Human error is an underlying cause of more than 90 percent cyber attacks. People tend to make mistakes when they are psychologically manipulated. Cybercriminals are aware of this intrinsic flaw. Therefore, they try to exploit the human psyche through social engineering in order to draw out an error.
Ransomware operators also use social engineering in several instances. They mostly use it in the form of phishing emails to deliver the cryptovirological payload. On the other hand, some of them use it to scare victims to successfully get ransom money. For instance, the operators of Reveton screen locker ransomware pose as law enforcement officials and threaten targeted users with stern repercussions for doing something unlawful on their devices. They then demand ‘fines’ and ‘penalties’ to let them off the hook. In other words, it is the extortion money they ask to do ransomware removal.
Many impressionable users, who are unaware of screen locker ransomware, get petrified by a locked device screen continuously brandishing a note from a law enforcement entity. As a result, they pay the ‘penalty’ to the attackers even if they are not guilty of doing anything unlawful.
In the last couple of months, Reveton ransomware has spread across three continents. Users from America, Europe, and the Middle East have reported Reveton ransomware attacks. Cybercriminals in different parts of the world, who use Reveton’s script, devise the lock screen windows according to the law enforcement bodies pertinent to the targeted region. For instance, Reveton operators in the US masquerade as FBI.
It has also been reported that Reveton ransomware operators have expanded their operations from desktop to mobile devices as well. Now, cell phone users are equally vulnerable to this locker ransomware. Keep in mind that locker strain is the easiest to deal with in terms of ransomware removal. Any good ransomware removal expert can help you in disinfecting your device from locker ransomware.
