ESCAL – Ransomware
The ESCAL stands for a ransomware-type infection. ESCAL was elaborated specifically to encrypt all major file types. When the file is encrypted people are not able to use them. ESCAL adds the “.ESCAL” extension for each file encrypted by it. For example, the file “myphoto.jpg“, as soon as encrypted by ESCAL, will be renamed into “myphoto.jpg.ESCAL“. As quickly as the encryption is finished, ESCAL places a special text file into every folder containing the encrypted data.The message given by ESCAL text file asking for the ransom is definitely the same as the statements given by other ransomware representatives. It actually mentions that the information is encrypted which the only way to bring back it is to use a an unique decryption key. Sadly, this is absolutely true. The kind of cryptography mechanism applied by ESCAL is still not appropriately examined. Still, it is definitely particular that each victim might be given the specific decryption key, which is absolutely unique. It is impossible to bring back the files without the key available.
Another trick of ESCAL is that the victims cannot access to the key. The key is saved on a particular server run by the frauds related to ESCAL ransomware. To get the key and recover the important information people have to pay the ransom.
ESCAL encrypted your documents, but that might not be the only damage done to you. The ransomware might still be hidingon your computer. To identify whether this holds true, we suggest downloading GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
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However, irrespective of the requested quantity, people should stay away from paying the ransom. Cyber frauds are not fair, so they tend to completely ignore what their victims feel about the problem, even when the payment reaches their pockets. This is why paying the ransom usually does not give any positive outcome and people just lose their money for absolutely nothing.
We strongly advise that you do not contact these crooks and definitely do not transfer money into their accounts. It is said to admit that there are no utilities able to crack ESCAL ransomware and to recover the information data free of charge. Thus, the just right decision is to recover the lost data from the available backup.
Virus Summary
| Name | ESCAL Ransomware |
| File Extension | .ESCAL |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Short Description | The ransomware encrypts all the data stored on your system and requires a ransom to be paid on your part supposedly to recover your important files. |
| Symptoms | File encryption by the ransomware is performed by means of the AES and RSA encryption algorithms. Once the encryption is completed, the ransomware adds its special ESCAL extension to all the files modified by it. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Removal Tool | GridinSoft Anti-Malware |
Bear in mind that the internet is now overwhelmed with threats that look similar to ESCAL ransomware. Harmful programs of such kind are normally elaborated to encrypt crucial data and to set forth the demand before the user to pay the ransom. The peculiarity of all such ransomware threats is that all apply a comparable algorithm to produce the distinct decryption key for data decryption.
Therefore, as long as the ransomware is still being developed or has some hidden bugs, by hand recovering the information is just not feasible. The only method to prevent the loss of your essential information is to regularly create backups of your important information.
Bear in mind that even if you create such backups, they need to be put into a special storage utility not connect to your main PC. You may use the USB Memory Stick or external hard disk drive for this purpose, or refer to the help of the cloud storage. If you save your backup files on your common system they may be encrypted in addition to other files, so it’s definitely not a good storage place.
How did ransomware infect my PC?
There are several methods used by online frauds to distribute ESCAL ransomware. Although it doubts how exactly ESCAL injects your computer, there are some leaks through which it may penetrate the system:
- integration with third-party software, especially freeware;
- spam emails from unknown senders;
- websites rendering free hosting services;
- pirated peer-to-peer (P2P) downloads.
Typically ESCAL ransomware may exist as some genuine software, for example, in the pop-ups advising users to execute some important software updates. This is the typical trick used by online frauds to persuade people into downloading and installing ESCAL infection manually, by means of their direct participation in the installation process.
In addition, the criminals might describe various email spam techniques to inject harmful codes into Windows PC. So, they may refer to to sending unsolicited spam e-mails with tricky notifications promoting users to download the attachments or click on certain download links, for example, the ones motivating users to open some photos, files, tax reports or invoices.
Needless to mention, opening such files or clicking on such dangerous links may significantly damage the PC. Fictitious Adobe Flash Player upgrade notifies may result in ESCAL ransom injection. When it comes to the cracked software, these illegally downloaded programs may likewise include malicious codes causing ESCAL secret installation. Finally, injection of ESCAL may take place by ways of Trojans that secretly get injected into the system and set up harmful utilities without the user’s authorization.
Is there any way to avoid the injection of ESCAL ransomware?
Even though there is no 100% guarantee to avoid your computer from getting infected, there are some pieces of guidance we wish to share with with you. First of all, be very careful when you browse the web and specifically while downloading free apps. Stay away from opening suspicious email attachments, especially when the sender of the email is not familiar to you.
Remember that some freeware installers may consist of other unwanted utilities in the bundle, so they may be destructive. Ensure that your current anti-virus and your entire operating system is always appropriately updated.
Naturally, downloading pirated software is unlawful and may result in important damage to be produced your PC. Thus, stay away from downloading cracked software. You are likewise strongly encouraged to reconsider your existing security software and possibly switch to another security solution that can render better services of defending your PC.
Below please find the quotation from the ESCAL text file:
Your network has been penetrated. All files on each host in the network have been encrypted with a strong algorithm. Backups, replications were either encrypted or wiped. Shadow copies also removed. DO NOT RESET OR SHUTDOWN - files may be damaged. DO NOT RENAME OR MOVE the encrypted and readme files. DO NOT DELETE *.ESCAL-p9yqoly files. This may lead to the impossibility of recovery of the certain files. To get info how to decrypt your files, contact us at: imperial755@protonmail.com imperial@mailfence.com To confirm our honest intentions we will decrypt few files for free. Send 2 different files with extension *.ESCAL-p9yqoly. Files should not contain essential information. Files should be inside ZIP archive and mailed to us (SUBJ : your domain or network name). It can be from different computers on your network to be sure we decrypts everything. The procedure to decrypt the rest is simple: After payment we will send you decryption software. Don\'t waste time, send email with files attached as soon as possible. if you contact the police, they completely BLOCK any activity (mainly financial) of the company until the end of the proceedings on their part. It\'s just a business. We absolutely do not care about you and your deals, except getting benefits. If we do not do our work and liabilities - nobody will not cooperate with us. It\'s not in our interests. If you will not cooperate with our service - for us, it\'s doesn\'t matter. But you will lose your time and data, cause just we have the private key.
Screenshot of files with “.ESCAL” extension added by the ransomware:
Use GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove ESCAL ransomware from your computer
1.Download GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
You can download GridinSoft Anti-Malware by clicking the button below:
2. Double-click on the setup file.
When setup file has finished downloading, double-click on the setup-antimalware-ag.exe file to install GridinSoft Anti-Malware on your computer.
An User Account Control asking you about to allow GridinSoft Anti-Malware to make changes to your device. So, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
3. Press Install button for run GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
3.Once installed, GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically run.
4. Wait for the GridinSoft Anti-Malware scan to complete.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically start scanning your computer for Win Speedup 2018 and other malicious programs. This process can take a 20-30 minutes, so we suggest you periodically check on the status of the scan process.
5. Click on “Clean Now”.
When the scan has completed, you will see the list of infections that GridinSoft Anti-Malware has detected. To remove them click on the “Clean Now” button in right corner.
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