What is Interlock Ransomware?

Interlock ransomware is an emerging cyber threat that stepped into the scene in late 2024. What’s particularly noteworthy is its capacity to infect not just Windows machines, but also systems running FreeBSD. This move showcases a significant evolution in ransomware capabilities.

Victims of this ransomware will find their files encrypted with an added “.interlock” extension. Say you had a file named report.xlsx? It will now appear as report.xlsx.interlock, a clear marker of Interlock’s presence.

Does It Demand Payment for Decryption?

Indeed, like many ransomware variants, Interlock leaves a note demanding payment to restore access through a decryption key. The note isn’t just a request; it’s a threat. Failure to pay could result in sensitive data being leaked on the dark web.

Is This Threat Serious?

Absolutely, the gravitas of ransomware should never be understated. With its leak site, Interlock has already exposed terabytes of data from multiple organizations, demonstrating its substantial impact.

How Do Organizations Become Victims?

The path to infection often involves fraudulent browser updates, notably for Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. These cunning installers, hidden within compromised, legitimate sites, trigger a PowerShell backdoor, setting the stage for ransomware deployment.

What Sets Interlock Apart?

Besides its cross-platform attack strategy, Interlock leverages a cunning social engineering trick known as ClickFix.

What is ClickFix?

ClickFix capitalizes on user manipulation. It disguises malware commands as innocuous actions, prompting users to execute them. For instance, a fake error might ask you to press keys to “fix” something, which inadvertently runs harmful scripts. The U.S. Government has warned against this tactic, linked to scams impersonating major entities like Google.

What Justifies Such Actions by Ransomware Gangs?

Interlock’s operators mask their criminal actions as a push for better cybersecurity awareness. They claim their activities expose organizations with weak defenses, urging them to fortify their systems. However, their targeting of critical sectors such as healthcare negates any noble facade.

How Can Organizations Safeguard Against Interlock?

• Keep offsite backups secure.
• Ensure security solutions and patches are current.
• Enforce strong, unique passwords alongside multi-factor authentication.
• Encrypt sensitive data whenever possible.
• Mitigate attack risks by disabling unnecessary system features.
• Educate teams about cyber threats and attack strategies.

Stay aware, stay protected.

Note from the Editor: The views expressed are the author’s and may not represent the stance of Fortra.

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