MSIL/LockScreen.ZA

What is MSIL/LockScreen.ZA infection?

In this short article you will locate regarding the interpretation of MSIL/LockScreen.ZA and also its unfavorable impact on your computer system. Such ransomware are a form of malware that is clarified by on the internet fraudulences to require paying the ransom by a target.

In the majority of the cases, MSIL/LockScreen.ZA ransomware will certainly advise its sufferers to initiate funds move for the objective of neutralizing the amendments that the Trojan infection has actually presented to the target’s gadget.

MSIL/LockScreen.ZA Summary

These alterations can be as adheres to:

  • Executable code extraction. Cybercriminals often use binary packers to hinder the malicious code from reverse-engineered by malware analysts. A packer is a tool that compresses, encrypts, and modifies a malicious file’s format. Sometimes packers can be used for legitimate ends, for example, to protect a program against cracking or copying.
  • Creates RWX memory. There is a security trick with memory regions that allows an attacker to fill a buffer with a shellcode and then execute it. Filling a buffer with shellcode isn’t a big deal, it’s just data. The problem arises when the attacker is able to control the instruction pointer (EIP), usually by corrupting a function’s stack frame using a stack-based buffer overflow, and then changing the flow of execution by assigning this pointer to the address of the shellcode.
  • Reads data out of its own binary image. The trick that allows the malware to read data out of your computer’s memory.

    Everything you run, type, or click on your computer goes through the memory. This includes passwords, bank account numbers, emails, and other confidential information. With this vulnerability, there is the potential for a malicious program to read that data.

  • Drops a binary and executes it. Trojan-Downloader installs itself to the system and waits until an Internet connection becomes available to connect to a remote server or website in order to download additional malware onto the infected computer.
  • Unconventionial language used in binary resources: Russian;
  • Uses Windows utilities for basic functionality;
  • Attempts to repeatedly call a single API many times in order to delay analysis time. This significantly complicates the work of the virus analyzer. Typical malware tactics!
  • Installs itself for autorun at Windows startup. There is simple tactic using the Windows startup folder located at:
    C:\Users\[user-name]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\StartMenu\Programs\Startup. Shortcut links (.lnk extension) placed in this folder will cause Windows to launch the application each time [user-name] logs into Windows.

    The registry run keys perform the same action, and can be located in different locations:

    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
    • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
  • Network activity detected but not expressed in API logs. Microsoft built an API solution right into its Windows operating system it reveals network activity for all apps and programs that ran on the computer in the past 30-days. This malware hides network activity.
  • Anomalous binary characteristics. This is a way of hiding virus’ code from antiviruses and virus’ analysts.
  • Ciphering the files situated on the sufferer’s hard disk drive — so the victim can no more use the information;
  • Preventing regular access to the target’s workstation. This is the typical behavior of a virus called locker. It blocks access to the computer until the victim pays the ransom.
Similar behavior
Related domains
z.whorecord.xyz Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Crypmod.zfq
a.tomx.xyz Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Crypmod.zfq

MSIL/LockScreen.ZA

The most normal channels whereby MSIL/LockScreen.ZA Ransomware Trojans are infused are:

  • By ways of phishing e-mails;
  • As a repercussion of user winding up on a resource that holds a destructive software program;

As quickly as the Trojan is efficiently injected, it will certainly either cipher the information on the target’s PC or stop the device from working in a proper manner – while additionally placing a ransom money note that states the demand for the targets to impact the repayment for the purpose of decrypting the papers or recovering the file system back to the preliminary problem. In the majority of instances, the ransom note will certainly show up when the customer restarts the COMPUTER after the system has currently been damaged.

MSIL/LockScreen.ZA distribution channels.

In numerous corners of the world, MSIL/LockScreen.ZA expands by leaps and also bounds. Nevertheless, the ransom notes as well as methods of obtaining the ransom quantity may differ depending upon certain regional (local) setups. The ransom notes as well as methods of extorting the ransom money quantity might vary depending on certain regional (regional) setups.

Ransomware injection

As an example:

    Faulty alerts regarding unlicensed software application.

    In particular areas, the Trojans frequently wrongfully report having actually spotted some unlicensed applications allowed on the target’s device. The alert after that demands the customer to pay the ransom.

    Faulty declarations regarding illegal material.

    In nations where software program piracy is much less preferred, this technique is not as efficient for the cyber fraudulences. Conversely, the MSIL/LockScreen.ZA popup alert might falsely assert to be stemming from a police organization and also will certainly report having located child pornography or other prohibited information on the gadget.

    MSIL/LockScreen.ZA popup alert might falsely declare to be obtaining from a regulation enforcement organization as well as will certainly report having situated child porn or other illegal information on the tool. The alert will similarly contain a demand for the individual to pay the ransom money.

Technical details

File Info:

crc32: 4A434743md5: c45d5563f19e59660df6672e9371bb1fname: C45D5563F19E59660DF6672E9371BB1F.mlwsha1: ef7925ce9229c7dd7d2ac295d2c1fc3d6dce3f25sha256: 55efb03079bf297a21e4d6406775bbc0b5e015af075d4a7a44ae01e7cff82a0fsha512: a9373dc733c2a1d15c459f3ddc9543c48b0c5cdb32d88f46f86aaace4b2f6f6aa7bdb43a95c5fffc4d572bd92f07c8eff8cf43d7bb61dca76bcdb5828bf756d7ssdeep: 12288:aANwRo+mv8QD4+0V16p+tzLKUF00l7jsfnOOEIjrWRflMJz:aAT8QE+kVlKgJiAIjg6type: PE32 executable (GUI) Intel 80386, for MS Windows

Version Info:

LegalCopyright: Prometheus inc. FileDescription: Prometheus 2.4.3 Installation FileVersion: 2.4.3 Comments: CompanyName: Prometheus inc. Translation: 0x0409 0x04e4

MSIL/LockScreen.ZA also known as:

GridinSoft Trojan.Ransom.Gen
Bkav W32.AIDetect.malware2
K7AntiVirus Unwanted-Program ( 004b976a1 )
Cynet Malicious (score: 100)
Cylance Unsafe
K7GW Unwanted-Program ( 004b976a1 )
Symantec ML.Attribute.HighConfidence
ESET-NOD32 MSIL/LockScreen.ZA
APEX Malicious
Avast Win32:Malware-gen
NANO-Antivirus Trojan.Win32.LockScreen.feztyq
Tencent Win32.Trojan.Generic.Swun
Sophos Mal/Generic-S
BitDefenderTheta Gen:NN.ZemsilCO.34722.xm0@aGeoxze
McAfee-GW-Edition Generic.dwe
FireEye Generic.mg.c45d5563f19e5966
eGambit Unsafe.AI_Score_99%
Microsoft Trojan:Win32/Occamy.B
AegisLab Trojan.Win32.Generic.4!c
McAfee Generic.dwe
MAX malware (ai score=100)
Ikarus Trojan.MSIL.LockScreen
MaxSecure Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Crypmod.zfq
Fortinet MSIL/LockScreen.ZA!tr
AVG Win32:Malware-gen
Paloalto generic.ml

How to remove MSIL/LockScreen.ZA virus?

Unwanted application has ofter come with other viruses and spyware. This threats can steal account credentials, or crypt your documents for ransom.
Reasons why I would recommend GridinSoft1

Run the setup file.

Run Setup.exe
GridinSoft Anti-Malware Setup

Press “Install” button.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware Install

Once installed, Anti-Malware will automatically run.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware Splash-Screen

Wait for the Anti-Malware scan to complete.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware Scanning

Click on “Clean Now”.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware Scan Result

Are Your Protected?

Full version of GridinSoft

If the guide doesn’t help you to remove MSIL/LockScreen.ZA you can always ask me in the comments for getting help.

References

    About the author

    Robert Bailey

    Security engineer focused on malware behavior, removal workflows, and Windows hardening. Robert reviews threat articles for practical accuracy, checking detection names, symptoms, and cleanup steps before publication.

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