RANSOM_HOWLLOCK.A
Gen:Variant.MSILPerseus.112477 (Bitdefender); MSIL/Hoax.FakeFilecoder.V application (NOD32); Gen:Variant.MSILPerseus.112477 (MicroWorld-eScan)
Windows
![](/vinfo/imgFiles/legend.jpg)
Threat Type: Ransomware
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: No
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
This Ransomware arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Arrival Details
This Ransomware arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.
Installation
This Ransomware drops and executes the following files:
- %User Temp%decrypter.exe
(Note: %User Temp% is the user's temporary folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.)
Process Termination
This Ransomware terminates the following processes if found running in the affected system's memory:
- Taskmgr.exe
- explorer.exe
- iexplore.exe
- chrome.exe
- skype.exe
Other Details
This Ransomware does the following:
It displays a window that shows a timer and fake ransom note:
It opens the decryptor.exe which displays a message box:
SOLUTION
Step 1
Before doing any scans, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 users must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of their computers.
Step 2
Note that not all files, folders, and registry keys and entries are installed on your computer during this malware's/spyware's/grayware's execution. This may be due to incomplete installation or other operating system conditions. If you do not find the same files/folders/registry information, please proceed to the next step.
Step 3
Restart in Safe Mode
Step 4
Search and delete this file
- %User Temp%decrypter.exe
Step 5
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as RANSOM_HOWLLOCK.A. If the detected files have already been cleaned, deleted, or quarantined by your Trend Micro product, no further step is required. You may opt to simply delete the quarantined files. Please check this Knowledge Base page for more information.
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