the encryption process has finished, a message will appear on the victim’s screen stating that their files have been encrypted. An .html file with payment instructions is also created on the user’s desktop. The file contains a unique payment ID and a link to the payment page. Interestingly enough, the latter is located on the Onion network.

Image Source: //blog.sensecy.com/

Once on the website, the victim will receive more instructions on how to finalize the payment procedure.

ORX-Locker Removal Tips

If your system is attacked by ransomware, paying the ransom is not recommended. Security researchers all agree on one thing – finalizing the payment will not necessarily lead to the decryption of the files. Instead, always make sure to back up regularly your files.

We have also compiled several security tips regarding ransomware attack. However, we cannot guarantee that they will be efficient in the case of an ORX attack.

1. Start Your PC in Safe Mode to Remove ORX-Locker.

For Windows XP, Vista, 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.

For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10 systems:
Step 1: Open the Start Menu

Step 2: Whilst holding down Shift button, click on Power and then click on Restart.
Step 3: After reboot, the aftermentioned menu will appear. From there you should choose Troubleshoot.

Step 4: You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu you can choose Advanced Options.

Step 5: After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.

Step 6: Click on Restart.

Step 7: A menu will appear upon reboot. You should choose Safe Mode by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart.

2. Remove ORX-Locker automatically by downloading an advanced anti-malware program.

To clean your computer you must download an updated anti-malware program on a safe PC and then install it on the affected computer in offline mode. After that you should boot into safe mode and scan your computer to remove all ORX-Locker associated objects.

Security engineers recommend that you back up your files immediately, preferably on an external memory carrier in order to be able to restore them. In order to protect yourself from ORX-Locker (For Windows Users) please follow these simple instructions:
For Windows 7 and earlier:
1-Click on Windows Start Menu

2-Type Backup And Restore
3-Open it and click on Set Up Backup

4-A window will appear asking you where to set up backup. You should have a flash drive or an external hard drive. Mark it by clicking on it with your mouse then click on Next.

5-On the next window, the system will ask you what do you want to backup. Choose the ‘Let Me Choose’ option and then click on Next.

6-Click on ‘Save settings and run backup’ on the next window in order to protect your files from possible attacks by ORX-Locker.

For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10:
1-Press Windows button + R

2-In the window type ‘filehistory’ and press Enter

3-A File History window will appear. Click on ‘Configure file history settings’

4-The configuration menu for File History will appear. Click on ‘Turn On’. After its on, click on Select Drive in order to select the backup drive. It is recommended to choose an external HDD, SSD or a USB stick whose memory capacity is corresponding to the size of the files you want to backup.

5-Select the drive then click on ‘Ok’ in order to set up file backup and protect yourself from ORX-Locker.
Enabling Windows Defense Feature:
1- Press Windows button + R keys.

2- A run windows should appear. In it type ‘sysdm.cpl’ and then click on Run.

3- A System Properties windows should appear. In it choose System Protection.

5- Click on Turn on system protection and select the size on the hard disk you want to utilize for system protection.
6- Click on Ok and you should see an indication in Protection settings that the protection from ORX-Locker is on.

Restoring a file via Windows Defense feature:
1-Right-click on the encrypted file, then choose Properties.

2-Click on the Previous Versions tab and then mark the last version of the file.

3-Click on Apply and Ok and the file encrypted by ORX-Locker should be restored.

Milena Dimitrova

An inspired writer and content manager who has been with SensorsTechForum for 4 years. Enjoys ‘Mr. Robot’ and fears ‘1984’. Focused on user privacy and malware development, she strongly believes in a world where cybersecurity plays a central role. If common sense makes no sense, she will be there to take notes. Those notes may later turn into articles!

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