RAA Ransomware

Posted: June 15, 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:	7

First Seen:	June 15, 2016
Last Seen:	November 11, 2020
OS(es) Affected:	Windows

The RAA Ransomware is a Trojan that attacks particular data types with an encryption routine, preventing the content from being opened or otherwise used. In addition to using this attack to extort money from its victims, the RAA Ransomware also is closely connected with spyware that may collect information in a symptomless manner. As a result of all these risks, malware experts categorize this Trojan as a high-level threat and only advise removing the RAA Ransomware with the strongest available anti-malware tools.

Executing Your Files without an EXE

Executable files within the EXE format are, by far, the most common means of packaging software, but not the only means available. Some enterprising coders may use alternate structures, such as the pure JavaScript approach of the RAA Ransomware. This Trojan's campaign was confirmed this year recently for honing in on Russian-speaking victims, according to its ransom note.

The RAA Ransomware's delivery mechanisms are 'traditional,' within the traditions of data-encrypting Trojans. The RAA Ransomware may use e-mail messages for delivering itself, along with a fake document that distracts the user from the deposited threat. Malware analysts also can verify the presence of at least one other Trojan smuggling itself within some the RAA Ransomware attacks: a client-side installer for the Pony Botnet and its attendant spyware.

A finalized installation gives the RAA Ransomware the opportunity to scan your PC for a handful of data types, including DOC documents, XLS spreadsheets and ZIP archives. The RAA Ransomware eschews any folder related to your Windows operating system or other programs. Any content that falls into the former prerequisite without being in one of the blacklisted locations is sent through an AES-based encryption sequence, preventing other programs from reading it.

As always, con artists designed the RAA Ransomware's campaign for the purpose of making money. The RAA Ransomware loads ransom messages requesting Bitcoin payments averaging 250 USD, claiming that its administrators will undo the encryption after the fact.

Pulling Back from the Brink of a Digital Ransom

Although you should be able to identify all affected files according to their name changes (which include an ID tag and the '.locked' extension), the anti-malware industry has yet to publish a free decryptor for the RAA Ransomware. Additionally, the RAA Ransomware takes care to delete local backup information that Windows could use for restoring your content. As a workaround, malware researchers can recommend such conventional standbys as cloud services, or backups kept on detached storage devices.

It's equally important to recognize the less obvious dangers arising from the RAA Ransomware infections. The Pony Botnet infections can collect browser passwords or give third parties long-term, remote access to your computer. Unlike the RAA Ransomware, the Pony Botnet malware does not show symptoms of being installed. Victims should make sure to change all passwords, and related account access information, after disinfecting their PCs.

Even though paying a ransom may seem like the easiest method of restoring your files, the RAA Ransomware's con artists can offer no reassurances of delivering decryption services after processing a payment. Proper responses to this threat include ignoring disinformation provided by its ransom instructions and using anti-malware products for uninstalling the RAA Ransomware, as well as the Pony Botnet program. Whatever the fate of your data, the RAA Ransomware does show that threat authors are looking into new ways of packaging old threats to keep them relevant in the current climate clearly

RAA Ransomware

Threat Metric

Executing Your Files without an EXE

Pulling Back from the Brink of a Digital Ransom

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