{
  "family": "lockyc",
  "sample_count": 1,
  "category": "ransomware",
  "description": "<h3>Executive Summary</h3>\nLockyc (often detected as a direct variant or sophisticated copycat of the infamous Locky ransomware) is a highly destructive malware strain engineered for rapid financial extortion. Operating as a Cryptovirus, Lockyc infiltrates Windows systems, utilizes strong, unbreakable encryption algorithms (typically RSA-2048 and AES-128) to lock down the victim's critical data, and demands a ransom payment (usually in Bitcoin) in exchange for the decryption key.\n\n<h3>Infection Vector and Technical Capabilities</h3>\nLockyc is predominantly distributed via massive, automated spam campaigns (often driven by the Necurs botnet). The emails contain malicious attachments, such as `.docm` (Word with macros) or `.js` (JavaScript) files hidden within `.zip` archives. When executed, these scripts download and launch the core ransomware payload.\n\nOnce executed, Lockyc operates with devastating efficiency:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Evasion and Command-and-Control:</strong> The ransomware frequently utilizes Domain Generation Algorithms (DGA) to contact its C2 servers. This allows it to securely exchange the public encryption key necessary to begin locking files while evading static IP blocklists.</li>\n<li><strong>Rapid File Encryption:</strong> Lockyc immediately begins scanning local drives, removable media, and critically, all mapped and unmapped network shares. It targets a vast array of file extensions (documents, databases, images, source code) and encrypts them, appending a specific extension (e.g., `.locky`, `.zepto`, or `.osiris`) to the files.</li>\n<li><strong>Shadow Copy Deletion:</strong> To prevent easy recovery, Lockyc executes commands (like `vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all /quiet`) to instantly destroy Windows Volume Shadow Copies and disable local backup routines.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3>Threat Assessment</h3>\nA Lockyc infection is a catastrophic security incident resulting in immediate, severe operational downtime and massive data loss. Due to the strength of modern encryption, files cannot be recovered without the private key or a viable offline backup.\n\n<h3>Incident Response and Remediation</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Immediate Physical Isolation:</strong> Disconnect the infected machine from the network immediately (pull the Ethernet cable/disable Wi-Fi) to halt the encryption process and prevent the ransomware from traversing SMB shares to encrypt centralized file servers.</li>\n<li><strong>Do Not Reboot:</strong> Leave the machine powered on. Rebooting may trigger further destructive routines or destroy the encryption key if it temporarily resides in RAM.</li>\n<li><strong>Restore from Offline Backups:</strong> The only reliable remediation is to completely wipe the infected system (bare-metal reinstall) and restore the data from secure, offline backups that were unreachable by the ransomware.</li>\n</ul>",
  "cta": "Published by the SystemHelpdesk team.",
  "aliases": [
    "Ransomware.Lockyc",
    "Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Locky",
    "Filecoder.Locky"
  ],
  "enrichment_level": "insufficient_information",
  "faq": [],
  "faq_count": 0,
  "mitre_attack": [
    "T1486",
    "T1490",
    "T1566.001",
    "T1059",
    "T1568.002"
  ],
  "cisa_advisory": null,
  "last_updated": "2026-07-01T17:18:38Z",
  "type": "Ransomware",
  "target_industries": [
    "Global / Opportunistic"
  ],
  "motivation": "Opportunistic",
  "threat_actors": [
    "Unknown / Cybercriminal"
  ],
  "target_geographies": [
    "Global"
  ]
}