cryptolocker

CryptoLocker is a type of malware known as ransomware that emerged as a significant cybersecurity threat. This malicious software infects systems through suspicious downloads, emails, or websites and then encrypts the user's documents, demanding a ransom for their recovery. It has been described as one of the most common and destructive ransomware viruses. The emergence of CryptoLocker was highlighted in 2014, with its impact extending into 2015, spreading fear among larger businesses worldwide through massive attacks and theft of thousands of confidential files. Despite the prevalence of Trojans, Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs), and other malware strains, CryptoLocker stood out as the main protagonist of cyberattacks throughout this period. The dissemination of CryptoLocker is linked to individuals active in the cybercrime community, such as Golubov, as mentioned by Shefel. The ransomware not only managed to bypass traditional antivirus defenses but also demonstrated a capacity for evolution, with copycats like CryptoWall emerging. In August 2014, Dell Secureworks Counter Threat Unit called CryptoWall "the largest and most destructive ransomware threat on the internet," noting that it had infected 635,000 systems and earned more than $1.1 million in ransom payments within its first six months. However, CryptoWall never gained the same level of notoriety as its predecessor, CryptoLocker. In response to the threat posed by CryptoLocker and similar ransomware, an international alliance named Operation Tovar was formed. This coalition included law enforcement agencies, security firms, and researchers who worked together against the Gameover ZeuS botnet and CryptoLocker ransomware. Furthermore, decryption tools were developed to help victims recover their encrypted files without paying the demanded ransom. For instance, a CryptoLocker ransom note requested users pay 2 bitcoin to unlock their devices, but with the decryption tool, they could potentially avoid this cost.