Lkhy Virus Ransomware (.lkhy File) Removal

What is Lkhy ransomware?

Lkhy ransomware is something you'll want to avoid at all costs. Its impact extends beyond just encrypting your files—it also hits your wallet hard and compromises your computer's configurations, weakening your system's defenses. Therefore, it's much wiser to prevent its intrusion than to mitigate the aftermath of its activities.

The majority of Lkhy virus infections stem from the use of "free" software. These applications are meant to be bought, but hackers bypass the license verification, allowing them to be used without payment. In the process of tampering with license checks, it's all too easy for hackers to implant malware into the program's code. The specific malware introduced is often a factor of the hacker's compensation, with Lkhy ransomware being a prime example of such malicious software.

The Salsa20 encryption algorithm is what this virus uses to lock your files. While not the most formidable encryption available, its effectiveness is significantly enhanced due to the decryption key being held on a remote server controlled by the ransomware operators. Accessing the essential decryption key without submitting to the ransom demands is practically impossible. Attempts at brute force decryption are futile, given the overwhelming number of potential keys. While file decryption tools might offer a glimmer of hope, the likelihood of successfully recovering your files remains slim.

Encryption process

The Lkhy ransomware uses the Salsa20 encryption algorithm. That is not the strongest method, but it still provides an overwhelming amount of possible decryption keys. To brute force the 78-digit number of keys, you need 3.5 unvigintillion years (1*10^65), even if you use the most powerful regular PC. Quantum computers can show a bit better results, but it is still too slow to get your files back while you are alive.

The exact algorithm of encryption is next: malware scans each folder for the files it is able to encrypt. Then, when it finds the target, it makes a copy of your file, removes the original one, encrypts the copy and leaves it instead of the removed original. Such a procedure is done to prevent the situation when you have already opened the file, so ransomware is not able to read it because of the Windows restrictions. To each encrypted copy, the virus adds the specific extension - ".lkhy". Then, ransomware creates a _readme.txt file in the folder where the encrypted file is located, and goes to the next folder.

Such an encryption method can be exploited for file recovery. Since the original file is deleted, you may try to recover it using the file recovery tools. The less time is passed - the bigger the chance to get your files back, so hurry up!

Another specific moment that can help you to use the files even after the encryption is the fact that Lkhy ransomware encrypts only the first 150KB of each file. Hence, you can try to run a big file, such as video or music, without the encryption. Similar feature also works with other ransomware families - Dharma, Conti and Makop encrypt the same 150KB.

Ransom note: _readme.txt

Ransom note is the same for the whole ransomware family. In fact, it is one of the main signs of to which family the certain ransomware belongs. Here is the typical note for STOP/Djvu family:

External Links:

🔗 HowToFix.Guide: How To Decrypt .lkhy Files?

Indicators of Compromise(IOC)

File Name	MD5	File Size
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	4c4207a9421bd7ad788d8bcc18b3a712	669965
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	7745e135c13dea833ffe769a4fcaf35f	1886208
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	7832af38fbb9c8fff1a8bc9e8a2cc375	1273856
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	b0962d4bbd7edc329387f91b6264a31e	746496
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	57e0915079b3c7842eaaa79014a6d2a8	762880
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	c3461476e242662e95d91db63e459572	746496
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	eb9b21e7451498f7b17165bc9b7a0a58	747008
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	ea8dcf2eee76f737f8796bdbf7e33a06	222208
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	45d570affa3319d89121c755e490090c	222208
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	9b65ca43d28bdea147a039143e759361	294400