History And Evolution Of TeslaCrypt Ransomware

TeslaCrypt is an encryption program for files that targets all Windows versions including Windows Vista, Windows XP and Windows 7. This ransomware application was first released towards the end February 2015. Once it infects your computer, TeslaCrypt will search for data files and encrypt them using AES encryption such that you won't be allowed to open them.

When all files that contain data on your computer have been infected, a program will be displayed that provides information on how to recover your files. There is Webarchive.One in the instructions that will connect you to the TOR Decryption Service website. This site will give you details of the current ransom amount, the number of files that have been encrypted, and the method you can use to pay to ensure that your files can be released. The ransom amount typically starts at $500. It is possible to pay it in Bitcoins. Each customer will have a unique Bitcoin address.

After TeslaCrypt is installed on your computer , it will generate a randomly-labeled executable within the folder %AppData%. The executable launches and searches your drive letters looking for files to encrypt. It attaches an extension to the name of the file and then encodes any supported data files it locates. This name is based on the version that affected your computer. With the release of new variants of TeslaCrypt, the program uses different file extensions for encrypted files. At present, TeslaCrypt uses the following extensions: .ccc, .abc, .aaa, .zzz, .xyz, .exx, .ezz and .ecc. You can utilize TeslaDecoder to decrypt encrypted files for no cost. It, of course, depends on the version of TeslaCrypt that has infected your files.

TeslaCrypt scans every drive letter on your computer in order to find files that need to 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. If you haven't mapped the network share as a drive letter, the ransomware won't encrypt the files on that network share. After scanning your computer it will delete all Shadow Volume Copies. This prevents you from restoring damaged files. The ransomware's version is indicated by the title of the application that appears after encryption.

How TeslaCrypt is able to infect your computer

TeslaCrypt infects computers if the user visits a hacked website that is equipped with an exploit kit as well as outdated programs. Developers hack websites to distribute the malware. An exploit kit is a software program that they install. This tool aims to exploit vulnerabilities in the programs of your computer. Acrobat Reader and Java are just a couple of the programs that are vulnerable. vulnerabilities. After the exploit kit has successfully exploited the vulnerabilities in your computer it automatically installs and launches TeslaCrypt.

Therefore, you should make sure that your Windows and other installed programs are up-to-date. This will help you avoid possible security issues that could lead to the infecting of your computer with TeslaCrypt.

This ransomware was the first to target data files used by PC video games in a proactive manner. It targets game files from games such as MineCraft, Steam, World of Tanks, League of Legends, Half-life 2. Diablo, Fallout 3 Skyrim, Dragon Age Dragon Age, Call of Duty and RPG Maker are just a few of the many games it targets. It has, however, not been established whether games targets will result in increased profits for the developers of this malware.

Versions of TeslaCrypt and the file extensions associated with it.

TeslaCrypt is updated regularly to include new file extensions and encryption techniques. The first version encrypts files which include the extension.ecc. The encrypted files, in this instance, are not paired with the data files. The TeslaDecoder can also be used to recover the original encryption key. If the decryption keys were zeroed out and an incomplete key was discovered in key.dat, it is possible. You can also find the Tesla request sent directly to the server with the keys for decryption.

Another version is available with encrypted file extensions.ecc or.ezz. The original encryption key without the ransomware's authors' private key if the decryption was zeroed out. The encrypted files are also not linked to the data file. The encryption key can be downloaded from the Tesla request that was sent to the server.

The original decryption keys for the versions that have extensions file names.ezz or.exx cannot be recovered without the authors private key. If the secret key used to decrypt the data was zeroed out, it won't be possible to recover the decryption keys. Files encrypted with the extension.exx can be paired with data files. Decryption keys can also be obtained from the Tesla request to the server.

The version that is encrypted with extension of files .ccc, .abc, .aaa, .zzz and .xyz does not utilize data files, and the key to decrypt is not stored on your computer. It can only be decrypted if the victim has captured the key as it was being sent to the server. Decryption key can be retrieved from Tesla request to the server. This is not available for TeslaCrypt versions before v2.1.0.

TeslaCrypt 4.0 is now available

The authors released TeslaCrypt4.0 sometime in March 2016. A quick analysis shows that the new version has fixed a flaw that previously corrupted files bigger than 4GB. It also includes new ransom notes and doesn't require encryption files to be encrypted. The absence of an extension makes it difficult for users to discover the details of TeslaCryot and what changed to their files. With the new version, victims will have to follow the paths outlined in the ransom notes. There are little established ways to decrypt files without extension without a purchased decryption key or Tesla's personal key. The files can be decrypted if the victim took the key as it was being transmitted to the server during encryption.