The popular EDA2 family of malware has spawned a new variant known as the Luxnut virus. The threat encrypts user data using a strong virus and renames the affected files with the .locked extension. Our Luxnut removal guide shows how victims can eliminate the malware and restore their files.
Manual Removal Guide
Recover .locked Files
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How Does Luxnut Ransomware Virus Infiltrate the System?
The Luxnut virus is contained in a single file called eda2.exe that is likely a slightly modified version of the original EDA2 core threat. We suspect that the hackers are distributing it using different distribution tactics.
One of the primary ones is the use of email spam messages that seek to spread the Luxnut virus using social engineering tricks. The hackers attempt to make the users believe that they are receiving mail from legitimate institutions or companies, while at the same time infecting themselves. The criminals devise messages that contain the Luxnut virus as file attachments or links in the body contents.
Other methods include the creation and distribution of counterfeit software installers and Office documents. They contain scripts and virus code that is activated when the users execute them.
We suspect that the criminals behind this iteration also use hacked or hacker-controlled download sites to host the malware samples. BitTorrent networks are another possible source of infections.
Browser hijackers that are malicious addons are often used by criminals to install viruses. They are usually made for the most popular applications: Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. Upon installation they change the default home page, search engine and new tabs page to a hacker-controlled site that may deliver the Luxnut virus to the victims. In addition they harvest sensitive information from the compromised browsers: bookmarks, history, stored account credentials, passwords, settings and other web activity.
Related: Kirk Ransomware Virus, VapeLauncher Ransomware Virus
Infection Flow of Luxnut Ransomware Virus
Security researchers identified a dangerous new malware that belongs to the EDA2 family of viruses. It is knwon as Luxnut and according to the initial analysis contains only a base malware. We expect that future version of the Luxnut virus will be built with more complex modules.
At the moment the basic behavior patterns are implemented. Upon infection the encryption engine is immediately started which encrypts a wide range of user and system data based on a predefined list of file type extensions. It can be customized based on victims and the current attack wave. The captured samples were found to target the following file type extensions:
.asp, .aspx, .csv, .doc, .docx, .html, .jpg, .mdb, .odt, .php, .png, .ppt, .pptx, .psd, .sln, .sql, .txt, .xls, .xlsx, .xml
This means that the current Luxnut virus campaigns hsa the ability the following set of files:
- Documents – Various rich text documents, spreadsheets, presentations and databases.
- Multimedia Files – Several image files are also affected by the virus.
- Configuration Files and Source Code – The Luxnut virus has been found to impact source code and important configuration files as well.
Once the process is complete the Luxnut virus institutes a lockscreen that prevents ordinary computer interaction. It also displays a wallpaper image with the ransomware message:
Something, somewhere went terribly wrong
The ransomware note does not feature any hacker specified instructions or a sum. This likely means that the current version is still in development. Usually the hackers that are behind viruses like this one specify a ransom fum in the Bitcoin digital currency and extort the victims for the payment.
Remove Luxnut Virus and Restore Data
WARNING! Manual removal of Luxnut file virus requires being familiar with system files and registries. Removing important data accidentally can lead to permanent system damage. If you don’t feel comfortable with manual instructions, download a powerful anti-malware tool that will scan your system for malware and clean it safely for you.
Luxnut Virus – Manual Removal Steps
Start the PC in Safe Mode with Network
This will isolate all files and objects created by the ransomware so they will be removed efficiently. The steps bellow are applicable to all Windows versions.
1. Hit the WIN Key + R
2. A Run window will appear. In it, write msconfig and then press Enter
3. A Configuration box shall appear. In it Choose the tab named Boot
4. Mark Safe Boot option and then go to Network under it to tick it too
5. Apply -> OK
Show Hidden Files
Some ransomware threats are designed to hide their malicious files in the Windows so all files stored on the system should be visible.
1. Open My Computer/This PC
2. Windows 7
- – Click on Organize button
– Select Folder and search options
– Select the View tab
– Go under Hidden files and folders and mark Show hidden files and folders option
3. Windows 8/ 10
- – Open View tab
– Mark Hidden items option
4. Click Apply and then OK button
Enter Windows Task Manager and Stop Malicious Processes
1. Hit the following key combination: CTRL+SHIFT+ESC
2. Get over to Processes
3. When you find suspicious process right click on it and select Open File Location
4. Go back to Task Manager and end the malicious process. Right click on it again and choose End Process
5. Next, you should go folder where the malicious file is located and delete it
Repair Windows Registry
1. Again type simultaneously the WIN Key + R key combination
2. In the box, write regedit and hit Enter
3. Type the CTRL+ F and then write the malicious name in the search type field to locate the malicious executable
4. In case you have discovered registry keys and values related to the name, you should delete them, but be careful not to delete legitimate keys
Click for more information about Windows Registry and further repair help
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Recover .locked Files
WARNING! All files and objects associated with Luxnut file virus should be removed from the infected PC before any data recovery attempts. Otherwise the virus may encrypt restored files. Furthermore, a backup of all encrypted files stored on external media is highly recommendable.
WARNING! Manual removal of Luxnut file virus requires being familiar with system files and registries. Removing important data accidentally can lead to permanent system damage. If you don’t feel comfortable with manual instructions, download a powerful anti-malware tool that will scan your system for malware and clean it safely for you.
SpyHunter anti-malware tool will diagnose all current threats on the computer. By purchasing the full version, you will be able to remove all malware threats instantly. Additional information about SpyHunter / Help to uninstall SpyHunter
1. Use present backups
2. Use professional data recovery software
Stellar Phoenix Data Recovery – a specialist tool that can restore partitions, data, documents, photos, and 300 more file types lost during various types of incidents and corruption.
3. Using System Restore Point
- – Hit WIN Key
– Select “Open System Restore” and follow the steps
4. Restore your personal files using File History
- – Hit WIN Key
– Type restore your files in the search box
– Select Restore your files with File History
– Choose a folder or type the name of the file in the search bar
– Hit the “Restore” button
Preventive Security Measures
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