Buddy Ransomware

Posted: February 3, 2016

Threat Metric

The Threat Meter is a malware assessment that SpywareRemove.com's research team is able to give every identifiable malware threat. Our Threat Meter includes several criteria based off of specific malware threats to value their severity, reach and volume. The Threat Meter is able to give you a numerical breakdown of each threat's initial Threat Level, Detection Count, Volume Count, Trend Path and Percentage Impact. The overall ranking of each threat in the Threat Meter is a basic breakdown of how all threats are ranked within our own extensive malware database. The scoring for each specific malware threat can be easily compared to other emerging threats to draw a contrast in its particular severity. The Threat Meter is a useful tool in the endeavor of seeking a solution to remove a threat or pursue additional analytical research for all types of computer users.

The following fields listed on the Threat Meter containing a specific value, are explained in detail below:

Threat Level: The threat level scale goes from 1 to 10 where 10 is the highest level of severity and 1 is the lowest level of severity. Each specific level is relative to the threat's consistent assessed behaviors collected from SpyHunter's risk assessment model.

Detection Count: The collective number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular malware threat. The detection count is calculated from infected PCs retrieved from diagnostic and scan log reports generated by SpyHunter.

Volume Count: Similar to the detection count, the Volume Count is specifically based on the number of confirmed and suspected threats infecting systems on a daily basis. High volume counts usually represent a popular threat but may or may not have infected a large number of systems. High detection count threats could lay dormant and have a low volume count. Criteria for Volume Count is relative to a daily detection count.

Trend Path: The Trend Path, utilizing an up arrow, down arrow or equal symbol, represents the level of recent movement of a particular threat. Up arrows represent an increase, down arrows represent a decline and the equal symbol represent no change to a threat's recent movement.

% Impact (Last 7 Days): This demonstrates a 7-day period change in the frequency of a malware threat infecting PCs. The percentage impact correlates directly to the current Trend Path to determine a rise or decline in the percentage.

Threat Level:	8/10
Infected PCs:	9

First Seen:	February 3, 2016
Last Seen:	August 14, 2022
OS(es) Affected:	Windows

The Buddy Ransomware is a file encrypting Trojan that holds your data up for ransom so that the Buddy Ransomware can receive Bitcoin payments. Since ransoming files affected by the Buddy Ransomware may not provide the necessary decryption service to restore your information, malware researchers typically don't encourage that you pay the fees endorsed by these Trojans. Instead, employ security procedures as necessary for regaining access to your PC, and run anti-malware products capable of detecting and then uninstalling the Buddy Ransomware.

The Buddy Who's Always Asking You for Money

The Buddy Ransomware is a new variant of file encryption threats operating under the same principles as most file encryptors. The Buddy Ransomware installs itself through non-consensual methods such as in-browser scripts or mislabeled e-mail attachments, scans for non-critical file data and then encrypts your documents, images, audio files and other information. All encryption targets are identifiable currently by looking for the '.cry' extension that the Buddy Ransomware applies to each encrypted file. Like other file encryptors, this automatic name change doesn't correspond to any effort of converting the files to another format. Renaming your files or removing the extensions will not remove the Buddy Ransomware's encryption, which modifies the structure of each file's internal data.

There are some minor innovations in current samples of the Buddy Ransomware. Unfortunately, these changes all were for improving the usability for its ransom process. Unlike some simplistic file encryptors, the Buddy Ransomware delivers a pop-up ransom message that includes a built-in interface for purchasing Bitcoin currency (slightly under 300 USD for its recommended ransom). It implies that the Buddy Ransomware includes, currently, an automated routine for decrypting your files within minutes after receiving this payment, although malware experts can't confirm the presence of this feature.

Telling Your Trojan 'Buddy' to Go Away

Since the Buddy Ransomware can't collect payments from damaged PCs, files that are essential for your operating system are unlikely of being encrypted by this threat. As a result, standard strategies for long term data protection, such as using USB-based backups or cloud storage services, can provide your files with easy means of remaining safe from the Buddy Ransomware, even if you can't remove its encryption. Malware experts also stress the ongoing development of free decryptor utilities for threats like the Buddy Ransomware, which you always can download from links provided by reputable security companies.

The Buddy Ransomware and other PC threats of the same type often implement their ransom messages in conjunction with attacks that lock your desktop or, otherwise, prevent you from accessing your security software. To work around these attacks, reboot your computer (through a removable drive, if necessary) and use your operating system's Safe Mode feature. Launching your OS with Safe Mode enabled will reduce the possibility of threats also launching, which can help your anti-malware programs delete the Buddy Ransomware safely.

As always, removing the Buddy Ransomware doesn't include decrypting any files, which is a separate process that requires specific, dedicated applications. If the decrypting becomes difficult or impossible, malware experts can guarantee the efficacy of restoring it from backups.

Buddy Ransomware

Threat Metric

The Buddy Who's Always Asking You for Money

Telling Your Trojan 'Buddy' to Go Away

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