A crypto-virus, called CryptoWire has surfaced during Autumn, 2016 and now it has resurfaced with a successor variant, calling itself UltraLocker. The virus most likely uses AES encryption algorithm to render the files of the victims no longer usable and ads a pop-up notification message in the form of a little program that notifies the victim the files are corrupted. Once those files have already been corrupted, the ransomware virus aims to perform several different activities to notify the user and give him instructions to buy 1000$ worth of bitcoins and pay them to decrypt files. In case you have become a victim of UltraLocker CryptoWire variant, we advise you not to contact the wambeng.watson@gmail.com address for decryption, but to focus on reading this article and learning how to remove UltraLocker virus and try to restore the encrypted files.
Threat Summary
| Name | UltraLocker |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Short Description | The ransomware encrypts files with the AES cipher and asks a ransom payoff for decryption. |
| Symptoms | Files are encrypted and become inaccessible. A ransom note with instructions for paying the ransom shows as a lockscreen. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, File Sharing Networks. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
| User Experience | Join our forum to Discuss CryptoWire Ransomware. |
| Data Recovery Tool | Stellar Phoenix Data Recovery Technician’s License 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. |
How Does The UltraLocker Virus Infect
Just like it’s first ransomware variant, CryptoWire uses advanced distribution techniques to spread. It may use a vast array of tools that combined together result in a successful infection.
- Malicious .js, .wsf files or JavaScript spread in URLs.
- Malicious .htm, .html, .hta and other types of files.
- Obfuscators that conceal the virus from any security programs on the computer of the victim.
- File joiners that could combine the malware with legitimate documents and execute it via malicious macros. (docx, pdf, xls, etc.)
- Malicious servers to command the operation and monitor it.
- Tools that are being used in order to assist the malware
Some or all of these tools, if combined together make for the perfect infection by UltraLocker ransomware and make it possible to spread the virus using e-mail, social media accounts and even comments on various sites that support third-party links of all character. It is even possible to become infected as a result of adware on your computer that causes the infection via malvertising you web links.
UltraLocker Ransomware – Post-Infection Actions
After infecting the computer, the UltraLocker ransomware uses an advanced combination of lockscreen notification and techniques that encrypt the files on compromised computer. To do the encryption, the virus may act in an obfuscated manner so that the user does not even notice what is happening during encryption.
First, the virus drops one or more malicious files onto crucial Windows folders, for example:
After this the UltraLocker malware may begin to inject malicious scripts in key windows services, such as:
→ schtasks.exe
vssadmin.exe
bcedit.exe
cmd.exe
rundll32.exe
In addition to this, the virus may use critical Windows processes to perform activities of it’s own interest, such as:
- To establish coms with the C&C(Command servers) belonging to the cyber-crooks.
- To execute commands that delete backups, such as the “vssadmin delete shadows” as administrator.
To begin to modify keys and registry subkeys that add values in the Windows Registry Editor. Such may be utilized to lock the screen on the compromised computer or begin encrypting files on system boot.
All of these processes add together for the preparation for the actual damage done by UltraLocker ransomware, which is to encrypt the files of the user PC, using the Advanced Encryption Standard otherwise known as AES encryption algorithm. The files which this virus targets may vary, but they all come down to the following types:
- Videos.
- Audio files.
- Pictures.
- Microsoft Office documents.
- Adobe .PDF files.
- Files associated with often used programs.
- Database files and database support files.
After the encryption is complete, the user sees the occasional decryption instructions screen:
What is also typical about the UltraLocker threat is that not only it uses AES and has a lockscreen software-like feature. The ransomware also has other capabilities, as advertised on GitHub. Here are some of those:
- It can encrypt remote drives and cloud service databases, like USB drives, OneDrive databases, Dropbox files, etc.
- It can encrypt all files, no matter the extension, besides crucial Windows files that will break Windows.
- It can avoid heuristic scans by antivirus programs.
- It can check the domain of the victim’s computer and if the computer is in an organization, increase the ransom payoff.
How To Get Rid of UltraLocker Virus and Try to Decrypt Encrypted Files
In order to successfully remove UltraLocker, it is strongly advisable to focus on removing all aspects of the virus using the instructions below. They are divided by manual and automatic removal instructions. In case you lack the sufficient experience in manual, removal, then we would recommend what experts often advise – to follow the automatic instructions and download and use an advanced anti-malware program. Such will help remove the UltraLocker ransomware swiftly and completely.
After having removed this threat, you may want to try and use the alternative tools which we have suggested and that can help you recover at least some of your files encrypted by UltraLocker. However, bear in mind that these tools in step “2. Restore files encrypted by UltraLocker” are not tested on your infection specifically and this is why you should also backup the encrypted files.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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Attention! SensorsTechForum strongly recommends that all malware victims should look for assistance only by reputable sources. Many guides out there claim to offer free recovery and decryption for files encrypted by ransomware viruses. Be advised that some of them may only be after your money.
As a site that has been dedicated to providing free removal instructions for ransomware and malware since 2014, SensorsTechForum’s recommendation is to only pay attention to trustworthy sources.
How to recognize trustworthy sources:
- Always check "About Us" web page.
- Profile of the content creator.
- Make sure that real people are behind the site and not fake names and profiles.
- Verify Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter personal profiles.
About the UltraLocker Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this UltraLocker how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific malware and restore your encrypted files.
How did we conduct the research on this ransomware?
Our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, and as such, we receive daily updates on the latest malware and ransomware definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the UltraLocker ransomware threat is backed with VirusTotal and the NoMoreRansom project.
To better understand the ransomware threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
References
1. How to Recognize Spam Emails with Ransomware
2. How Does Ransomware Encryption Work?
3. How to Decrypt Ransomware Files
4. Ransomware Getting Greedier and Bigger, Attacks Increase by 40%
5. 1 in 5 Americans Victim of Ransomware
How to Remove UltraLocker from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove UltraLocker
1. Hold Windows Key + R.
2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.
3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".
4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.
5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.
Step 2: Uninstall UltraLocker and related software from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.
2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.
3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by UltraLocker on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by UltraLocker there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.
2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.
3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Step 4: Scan for UltraLocker with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.
2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.
3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.
4. 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.
Video Guide for Automatic and Fast Removal
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by UltraLocker.
Ransomware infections and UltraLocker aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
1. Download the recommended Data Recovery software by clicking on the link underneath:
Simply click on the link and on the website menus on the top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Step 6: How to Restore Files Encrypted by Ransomware (Video Guide)
Get rid of UltraLocker from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall UltraLocker and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:
3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to UltraLocker:
4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.
5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to UltraLocker. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash
”.
6. Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference.
Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to UltraLocker. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
7. Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove UltraLocker via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:
2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:
3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as UltraLocker. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 3 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by UltraLocker.
Ransomware infections and UltraLocker aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
1. Download the recommended Data Recovery software by clicking on the link underneath:
Simply click on the link and on the website menus on top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
UltraLocker FAQ
What is UltraLocker ransomware and how does it work?
UltraLocker is a ransomware infection - the malicious software that enters your computer silently and blocks either access to the computer itself or encrypt your files.
Many ransomware viruses use sophisticated encryption algorithm how to make your files inaccessible. The goal of ransomware infections is to demand that you pay a ransom payment to get access to your files back.
How does UltraLocker ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.UltraLocker Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing e-mails, containing virus attachment.
This attachment is usually masked as an important document, like an invoice, bank document or even a plane ticket and it looks very convincing to users.
After you download and execute this attachment, a drive-by download occurs and your computer is infected with the ransomware virus.
Another way, you may become a victim of UltraLocker is if you download a fake installer, crack or patch from a low reputation website or if you click on a virus link. Many users report getting a ransomware infection by downloading torrents.
How to open .UltraLocker files?
You can't. At this point the .UltraLocker files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted.
Decryptor did not decrypt my data. What now?
Do not panic and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your .UltraLocker files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by UltraLocker ransomware is to use a decryptor for it. But since it's a new virus, advised that the decryption keys for it may not be out yet and available to the public. We will update this article and keep you posted as soon as this decryptor is released.
How Do I restore ".UltraLocker" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .UltraLocker files.
These methods are in no way 100% guarantee that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How do I get rid of UltraLocker ransomware virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti malware software. It will scan for and locate UltraLocker ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .UltraLocker files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like UltraLocker ransomware also install Trojans and keyloggers that can steal your passwords and accounts. Scanning your computer with an anti-malware software will make sure that all of these virus components are removed and your computer is protected in the future.
What to Do If nothing works?
There is still a lot you can do. If none of the above methods seem to work for you, then try these methods:
- Try to find a safe computer from where you can can login on your own line accounts like One Drive, iDrive, Google Drive and so on.
- Try to contact your friends, relatives and other people so that they can check if they have some of your important photos or documents just in case you sent them.
- Also, check if some of the files that were encrypted it can be re-downloaded from the web.
- Another clever way to get back some of your files is to find another old computer, a flash drive or even a CD or a DVD where you may have saved your older documents. You might be surprised what will turn up.
- You can also go to your email account to check if you can send any attachments to other people. Usually what is sent the email is saved on your account and you can re-download it. But most importantly, make sure that this is done from a safe computer and make sure to remove the virus first.
More tips you can find on our forums, where you can also asks any questions about your ransomware problem.
How to Report Ransomware to Authorities?
In case your computer got infected with a ransomware infection, you can report it to the local Police departments. It can help authorities worldwide track and determine the perpetrators behind the virus that has infected your computer. Below, we have prepared a list with government websites, where you can file a report in case you are a victim of a cybercrime:
Cyber-security authorities, responsible for handling ransomware attack reports in different regions all over the world:
- Germany - Offizielles Portal der deutschen Polizei
- United States - IC3 Internet Crime Complaint Centre
- United Kingdom - Action Fraud Police
- France - Ministère de l'Intérieur
- Italy - Polizia Di Stato
- Spain - Policía Nacional
- Netherlands - Politie
- Poland - Policja
- Portugal - Polícia Judiciária
- Greece - Cyber Crime Unit (Hellenic Police)
- India - Mumbai Police - CyberCrime Investigation Cell
- Australia - Australian High Tech Crime Center
Reports may be responded to in different timeframes, depending on your local authorities.
