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 SNS Locker and other threats.
Threats such as SNS Locker 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.
Malware researchers have discovered a new ransomware, calling itself SNS Locker. The new enciphering malware encrypts files with .RSNSLocked file extension and uses a strong AES-256 encryption algorithm to encode a wide variety of files on the compromised computer. The ransomware then changes the wallpaper of the user with a random scary pic, notifying him to pay money to get his files back. The ransomware asks for 0.66 bitcoins which are approximately 300$.
Threat Summary
Name
SNS Locker
Type
Ransomware
Short Description
The ransomware encrypts files with the RSA algorithm and AES cipher and asks a ransom for decryption.
Symptoms
Files are encrypted and become inaccessible. A ransom note with instructions for paying the ransom shows as Wallpaper and a notification window.
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.
SNS Locker – Distribution
Malware researcher Mosh at Nyxbone.com has researched the ransomware and has established that In order to be successfully distributed out into the open SNS Locker is believed to be spread out via an SNS Locker.exe and SNSLOcker2.exe files with the following parameters:
This executable may assume different names to be undetected manually, for example:
{random name}.exe
Svchost.exe
Notepad.exe
Your Confirmation.exe
Receipt.exe
It may be spread out via game cracks, other keygens, activators, malicious email messages sent out as spam and even by malicious links that have come up as a result of an adware causing redirects to them, such as DNS Unlocker, for example.
SNS Locker Ransomware In Detail
Researchers at Nyxbone blog have established that the SNS Locker ransomware heavily modifies the computers it infects. For starters, once executed, the ransomware connects to the following C&C(Command and Control) IP address:
→ 5.9.82.18
The address appears to be based in Germany, and after SNS Locker connects to it, it immediately sends the following information from the infected computer:
Customly generated 8 character ID of the victim. (For example – yas9yc92)
Machine name.
Username.
Public IP address.
MAC Address.
Date.
The ransomware then begins to encrypt the files of the infected computer. It is reported to look for the following file types to encode:
The discovered files are encoded immediately with two of the most powerful ciphers in the world:
AES cipher to encrypt the files on the compromised computer.
RSA algorithm to encode the public AES key which is being sent to the criminals’ IP address.
The malicious software then changes the wallpaper image of the victim user to a terrifying picture, that may look like the following:
Source:Nyxbone
After this has been done, SNS Locker may automatically open a window with the ransom note and a method to decrypt the files by paying in BitCoin. It looks like the following:
Source:Nyxbone
SNS Locker also shows the user his own unique identification number which is most likely made to help the cyber-criminals identify multiple devices easily. Along with the number there is a button which may directly transfer the user to a payment page:
Source:Nyxbone
The payment page is rather simply created. It features the bitcoin address of the cyber-criminals in an electronic invoice which the user can pay online, from distance:
Source:Nyxbone
After the funds have been paid, the user may receive a link from the malicious domain of the cyber-criminals where he or she can find his private and public keys and click on the “Decypher” button to decrypt them:
SNS Locker – Conclusion, Removal, and Decryption Alternatives
The bottom line for SNS Locker is that it is basically a highly sophisticated ransomware which aims to basify the payment method for infected users, by being more “user-friendly”. This is a very effective method and it may have already made the cyber-criminals behind SNS Locker a lot of money. Despite that, malware researchers strongly advise hopeless users NOT to pay any ransom money due to the following possibilities:
You fund the cyber-crooks to infect even more computers.
You may not get your files back 100%.
To remove this ransomware effectively from your computer, we advise following the Manual or Automatic removal steps below. Experts also advise downloading a reputable anti-malware program which will automatically take care of the SNS Locker files for you.
Regarding file restoration, be advised that we have prepared some alternative methods in step “3” below that you may try while we investigate any decrypters which are publicly released and working. As soon as there is a solution, expect an update on this article’s web page.
Note! Your computer system may be affected by SNS Locker 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 SNS Locker. 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 SNS Locker follow these steps:
1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove SNS Locker 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 SNS Locker on your PC
Find files created by SNS Locker
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 SNS Locker with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for SNS Locker and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove SNS Locker. 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 SNS Locker
Try to Restore Files Encrypted by SNS Locker
Ransomware infections and SNS Locker 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.
Malware researchers have discovered a new ransomware, calling itself SNS Locker. The new enciphering malware encrypts files with .RSNSLocked file extension and uses a strong AES-256 encryption algorithm to encode a wide variety of files on the compromised computer. The ransomware then changes the wallpaper of the user with a random scary pic, notifying him to pay money to get his files back. The ransomware asks for 0.66 bitcoins which are approximately 300$.
Source:Nyxbone
Source:Nyxbone
Source:Nyxbone
Source:Nyxbone
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 SNS Locker and remove them.
Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
