Encrypted virus

From the very early days, virus writers tried to implement virus code evolution. One of the easiest ways to hide the functionality of the virus code was encryption. The first known virus that implemented encryption was Cascade on DOS4. The virus starts with a constant decryptor, which is followed by the encrypted virus body. Encryption of malware is a serious challenge for antivirus experts and code analysts. Malware uses various techniques to encrypt them to not be easily visible and make their life as long as possible. Although the encryption approach cannot fully stop analyzing and fighting against the malware, it makes the process of analyzing more difficult.

An encrypted virus is a computer virus that encrypts its payload with the intention of making detecting the virus more difficult. It is dificult to detect it by antivirus software.This is a virus which use encryption to hide from virus scanners. This virus jumbles up its program code to make it difficult to detect. An encrypted virus’s code begins with a decryption algorithm and continues with scrambled or encrypted code for the remainder of the virus. Each time it infects, it automatically encodes itself differently, so its code is never the same. Through this method, the virus tries to avoid detection by anti-virus software

An encrypted virus should not be confused with the more recent computer viruses like cryptolocker that encrypt the data on your hard drive and hold it for ransom.

How Encrypted Virus Infect

This virus has two parts, small decryptor, and the encrypted virus body. When the virus is executed, the decryptor will execute first and decrypt the virus body. Then the virus body can execute, replicating, or becoming resident. The virus body will include an encryptor to apply during replication. A variably encrypted virus will use different encryption keys or encryption algorithms.

A payload refers to the component of a computer virus that executes a malicious activity. More powerful payloads (complex Viruses) lead to more damage. Most of the time this virus payload is Cryptoloacker, Ransomware. This virus is usually distributed via spam, infected sites, or through the use of other malware

Detection of encrypted Virus

Encrypted malware is engineered to evade detection by traditional antivirus tools, the best solutions for this threat use advanced, behavior-based detection techniques. Behavior-based detection solutions like endpoint detection and response or advanced threat protection can pinpoint threats in real-time. Behavior-based malware protection is more accurate than traditional signature-based methods.