The provided information pertains to the ransomware known as Locky, as referenced in a McAfee Labs Threat Advisory dated March 28, 2016. Locky is a type of malware classified as ransomware, which typically encrypts victims' files and demands a ransom payment to restore access. Although the advisory is categorized as OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) and the severity is marked as low, Locky ransomware historically has been a significant threat due to its widespread distribution via phishing campaigns and malicious email attachments. Locky often spreads through macro-enabled Office documents or exploit kits, encrypting a wide range of file types and appending a unique extension to encrypted files. Victims are presented with ransom notes demanding payment in cryptocurrency. The advisory notes no known exploits in the wild at the time and lacks specific affected versions or patch links, indicating this is likely a general informational advisory rather than a report on a new or active exploit. The threat level and analysis scores suggest a moderate concern but not an immediate critical threat. Given the date and context, Locky represents a known ransomware strain that has been active in the past, with typical ransomware behaviors including data encryption, disruption of business operations, and financial extortion.

For European organizations, Locky ransomware poses risks primarily related to data confidentiality and availability. Successful infection can lead to widespread encryption of critical business files, causing operational downtime and potential loss of sensitive information if backups are inadequate. The financial impact includes ransom payments, remediation costs, and reputational damage. Although the advisory marks the severity as low, the historical impact of Locky ransomware in Europe has been significant, especially for sectors with valuable data such as healthcare, finance, and government. The disruption caused by ransomware can also affect compliance with European data protection regulations like GDPR, potentially leading to legal and financial penalties if personal data is compromised or unavailable. The lack of known exploits in the wild at the time suggests a lower immediate threat, but the potential for resurgence or variant strains remains a concern.

European organizations should implement targeted measures to mitigate Locky ransomware risks beyond generic advice. These include: 1) Enforce strict email filtering and attachment scanning to block malicious macros and phishing emails, which are common Locky infection vectors. 2) Disable macros by default in Office applications and educate users about the risks of enabling macros from untrusted sources. 3) Maintain robust, offline, and regularly tested backups of critical data to enable recovery without paying ransom. 4) Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of identifying ransomware behaviors such as rapid file encryption. 5) Apply network segmentation to limit lateral movement if an infection occurs. 6) Conduct regular user awareness training focused on phishing and social engineering tactics. 7) Monitor threat intelligence feeds for updates on Locky variants or related campaigns to adapt defenses promptly.