Ransomware

Recent forum discussions have shown some users got a ransomware attack on PCs connected to NAS (Network Attached Storage). The virus encrypts NAS-stored data, wraps it in archives, and puts up a password on them. This prevents victims from accessing artificially created archives and viewing what files have been affected by the infection. Unlike many other ransomware infections, 7even Security does not use any extension to modify file appearance. It does though create a text note called Please Read Me !!!.txt containing instructionы on how to return the encrypted data. According to the above-mentioned note, cybercriminals demand 0.04 BTC for file decryption. This amount has to be sent to the attached crypto address. Victims are also guided to notify swindlers about successful payment through their e-mail address (team.seven@zohomail.eu) and include a personal ID. Should victims refuse or ignore to pay the demanded ransom, cybercrooks threaten to sell all important data to interested figures. Because the infection is recent, there is not a lot of information on whether files can be decrypted or not. At the moment, the only best way to recover data completely is via backup copies of files. Otherwise, attempts to decrypt data alone are likely to turn in permanent damage of data and therefore loss.

Explus is a common file-encrypting virus. It assigns strong encryption keys to render files inaccessible until a ransom is paid. Software with such capabilities is often referred to as ransomware. During encryption, Explus Ransomware adds the .explus extension to the end of filenames. This is done to draw victims' attention to recognizing their files have been encrypted. For instance, a file like 1.pdf will change to 1.pdf.explus, and so forth with other affected files. After all data becomes no longer usable, the virus starts its attempts to blackmail victims into paying money for data return. Developers do it through the RECOVERY INFORMATION.txt text file that is created immediately at the end of encryption.

Soviet Locker is a ransomware program. Ransomware is a type of malware usually designed to encrypt system-stored files and blackmail victims into paying money for its return. Soviet Locker is a surprisingly different instance - the virus does not demand any money for decryption. Instead, it shows a pop-up window claiming the restricted files can be unlocked using a password. This password cannot be retrieved from cybercriminals due to a lack of contact information. The reason for that might be that Soviet Locker is still under development and can be updated with real demands for payment in the future. For now, files affected by Soviet Locker can be decrypted without the help of cybercriminals. Virus researchers managed to match the right password that works for the majority of victims. The password is c819381734f8s2748a8239j872hdhc7c8 and has to be entered into a field within the pop-up window. Once entered, all previously blocked data will become fully usable again. Note that after recovering access to files, it is also very important to make sure the virus is no longer operating inside of your system. Otherwise, it may continue encrypting other files or download more infections as well. Follow our instructions below to remove it and restore a safe computer experience eventually.

SunnyDay is the name of a devastating ransomware infection. It was developed to cause encryption of personal data and help its developers capitalize on it. After restricting access to files using the .SunnyDay extension, the virus starts blackmailing victims into paying a fee for decryption. This information is presented inside of a text note (!-Recovery_Instructions-!.txt) created upon encrypting targetted data. Victims are guided to contact developers using e-mail communication (restoreassistance_net@wholeness.business or restoreassistance_net@decorous.cyou) and pay for special decryption software. Cybercriminals warn that trying to use any third-party software to decrypt the data will result in the immediate damage of files. It is also stated that all encrypted files have been uploaded to servers of cybercriminals, which, in case of refusing to pay, will be forwarded (sold) to parties potentially interested in it. Additionally, victims are offered to send 2 or 3 non-important and get them decrypted for free. This is used by swindlers to show they are actually able to decrypt the data. Unfortunately, decrypting data without the help of cybercriminals is more likely to corrupt data and make it no longer decryptable. It is very possible that ransomware developers incorporated protection that detects any unauthorized attempts to modify data. Users can recover their data using a copy of files backed up on uninfected storage. Unfortunately, this does not abolish the threats of having collected data leaked to online resources.

If you are no longer able to access your files and see them appear like this 1.pdf.acepy, then you are most likely infected with Acepy Ransomware. It is an encryption virus designed to render files inaccessible and blackmail victims into paying the so-called ransom. The infection does so through a ransom note (ACEPY_README.txt) created upon successfully encrypting the targeted data. It also force-opens a Command Prompt window with information identical to the text file we mentioned above. The notes briefly describe how to recover blocked files. Victims have to contact Acepy developers through the AcepyRansom@protonmail.com e-mail address and purchase special decryption software for the price announced after establishing communication with them. While there is no definite information on how much swindlers require to pay, meeting their demands is highly unrecommended. This is because of cybercriminals' tendency to fool their victims and not send any promised decryption tools afterwards. Despite this, the initial virus developers might be the only figures able to fully decrypt your data. Using third-party decryption tools as an attempt to avoid paying the ransom often flows in no anticipated results.

Quantum is the name of a ransomware infection. It was purposefully developed to encrypt system-stored data and blackmail victims into paying money for its return. The virus uses military-grade algorithms to restrict users from accessing their own files. It also appends the .quantum extension to highlight access-blocked data. For instance, a file named 1.pdf will change to 1.pdf.quantum and drop its original icon. After this, Quantum Ransomware creates an HTML file called README_TO_DECRYPT.html. The file is meant to show instruction on returning the data.

Pandora is a ransomware infection previously known under the name of Rook Ransomware. The virus uses RSA-2048 algorithms to encrypt system-stored data and demand money for its decryption. In order to show that access to files has been restricted, cybercriminals assign the .pandora extension to each affected sample. For instance, a file named 1.pdf will change to 1.pdf.pandora and reset its original icon. Following this, the ransomware creates a text file (Restore_My_Files.txt) with instructions on how to recover the data. It says victims should contact developers (via contact@pandoraxyz.xyz) and pay for special decryption software. The price depends on how fast you write, as cybercriminals say. In case of refusal to buy the decryption, frauds behind Pandora Ransomware warn they will publish collected data on dark web markets. Victims can view what data has been collected in TOR Browser via a link provided in the note. While contacting cybercriminals, victims are also allowed to attach 3 encrypted files before paying the ransom. Pandora developers promise they will decrypt them for free to prove capabilities of their decoder. The ransom note is concluded with warnings against trying third-party means of decryption as it may cause permanent damage to data. In general, decrypting files without initial developers is almost impossible indeed.

TargetCompany is a new ransomware virus that made its presence known in January 2022. During system infection, the virus terminates a lot of essential Windows processes to prepare the soil for easier encryption of data. The research team made an analysis and concluded that TargetCompany Ransomware uses a combination of Chacha20 and AES-128 algorithms to write strong ciphers over the stored data. It also appends one of 3 different file extensions to each encrypted sample - .devicZz, .consultransom, or .avast. This means a file named 1.pdf can change to 1.pdf.devicZz, 1.pdf.consultransom, or 1.pdf.avast depending on individual cases. TargetCompany also populates each encrypted folder with a text note called RECOVERY INFORMATION.txt (How to decrypt files.txt for previous versions). A copy of the ransom note is also placed into this path C:\HOW TO RECOVER !!.TXT. As said in the note, users should buy a special decryption tool to return their data. To do this, victims are asked to send their personal ID to one of the e-mail addresses (recohelper@cock.li or mallox@tutanota.com). It is also allowed to send a couple of files for free test decryption of them. After this, cybercriminals promise to announce the price for the entire decryption and provide instructions on how to buy the decoder. As a rule, files affected by ransomware infections are almost impossible to be decrypted for free without the help of cybercriminals.