Question about CTB-Locker ransomware detection/protection

[tomdkat]

Hi!  On Sunday, Feb 24, 2019, I helped a friend transfer data to a new PC and discovered a number of his files had been encrypted.  Apparently, back in 2015, his system was hit by the "CTB-Locker" ransomware.  He and his wife simply didn't notice the documents, photos, and music files CTB-Locker encrypted were no longer available.  I also found the ransom files CTB-Locker left behind, with instructions on paying the ransom, etc.  Back in 2011, I helped him purchase a MBAM license and I made sure to activate that license on his new PC.  He has the latest version of MBAM running on his new Windows 10-based system.

In any event, I assume MBAM protects against CTB-Locker, by now, but my question is:  when did MBAM start detecting and/or protecting against CTB-Locker?   By virtue of his having a MBAM license, I don't assume MBAM was actually running or had the real-time protection enabled, etc, but I'm going to make sure *he* knows how to make sure MBAM is providing the appropriate protection.  I have no clue how his system got hit, in the first place.  I assume someone downloaded or ran something that resulted in the infection.

Thanks in advance?

[Malwarebytes]

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[exile360]

Greetings,

The Anti-Ransomware component was added back in December of 2016 as shown in the release history published on this page with the release of Malwarebytes 3.0.  Prior to that it only had the standard Malware Protection and Web Protection components for real-time protection (Anti-Exploit was still a separate product at that time and had not yet been integrated into Malwarebytes either).

Please let us know if there is anything else we might assist you with or if you have any further questions.

Thanks

[Porthos]

6 hours ago, tomdkat said:

I assume someone downloaded or ran something that resulted in the infection.

Good chance it was an email attachment.

[tomdkat]

10 hours ago, exile360 said:

Greetings,

The Anti-Ransomware component was added back in December of 2016 as shown in the release history published on this page with the release of Malwarebytes 3.0.  Prior to that it only had the standard Malware Protection and Web Protection components for real-time protection (Anti-Exploit was still a separate product at that time and had not yet been integrated into Malwarebytes either).

Please let us know if there is anything else we might assist you with or if you have any further questions.

Thanks

Hi!  Thanks for the info!  That's exactly what I needed.

Peace...

[tomdkat]

7 hours ago, Porthos said:

Good chance it was an email attachment.

Thanks! 

Peace...

[exile360]

Excellent, I'm glad we could help you.  If there's anything else you need please post again.

Thanks