Locky follows path of its predecessor WannaCry, IT Min says beware

Bhubaneswar: While the mastermind behind the WannaCry ransomware is still at large, malware Locky has taken over systems around the world. The virus, like its predecessor, encrypts data of computers, hacks website and demands money through bitcoins to restore the data.

Meanwhile, IT Minister Chandra Sarathi Behera has asked to adopt the same preventive measures as done in case of WannaCry. He also said that no report of Locky ransomware affecting any system in State has been reported so far.

The cyber cell of Odisha Crime Branch on Saturday issued an advisory asking users to upgrade their cyber security and follow guidelines for safekeeping of their digital platforms from the deadly virus.

Highlighting the features of the ransomware, the advisory said the virus spreads through the help of spam emails containing malicious ZIP attachments.

The spam mail messages generally contain common subjects “please print”, “documents”, “photo”, “images”, “scans” and “pictures”, enticing users to click on these files. Once opened a variants of Locky ransomware get downloaded automatically on the computer and desktop background of computer changes and shows an HTM file named “Lukitus[dot]htm”.

Users are then asked to pay a ransom of 0.5 Bitcoin, which is equivalent to Rs 1.5 lakh, the advisory said, adding that if someone falls victim to the virus then they are instructed to install The Onion Router (TOR) network browser, which takes users to a decryption service.

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