Experts of F-secure Warn that Browlock Ransomware Currently Targeting Russian Users

Researchers of security firm F-Secure says that Browlock, a popular ransomware which blocks browsers to trick users in paying penalties and helping cyber crooks to make hefty profit, might not be very hard to be remove when compared to other ransomware software.

According to experts of the security vendor, the ransomware has now begun attacking Internauts in Russia.

Researchers at F-Secure observe that if some unfortunate users visit a Browlock website due to some causes, they end up seeing "lock page".

The page appears to be written well in Russian and purports to be from the Ministry of Russian Federation Internal Affairs (Police Ministry).

The page informs the visitor that the Ministry has discovered his PC being used for wrong and unlawful activities like watching materials related to violence, gay pornography and pedophilia.

Such activities are forbidden by law and will attract a penalty of 800 to 4000 Rubles. The victim is asked to pay 1000 rubles and if he refuses to pay then he is threatened that all the materials about illegal activities will be mailed to the Prosecutor's Office for commencing criminal proceedings. Also Police will be dispatched to his house to apprehend him and all this will be done in accordance with the law.

He is asked to pay the penalty within twelve hours and the fine can be paid through any mobile terminal.

He is told that he will be given a confirmation of payment and an unlocking code on receipt of payment.

The message is displayed many times on the monitor and as accords to security pundits it's a long dialog box. It has an 'OK' button but users can't have a glimpse of it as it is outside the screen. However, the alert disappears on pressing the ENTER key and you can resume browsing.

The security firm concluded that researchers of F-Secure have tested and found that browser locker presently only works on Google Chrome.

However, if anyone feels that his system has been hit by the above discussed ransomware or fake anti-virus of similar type he should scan his computer with the latest updated version of anti-virus software, experts at the security firm suggest.

» SPAMfighter News - 5/8/2014