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Interlock Ransomware

Under attack by ransomware or suffering a cyber breach?

Speed is critical when facing a live cyber attack. If you believe you’ve been compromised, by the Interlock ransomware group or another threat actor - contact us immediately.

About Interlock ransomware group

First appearing in September 2024, Interlock is a sophisticated ransomware operation that blends espionage-style tactics with an aggressive double extortion model. Victims of Interlock typically experience complete network disruption and threats to leak sensitive data if the ransom is not paid.

The threat actors behind Interlock ransomware are known for their precise, stealthy intrusions and high-pressure tactics, making them a dangerous adversary for mid-sized and large enterprises alike. The threat actors employ detailed reconnaissance before deploying ransomware encryptors and use ransom notes to instruct victims on payment, often including legal threats and warnings about public data leaks to increase pressure.

The ransomware threat actors utilise a double extortion model, leveraging both data leak sites and payment instructions served through a Tor browser for victim communication and to intensify extortion efforts.

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How Interlock operators work

Interlock is an advanced ransomware group suspected to be run by a tightly coordinated, highly skilled group of cybercriminals. While no formal ties have been confirmed, some researchers believe Interlock may be operated by former affiliates of well-known ransomware gangs such as Conti or Royal, based on similarities in payload structure, encryption routines, and communication methods.

What distinguishes Interlock from many other groups is its hybrid approach: it combines traditional ransomware variants with advanced persistent threat (APT)-style tactics. The group doesn’t just encrypt files – it performs deep reconnaissance, stealing users’ online credentials, modifying Windows Registry keys, and disabling security solutions, often using a remote access trojan (RAT) or keylogger dynamic link library (DLL) before exfiltrating sensitive data.

Interlock threat actors employ both social engineering attempts, such as the ClickFix social engineering technique, and compromised legitimate websites to gain initial access. They often exploit compromised domain administrator accounts and implement domain-level modifications to facilitate lateral movement within the network.

The Interlock ransom group predominantly targets organisations in finance, professional services, critical infrastructure, health and human services, and national supply chains – industries where both operational disruption and data leakage pose severe business and regulatory risks.

We are equipped to deal with an attack from any ransomware group.

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you are under attack from a ransomware group not listed above. 

Recognising an Interlock attack

Interlock ransomware attacks begin with spear-phishing, compromised sites, or stolen credentials, then unfold over weeks. Once inside, attackers use tools like Azure Storage Explorer for covert data transfer and conduct stealthy reconnaissance to escalate privileges and map servers, VMs, and backups.

To evade detection, Interlock actors deploy disguised payloads, disable endpoint protection, bypass firewalls, and enable remote access via RDP.

Interlock actors execute AzCopy, a Microsoft command-line utility, to exfiltrate data and stage for encryption. They also use malicious commands to compromise system integrity. Before encryption, actors encrypt systems with strong ciphers like AES-256, adding custom extensions such as .interlocked. Some victims have reported observed encrypting virtual machines as part of these attacks.

Interlock ransomware encryptors are designed to work across Windows and Linux operating systems, making them especially dangerous in hybrid environments. 

Why you must not interfere with your ransomware environment

If you discover a physical break-in at your offices, your first instinct would be to call the police; touch nothing and let them search for clues. Then, your focus would shift to restoring business operations.

A cyber-attack requires the same approach. Your digital environment is a CRIME SCENE. It is crucial to leave the environment untouched to allow for a forensic investigation.

This is not a task for your IT team or MSP. Digital Forensic specialists are available 24/7 to assist you, just like in a physical crime.

description Sector Date Discovered Attack Date Country Screenshot
Transportation/Logistics 02/06/2026 01:53 PM 02/06/2026 01:53 PM US
Consumer Services 11/05/2026 04:52 PM 11/05/2026 04:52 PM US
Public Sector 11/05/2026 01:54 PM 11/05/2026 01:54 PM US
Healthcare 11/05/2026 01:54 PM 11/05/2026 01:54 PM US
Hospitality and Tourism 11/05/2026 01:54 PM 11/05/2026 01:53 PM IE
Transportation/Logistics 04/05/2026 04:52 PM 04/05/2026 04:52 PM US
Public Sector 01/05/2026 10:51 AM 01/05/2026 10:51 AM US
Education 15/04/2026 07:15 PM 15/04/2026 07:15 PM PL
Education 03/04/2026 04:20 PM 03/04/2026 04:20 PM US
Healthcare 02/04/2026 02:23 PM 02/04/2026 02:23 PM US
Consumer Services 26/03/2026 11:09 AM 26/03/2026 11:09 AM US
Manufacturing 18/03/2026 07:16 PM 18/03/2026 07:16 PM US
Construction 11/03/2026 10:14 AM 11/03/2026 10:13 AM US
Education 09/03/2026 10:15 PM 09/03/2026 10:15 PM US
Business Services 16/02/2026 05:25 PM 16/02/2026 05:24 PM US
Agriculture and Food Production 16/02/2026 05:24 PM 16/02/2026 05:24 PM GB
Education 13/02/2026 09:38 PM 13/02/2026 09:38 PM US
Education 01/02/2026 03:29 PM 01/02/2026 03:28 PM US
Construction 29/01/2026 03:56 PM 29/01/2026 03:55 PM GB
Education 07/01/2026 02:22 PM 07/01/2026 02:22 PM US
Construction 07/01/2026 02:21 PM 07/01/2026 02:21 PM AU
Manufacturing 06/01/2026 09:12 PM 06/01/2026 09:12 PM US
Healthcare 06/01/2026 09:11 PM 06/01/2026 09:11 PM US
Business Services 31/12/2025 02:57 PM 31/12/2025 02:56 PM US
Public Sector 24/12/2025 09:56 PM 27/05/2025 09:53 PM US
Business Services 22/12/2025 03:53 PM 22/12/2025 03:52 PM US
Education 18/12/2025 10:27 PM 18/12/2025 10:27 PM US
Manufacturing 15/12/2025 03:18 PM 15/12/2025 03:18 PM US
Technology 09/12/2025 05:17 PM 09/12/2025 05:17 PM UK
Public Sector 05/12/2025 02:19 PM 05/12/2025 02:19 PM US
Education 03/12/2025 07:30 PM 03/12/2025 07:30 PM
Healthcare 24/11/2025 05:48 PM 24/11/2025 05:47 PM US
Construction 24/11/2025 04:17 PM 24/11/2025 04:16 PM US
Manufacturing 07/11/2025 03:33 PM 07/11/2025 03:33 PM US
Public Sector 05/11/2025 03:57 PM 05/11/2025 03:56 PM US
Education 03/11/2025 03:56 PM 20/11/2024 08:17 PM US
Business Services 03/11/2025 03:56 PM 03/11/2025 03:56 PM AU
Manufacturing 29/10/2025 06:24 AM 29/10/2025 06:23 AM US
Construction 27/10/2025 03:48 PM 27/10/2025 03:47 PM US
Education 15/10/2025 01:22 PM 15/10/2025 01:22 PM US
Education 15/10/2025 10:23 AM 15/10/2025 10:22 AM US
Education 13/10/2025 01:17 PM 13/10/2025 01:17 PM US
Business Services 08/10/2025 04:57 PM 08/10/2025 04:57 PM US
Education 29/08/2025 02:41 PM 29/08/2025 02:40 PM AU
Business Services 26/08/2025 12:20 AM 26/08/2025 12:20 AM GB
Manufacturing 25/08/2025 08:19 PM 25/08/2025 08:19 PM US
Hospitality and Tourism 25/08/2025 06:50 PM 25/08/2025 06:49 PM US
Business Services 22/08/2025 07:12 PM 22/08/2025 07:12 PM US
Education 15/08/2025 09:52 PM 15/08/2025 09:51 PM US
Public Sector 13/08/2025 05:21 AM 13/08/2025 05:21 AM
Business Services 12/08/2025 04:39 PM 12/08/2025 04:38 PM US
Business Services 11/08/2025 06:51 PM 11/08/2025 06:50 PM CA
Public Sector 11/08/2025 06:50 PM 11/08/2025 06:50 PM US
Healthcare 04/08/2025 05:35 PM 04/08/2025 05:34 PM US
Business Services 18/07/2025 08:47 PM 18/07/2025 08:46 PM US
Manufacturing 18/07/2025 08:46 PM 18/07/2025 08:45 PM US
Public Sector 18/07/2025 08:45 PM 18/07/2025 08:45 PM US
Construction 04/07/2025 11:13 PM 04/07/2025 11:12 PM US
Consumer Services 25/06/2025 03:20 PM 25/06/2025 03:20 PM US
Education 25/06/2025 03:20 PM 25/06/2025 03:19 PM GB
Education 24/06/2025 07:47 AM 24/06/2025 07:46 AM US
Education 14/06/2025 07:19 PM 14/06/2025 07:18 PM US
Education 13/06/2025 07:18 PM 13/06/2025 07:18 PM US
Construction 13/06/2025 01:19 AM 13/06/2025 01:18 AM CA
Education 12/06/2025 11:12 AM 12/06/2025 11:11 AM US
Technology 06/06/2025 11:20 PM 06/06/2025 11:19 PM US
Healthcare 04/06/2025 09:18 AM 04/06/2025 09:17 AM US
Financial Services 03/06/2025 10:23 AM 07/05/2025 12:00 AM US
Business Services 03/06/2025 02:46 AM 14/05/2025 12:00 AM US
Business Services 02/06/2025 08:49 PM 24/05/2025 12:00 AM US
Healthcare 02/06/2025 08:47 PM 23/05/2025 12:00 AM US
Healthcare 02/06/2025 08:46 PM 24/05/2025 12:00 AM US
Manufacturing 27/05/2025 01:47 PM 09/05/2025 12:00 AM US
Education 23/05/2025 10:16 PM 26/04/2025 12:00 AM US
Public Sector 23/05/2025 10:48 AM 30/04/2025 12:00 AM GB
Financial Services 21/05/2025 12:20 AM 07/05/2025 12:00 AM GB
Manufacturing 05/05/2025 07:56 AM 28/04/2025 12:00 AM US
Education 03/05/2025 12:25 AM 03/05/2025 12:24 AM US
Manufacturing 01/05/2025 10:27 AM 30/04/2025 12:00 AM CA
Healthcare 25/04/2025 11:32 AM 12/04/2025 12:00 AM US
Education 25/04/2025 11:31 AM 03/04/2025 12:00 AM US
Manufacturing 07/04/2025 11:37 PM 11/03/2025 12:00 AM CA
Hospitality and Tourism 07/04/2025 11:36 PM 16/03/2025 12:00 AM US
Manufacturing 04/04/2025 06:32 PM 19/02/2025 12:00 AM CA
Manufacturing 04/04/2025 06:30 PM 11/03/2025 12:00 AM CA
Education 04/04/2025 01:00 AM 16/03/2025 12:00 AM US
Public Sector 29/03/2025 09:57 PM 24/02/2025 12:00 AM US
Manufacturing 23/03/2025 06:32 PM 04/03/2025 12:00 AM US
Agriculture and Food Production 23/03/2025 06:30 PM 23/03/2025 06:29 PM CA
Education 22/03/2025 07:29 AM 22/02/2025 12:00 AM US
Consumer Services 13/03/2025 12:02 AM 01/12/2023 03:54 PM MX
Education 07/03/2025 09:23 PM 07/03/2025 09:22 PM US
Public Sector 01/03/2025 06:27 PM 01/03/2025 06:26 PM US
Manufacturing 01/03/2025 06:26 PM 01/03/2025 06:25 PM IT
Business Services 25/02/2025 06:59 PM 25/02/2025 06:57 PM US
Hospitality and Tourism 21/02/2025 04:20 PM 21/02/2025 04:19 PM US
Business Services 26/12/2024 02:04 PM 26/11/2024 12:00 AM US
Public Sector 20/12/2024 04:41 AM 20/12/2024 04:41 AM US
Financial Services 17/12/2024 10:31 AM 17/12/2024 10:31 AM AU
Healthcare 17/12/2024 08:31 AM 20/10/2024 12:00 AM US
Public Sector 09/12/2024 03:58 AM 09/12/2024 03:58 AM US
Business Services 06/12/2024 08:51 PM 06/12/2024 08:51 PM US
Technology 19/11/2024 09:43 PM 19/11/2024 09:43 PM US
Education 07/11/2024 11:14 AM 07/11/2024 11:14 AM US
Education 27/10/2024 10:17 AM 27/10/2024 10:17 AM US
Healthcare 26/10/2024 11:38 AM 26/10/2024 11:38 AM US
Healthcare 24/10/2024 06:39 PM 24/10/2024 06:39 PM AU
Manufacturing 24/10/2024 02:07 PM 24/10/2024 02:07 PM IT
Public Sector 23/10/2024 05:34 PM 23/10/2024 05:34 PM US
Financial Services 13/10/2024 07:52 PM 13/10/2024 07:52 PM US

Post breach actions

  • Call a NCSC Cyber Incident Response approved supplier Some NCSC providers will fund up to 48 hours of investigation into your incident.
  • Report the incident to Report Fraud
  • Locate your business continuity plan Work out what you can do without access to your systems and data.
  • Identify your business insurance contact details
Business woman contacting a Zensec ransomware recovery service

Who are we and what experience do we have in responding to cyber incidents?

We are accredited to ISO 27001 and recognised by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).

We provide comprehensive cyber risk management services, with a core focus on Digital Forensics and Incident Response (DFIR). Our capabilities are driven by a 24/7 Security Operations Centre and a dedicated in-house intelligence team that delivers timely, actionable threat reporting.

With decades of collective cyber security experience, we have the expertise to assume operational ownership of your entire IT security architecture – simplifying and strengthening cyber security across your business.

As an Assured Service Provider for Cyber Incident Response (CIR) at the Standard Level. This accreditation demonstrates our ability to deliver high-assurance, effective support in response to a wide range of cyber threats.

Your NCSC-approved supplier is a specialist crime scene investigator who will:

  1. Isolate and preserve your environment for forensic investigation.
  2.  Identify where the data has been duplicated and issue a legal takedown order.
  3. Identify your data, application and systems restore points. These might be at different points in time and will need to be carefully restored and reconstructed in a pristine environment.
  4.  Liaise with your business insurance company and if needed, with the Police.
  5. Advise you on notifying your customers of your situation.
  6. Rebuild your systems, restore your data and get you back to full operation. Note: This process can take between 2 weeks – 2 months.

 

Working with us

Our response process

Our team are ransomware recovery specialists with a proven, streamlined approach to resolving incidents quickly and effectively.

Step 1: Triage

We deploy our incident response team the same day. From the first call, we begin onboarding, introduce key stakeholders, set communication schedules, and start gathering critical information to guide the response.

Step 2: Investigation

DFIR (Digital Forensic Incident Response) teams investigate breaches to identify vulnerabilities, attack vectors, and system impacts from ransomware such as Data Loss (PII). We deliver clear forensic insights to guide mitigation.

Step 3: Contain

Our onsite and remote teams act fast to stop the attack in its tracks. That includes isolating affected systems, removing malicious code, and putting protections in place to prevent further spread or damage.

Step 4: Remediate & Eradicate

Once contained, we work to fully eliminate the threat. This includes fixing exploited vulnerabilities, restoring systems to a secure state, and ensuring no traces of the attack remain.

Step 5: Recover

Our incident response teams help get your business back to normal. We restore access to systems, recover data, and ensure services are safe, stable, and functioning, with minimal downtime.

Step 6: Post Incident

We conduct a full review of the incident response and recovery efforts. Together we assess what happened, what worked, and what can be improved, helping you build stronger defences for the future.

Forensic analysis to drive recovery

Our process includes a thorough digital forensic analysis from step two where the output becomes a central component of business recovery. This is because understanding the attack is of critical importance:

  • Informing an initial infection date

  • The extent and spread of infection

  • Data exfiltration having an impact on regulatory positions

  • Ensuring that the attacker and any tooling or artefacts they leave behind are eradicated

It is critical that the analysis of digital evidence is carried out to an agreed plan.

Maximising early root cause discovery and legal leverage

The process is purpose-built to uncover the root cause as early as possible, which is essential to inform remediation / eradication and recovery as well as supporting a legal take-down case if this is applicable. A legal take-down means we can assist in the legal enforcement that stops the criminals from publishing the data, thus undermining the ransom notice.

Our Digital Forensic and Incident Response (DFIR) teams maintain consistent communication throughout. Dedicated Incident Managers and technical engineering leads provide updates during the Cyber Incident Response journey, utilising risk registers and working within change management processes, all from triage through to post-incident, delivering successful business recovery.

Key take aways

  • You will not be able to access your systems or data.
  • It is advised to disconnect from the internet and shut down your systems, including PCs, to prevent further infections.
  • Your Office 365 system might also be compromised, allowing the attackers to monitor your responses. Avoid communicating with individuals through your primary email or team systems.
  • Threat actors typically infiltrate your system at least 2-4 weeks before you become aware of the attack. Your data will have already been exfiltrated. If your system is encrypted, this was not an overnight event.
  • Ransom demands in the UK typically range from £500,000 to £3 million, with some sectors, like education, facing demands that exceed £5 million
  • Paying the ransom may violate financial sanctions, which is a criminal offence and could result in a custodial sentence or further financial penalties.
  • If your data is sold or published online, it puts your customers and staff at risk, potentially implicating you in a Data Protection breach.
  • You will need to submit a data takedown request to the initial location where the data was transferred.
  • Do not overwrite the encrypted data. It is crucial to determine when the infection began and where the data was sent.
  • Avoid rebuilding from the latest backup, as it is likely to be infected.

Why should I trust Zensec to do this work rather than my IT team?

A forensic analysis needs to be meticulous and a clean restore and recovery requires a wealth of experience not normally available in an in-house team who must provide a broader range of IT support skills:

Internal IT teams don’t have the necessary skill set to resolve security encryption issues themselves. 

IT teams may recover to the same position with indicators of compromise ready to do it again… which can lead to another breach.

Internal teams are pressured to restore business operations and may recover before forensic analysis even begins, potentially destroying the crime scene before completion.

We can help

Frequently asked questions

Key information when you’re under pressure.

Yes. Interlock utilises a Ransomware‑as‑a‑Service (RaaS) model. It operates via affiliates using customised Interlock ransomware encryptors, dedicated leak sites, and web-based negotiation portals. Their site, Worldwide Secrets Blog, functions as a data leak site showcasing stolen information.

To counter the Interlock actors threat, experts recommend implementing robust endpoint detection, identity credential and access management policies, and training users to report social engineering attempts. Interlock actors employ a double extortion model, combining data theft with ransomware deployment to increase pressure on victims. Network defenders should watch for known Interlock ransomware indicators, such as suspicious domain-level changes, AzCopy usage, and credential and access management anomalies.

The Interlock ransomware entered your system by one of several ways:

  • Phishing

  • Stolen Credentials

  • Exploitation of Vulnerable Remote Access Services

We recommend you adopt policies to:

  1. Educate your staff on the importance of cyber security

  2. Use strong passwords

  3. Multi-factor authentication

  4. Remove old users

  5. Perform regular backups

  6. Deploy timely updates to software and systems

After recovering from a Interlock ransom attack, Zensec recommends that you update your business continuity plan to account for lessons learnt during this attack & recovery.

After an Interlock ransomware attack, your company must activate its incident response plan to isolate affected systems, preserve sensitive data, and limit lateral movement. Engage a specialist like Zensec to assess your exposure, monitor for data leaks, and strengthen your organisation’s defences against future ransomware incidents.

The NCSC is the UK National Cyber Security Centre. They provide cyber security guidance and support, helping to make the UK the safest place to live and work online. They have defined a Cyber Incident Response procedure and they have approved and accredited suppliers to provide this service.

https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/

As a recognised Assured Service Provider by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), Zensec provide comprehensive cyber risk management services that are designed to Protect, Detect & Mitigate cyber security threats across the UK.

Report Fraud is the UK's national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime. Whether you have been scammed, defrauded, or experienced cybercrime in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, Report Fraud offers a central point of contact for information on fraud and financially motivated cybercrime.

https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

Yes. There's a possibility that some of the lost data falls under the category of "Personal Data" belonging to your customers. It's your legal responsibility to safeguard this data, even if it has been lost. Additionally, you may need to notify the Information Commissioner's Office at https://ico.org.uk/.

Your insurer or legal counsel will provide guidance on the necessary steps and how to move forward in this situation.

Zensec has experience collaborating with insurers and legal professionals and can offer support in managing this relationship during this challenging period.

A ransomware attack presents the most significant threat to your business by:

  • Disabling your access to systems, which could hinder machinery operation or impede progress through your business processes.

  • Blocking access to critical data concerning suppliers, shipments, customers, orders, or steps in your business workflow.

In the event of a business interruption, identifying your position in the supply chain and sustaining operations can be challenging. If the disruption continues, maintaining business continuity becomes critical. Once systems and data are restored, addressing backlogs and establishing future operational protocols are essential.

Ransomware ranks only behind receivership in terms of its capacity to incapacitate a business.

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Dealing with a ransomware attack?
Our ransomware recovery service can help

Our expert team works quickly to contain the breach, recover your data, and restore your systems to full operation. We’ll guide you through every step of the recovery process and help strengthen your defences to prevent future attacks. Regain control with Zensec - trusted support when it matters most.