Darky Lock Ransomware

Introduction: Darky Lock ransomware, a commodity-tier family, emerged in July 2022, built upon the publicly available Babuk source code. Targeting both large enterprises and small to medium-sized businesses, Darky Lock employs trojanized downloads, phishing emails, and third-party frameworks like Empire, Metasploit, and Cobalt Strike for payload delivery.
Targets: Darky Lock ransomware indiscriminately targets large enterprises, high-value entities, and SMBs.

Operation:

Infection Method: Utilizes trojanized downloads, phishing emails, and third-party frameworks for payload delivery.
Encryption Process: Deletes volume shadow copies to inhibit recovery and appends the “.darky” extension to encrypted files.
Ransom Note: Instructs victims to contact attackers via email after payment. The ransom note “Restore-My-Files.txt” is left in locations with encrypted items.
Propagation: Has the capability to spread to local and network drives.

Detection Strategies: EDR effectively detects and prevents Darky Lock ransomware. For those without this platform, a multi-layered approach is recommended:

Security Tools: Employ anti-malware software or security tools capable of detecting and blocking known ransomware variants through signatures, heuristics, or machine learning algorithms.
Network Traffic Monitoring: Regularly monitor network traffic to identify indicators of compromise, such as unusual patterns or communication with known command-and-control servers.
Security Audits: Conduct periodic security audits and assessments to identify vulnerabilities in the network and system, ensuring all security controls are effective.
Education & Training: Educate and train employees on cybersecurity best practices, emphasizing the identification and reporting of suspicious emails and other threats.
Backup & Recovery Planning: Implement a robust backup and recovery plan to restore data in case of an attack.

Mitigation Measures: For EDR customers, the EDR is effective in preventing and mitigating Darky Lock ransomware infections. In case of infection, the platform’s unique rollback capability can be used to remove the infection and restore encrypted files to their original state.
For those without EDR , several steps can help mitigate the risk of Darky Lock ransomware attacks:

Employee Education: Educate employees on ransomware risks, phishing email identification, and avoidance of malicious attachments.
Strong Passwords: Implement strong, unique passwords for user accounts, regularly updating and rotating them.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enable MFA for user accounts to add an extra layer of security.
System Updates and Patching: Regularly update and patch systems to fix vulnerabilities and prevent exploitation.
Backup and Disaster Recovery (BDR): Establish regular BDR processes, testing backups stored offsite for quick recovery.

A comprehensive approach, combining preventive measures, employee education, and recovery strategies, is crucial for effectively mitigating the risk of Darky Lock ransomware attacks.

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