Geek's Advice

ESCAL ransomware description

ESCAL is a malicious file-encrypting virus belonging to the ransomware category. It has been noticed by a security researcher Ravi. The malicious virus is designed to modify all files on victim’s computer using cryptography, the mark them with additional .ESCAL-p9yqoly file extension. The ransomware saves a message from the cybercriminals in !!_FILES_ENCRYPTED_.txt file, which is now included in every affected data folder. The criminals provide two contact emails – imperial755@protonmail.com and imperial@mailfence.com.

ESCAL ransomware is designed to restrict victim’s access to personal documents. For this reason, it uses ransomware.exe process to encrypt all files on the computer or whole computer network. Once encrypted and marked with the new extension, the files can no longer be opened. To inform the victim about the attack, a ransom note is created.

Ransom note contents explained

!!_FILES_ENCRYPTED_.txt is the name of the ransom note created by ESCAL ransomware virus. The message starts with a statement “Your network has been penetrated.” Next, the ransom note explains that all files on each host on the computer network have been encrypted. The ransomware also deleted any backups present on the system, including Volume Shadow Copies.

The ransom note warns the victim not to shutdown the system or try to modify the files in any way. The criminals suggest that data decryption might become impossible in such scenario. To get further information about ESCAL decryption tool, the criminals tell to contact them via provided email addreses – imperial755@protonmail.com or imperial@mailfence.com.

ESCAL virus’ developers suggest sending two encrypted files to them in a ZIP archive, with a condition that these files contain no valuable information. The attackers promise to provide decrypted versions of files to prove that it is “worth” paying the ransom. The files may be from different computers on the compromised network.

The ransom note ends with a warning not to waste time and not to contact the police or similar institutions, and yet another suggestion to pay as soon as possible as this would restore the computer’s or their network functionality instantly. However, security researchers do not recommend paying money to cybercriminals, as they cannot be trusted. Instead, we recommend removing the threat as soon as possible. For this matter, we recommend you to download RESTORO or another similar program and perform a full system scan to remove ESCAL ransomware virus and associated malware safely.

Ransomware viruses are extremely prevalent and dangerous nowadays. Examples of similar file-locking and money-demanding computer programs include NYPD, KKLL, ZWER, and others. They typically use a combination of several encryption ciphers to make files inaccessible. Once the damage is done, only the person who holds the decryption key can decrypt and restore files back to normal. This is why the ransomware developers offer to pay a ransom – they want the victim to pay for the decryption key.

Demonstration of Escal ransomware attack:

Ransomware distribution and computer infection techniques

Ransomware- category viruses, including ESCAL virus, mostly infect computers and their networks by leveraging social engineering techniques. That said, the most popular way of deceit they use is email spam. Cyber criminals compose legitimate-looking email messages, looking like they originate from a trustworthy person or business, and include an attached file. Such attachments often look like they do not pose any threat, since their file format typically appears to be Word or PDF file. However, you should know that these file formats can be exploited for malicious purposes easily as they allow Macros or JavaScript embeds.

Once opened, the file might need some editing from your part – make sure you do not click Enable Editing. This way, you can run the malicious script and infect your computer with ransomware instantly. Like that wouldn’t be enough damage, the ransomware might try to reach external resources, download and run even more malware, such as Trojans or Cryptocurrency miners.

Besides malicious email spam, cyber criminals often pack malware into peer-to-peer downloads, such as software cracks, keygens, movies, and similar. Therefore, if you decided to download some copyright-protected material for free, please understand that you risk losing all of your personal files.

You might also download malware like ESCAL ransomware after clicking a malicious online ad. For this reason, you should be very careful around various “Your system is infected with (3) virus” ads, adult-website promoting pop-ups and similar content, because clicking on them can cause a number of redirects ending with a landing page that triggers a malicious download.

Remove ESCAL ransomware and protect your computer

If you want to protect your computer and your privacy, the first step you should take is remove ESCAL ransomware from your computer. We strongly recommend doing so in Safe Mode with Networking, as it disables all additional system processes (including malicious ones) and ensures a secure cleansing environment. To eliminate the malicious remains on your system and restore damaged or corrupted Windows system files, we recommend using RESTORO.

After ESCAL ransomware removal, you can start restoring your files from a backup. Currently, there are no third-party tools capable of decryting .ESCAL-p9yqoly or similar extension files.

OUR GEEKS RECOMMEND

Our team recommends a two-step rescue plan to remove ransomware and other remaining malware from your computer, plus repair caused virus damage to the system:

STEP 1. REMOVE AUTOMATICALLY WITH ROBUST ANTIVIRUS

REMOVE & PROTECT WITH INTEGO

Get INTEGO ANTIVIRUS for Windows to remove ransomware, Trojans, adware and other spyware and malware variants and protect your PC and network drives 24/7.. This VB100-certified security software uses state-of-art technology to provide protection against ransomware, Zero-Day attacks and advanced threats, Intego Web Shield blocks dangerous websites, phishing attacks, malicious downloads and installation of potentially unwanted programs.

Use INTEGO Antivirus to remove detected threats from your computer.

Read full review here.

STEP 2. REPAIR VIRUS DAMAGE TO YOUR COMPUTER

DOWNLOAD RESTORO

RESTORO provides a free scan that helps to identify hardware, security and stability issues and presents a comprehensive report which can help you to locate and fix detected issues manually. It is a great PC repair software to use after you remove malware with professional antivirus. The full version of software will fix detected issues and repair virus damage caused to your Windows OS files automatically.

RESTORO uses AVIRA scanning engine to detect existing spyware and malware. If any are found, the software will eliminate them.

Read full review here.

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Alternative software recommendations

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

Removing spyware and malware is one step towards cybersecurity. To protect yourself against ever-evolving threats, we strongly recommend purchasing a Premium version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, which provides security based on artificial intelligence and machine learning. Includes ransomware protection. See pricing options and protect yourself now.

System Mechanic Ultimate Defense

If you're looking for an all-in-one system maintenance suite that has 7 core components providing powerful real-time protection, on-demand malware removal, system optimization, data recovery, password manager, online privacy protection and secure driver wiping technology. Therefore, due to its wide-range of capabilities, System Mechanic Ultimate Defense deserves Geek's Advice approval. Get it now for 50% off. You may also be interested in its full review.

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Matt Corey

Matt Corey is passionate about the latest tech news, gadgets and everything IT. Matt loves to criticize Windows and help people solve problems related to this operating system. When he’s not tinkering around with new gadgets he orders, he enjoys skydiving, as it is his favorite way to clear his mind and relax.