Ransomware

Discovered by MalwareHunterTeam, Spark is a ransomware virus designed to keep files at lock and blackmail victims into paying money to return them. This is done through the so-called encryption process when infections of such use strong military-grade algorithms to generate ciphers. As a result, data becomes no longer accessible to users. People attacked by Spark Ransomware will see their files change to something like this 1.pdf.Spark and reset their icons. After rendering all targetted files restricted, the virus displays a pop-up window containing ransom instructions. Cybercriminals say decryption is impossible without a special private key. This is why victims are guided to purchase the key by contacting developers via their e-mail address (notvalidemailadress.ransom@gmail.com). Swindlers also warn against doing modifications to files shutting down the PC, which may result in permanent data loss and system damage as well. There is a timer, within which, victims should contact developers and pay for decryption. However, extortionists do not specify what will happen after the time expires. Based on other ransomware analyses, many frauds threaten the collected data to be permanently deleted or leaked to dark web resources, though, it does not prove this is the case with Spart Ransowmare as well. It is unfortunate to acknowledge, but you are less likely to find a 100% working decryption tool for .Spark files.

Titancrypt is a ransomware-type infection. It encrypts system-stored data and demands victims to pay a small ransom of 20 Polish Zlotys (about 4,5 Dollars). During encryption, it adds the new .titancrypt to each encrypted file making it no longer accessible. For instance, a file previously titled as 1.png will change to 1.png.titancrypt and lose its original icon. Insturctions on how to pay the requested money can be found inside of ___RECOVER__FILES__.titancrypt.txt - a text file injected to each folder with encrypted data including your desktop. Along with this, it displays a pop-up window saying how many files have been encrypted. Unlike other infections of this type, the supposedly polish threat actor behind his Titancrypt Ransomware has written short and clear instructions on what victims should do. It is said to contact him via his discord (titanware#1405) and send 20 Polish Zlotys through PaySafeCard. Although the ransomware developer does not elaborate on this, paying the ransom should logically lead to full decryption of data. Many ransomware infections (unlike this) ask for ransoms ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Thus, users victimized by Titancrypt Ransomware got somewhat lucky since 4,5 Dollars is not a lot of money for many. You can pay this amount and get your data decrypted unless there are backup copies available. If you have your encrypted files backed up on external storage, then you can ignore paying the ransom and recover from backups after deleting the virus.

GUCCI is the name of a ransomware infection originating from the so-called Phobos family. What it does is encryption of system-stored data as well as demands to pay money for file decryption. Victims will be able to understand their files are locked through a new file appearance. For instance, a file like 1.xlsx to 1.xlsx.id[9ECFA84E-3208].[tox].GUCCI. The characters inside of the new file names can vary depending on the ID assigned to each victim. GUCCI Ransomware also creates two text files - info.txt and info.hta both of which describe ways of returning access to data. Cybercriminals say victims can decrypt their data by having negotiations with them. In other words, to buy a special decryption tool that will unlock access to restricted data. While the price is kept secret, victims are guided to contact swindlers via the TOX messenger. After this, victims will get further instructions on what to do and how to purchase the tool (in Bitcoins). In addition to this, developers provide an offer of 1 free file decryption. Victims can send a non-valuable encrypted file and receive it back fully operatable for free. Unfortunately, despite meeting the payment demands, some victims of other ransomware variants reported they ended up fooled and left with absolutely no promised decryption.

Black Basta is the name of a ransomware infection aimed more at corporate rather than ordinary users (financial firms, private companies, etc.). It, therefore, uses high-tier encryption standards to encipher data stored on a network making it no longer accessible. Victims infected with this virus will see their data change in the following way - 1.pdf to 1.pdf.basta, 1.xlsx to 1.xlsx.basta, and so forth with other encrypted data. After this, Black Basta creates a text note called readme.txt, which provides instructions on how to recover the data. Default desktop wallpapers will be replaced by the virus as well. As said in the note, victims can start the decryption process by visiting the attached Tor link and logging into the chat with their company ID. Going further, cybercriminals will give the necessary information and instructions on how to develop the process. Some victims reporting their case infection with Black Basta Ransomware showed that cybercriminals require 2 million dollars to pay for decryption. Note that this sum is likely to be variable depending on how big the infected company is and how much value the collected information comprises. In addition to everything mentioned, the extortionists threaten that if victims do not negotiate towards a successful deal or decline the offer intentionally, all gathered data will be subject to ending up published online. Sometimes the bigger danger of being infected is not losing data but rather risking to lose your business reputation.

Selena is a disruptive ransomware infection targeting primarily business networks. It encrypts network-stored data and demands victims to pay a monetary ransom for its return. During encryption, Selena alters the way original files appear - no longer accessible files acquire a uniquely generated victim's ID, the e-mail address of cybercriminals, and the .selena extension. To illustrate, a file initially titled as 1.xlsx will change to id[q2TQAj3U].[Selena@onionmail.org].1.xlsx.selena and reset its icon to blank. After this process comes to a close, the ransomware creates a file named selena.txt, which is a text note explaining how to recover the files. It is said there is no way to decrypt the restricted data other than directly negotiating with cybercriminals. To get further information, victims are guided to write to one of the following e-mail addresses (selena@onionmail.org or selena@cyberfear.com) and state their personal ID in the title. In order to get the necessary decoder and private keys, which will unlock access to data, victims are required to pay money (in bitcoins) for it. The price remains unknown and is likely to be calculated individually only after contacting the swindlers. In addition, cybercriminals offer victims to send 2 files containing no valuable information (under 5MB) and get the decrypted for free. This offer works as a guarantee measure proving they are actually able to decrypt your data. Unfortunately, options to decrypt files without the help of cybercriminals are less likely existent.

Pipikaki is a recent devastating ransomware infection reported by victims on forums. Malware of this type is also known as crypto-viruses, designed to encrypt system-stored data and blackmail victims into paying money for its return. Pipikaki does exactly the same renaming targetted files with the victim's ID and .@PIPIKAKI extension during encryption. For instance, a previously named file 1.pdf will change to 2.pdf.[8A56562E].@PIPIKAKI or similarly depending on a victim's ID. Instructions on how to return restricted files are then presented inside of a file named WE CAN RECOVER YOUR DATA.txt. The ransom note guides users to contact developers (via Skype, ICQ Live chat, or pipikaki@onionmail.org e-mail) and negotiate about returning the data. As a rule, many cybercriminals ask their victims to pay a certain amount of monetary ransom (most often in cryptocurrencies). It is also said that noncompliance with what swindlers demand will result in the publication of all sensitive data. They threaten to leak important business-related information (clients' data, bills, annual reports, etc.) which was collected from the encrypted machine/network.

Axxes is a ransomware virus. Infections of this type are designed to prevent users from accessing their personal data. This is done through the so-called encryption process usually followed by attempts to blackmail victims into paying money for data return. After successfully attacking a system, Axxes enciphers targeted files and renames them using the .axxes extension. To illustrate, a regular file like 1.png will change to 1.png.axxes and reset its icon as well. The rest of the data will be renamed based on the same pattern as well. Next, the virus creates two files containing decryption instructions (RESTORE_FILES_INFO.hta and RESTORE_FILES_INFO.txt). Cybercriminals say all business- and employee-related data has been both encrypted and uploaded to external servers. Should victims refuse to collaborate with the developers, the latter claim they hold their right to publish victims' data on specialized resources. To avoid this, victims are guided to open Tor Browser at the attached website address and contact swindlers to pay for decryption. The onion page also displays a number of tabs including what other companies have been compromised by the virus already. It is unfortunate, but for now, there are no free means to decrypt Axxes files completely. Furthermore, cutting all the ends with cybercriminals will definitely motivate them to leak your collected data.

Recently discovered by a malware researcher named Petrovic, GonnaCope is a ransomware infection able to encrypt system-stored data. Research showed that it also deletes and replaces some data with random and pointless files, which appear with the .cope extension. On the other hand, files encrypted by GonnaCope do not change in their appearance and remain exactly the same yet no longer accessible. To get access back to encrypted files, swindlers behind the virus guide victims to complete a 100$ transfer (in Bitcoin) to the crypto-address attached in the ReadMe.txt note. In addition, it also displays a cmd window with almost identical information. After sending the money, ransomware developers promise to provide their victims with a decryption key to return the data. Whether cybercriminals can be trusted or not is never without uncertainty. In general, frauds have a bad reputation since they are able to fool you and not send any promised decryption tools at the end. Either way, they are the only figures who have the ability to decrypt your data at this moment. Victims can avoid paying the ransom only if there are backup copies available on external devices. This way, they can be used to recover encrypted and no longer usable files. If you are not in favor of paying the required ransom and you do not have backups to use, you can still put your hand to using third-party tools - there is a chance they will be able to help under some circumstances.