Ransomware Attacks and Types – How Encryption Trojans Differ

Cybercriminals utilize malware, or malicious software, such as ransomware. When ransomware infects a computer or network, it either encrypts the data on the system or prevents access to it. Cybercriminals demand payment from their victims in the form of ransom to unlock the data. Security software and close observation are advised to prevent ransomware infections.

Locker ransomware

This kind of malware prevents the operation of simple computers. For instance, you might not be able to access the desktop and your keyboard and mouse may only be partially functional. This enables you to complete the payment by interacting with the window holding the ransom demand. Other than that, the computer is not functional. The good news is that locker virus typically aims to lock you out rather than focusing on important files. It is therefore improbable that your data will be completely destroyed.

Crypto ransomwar

Crypto ransomware seeks to encrypt your valuable files, including photos, videos, and documents, without interfering with your computer’s ability to do essential tasks. Because people can see their files but cannot access them, this causes panic. Because many users are unaware of the necessity of backups in the cloud or on external physical storage devices, crypto developers frequently include a countdown in their ransom demands, such as “If you don’t pay the ransom by the deadline, all your files will be deleted.” As a result, crypto ransomware can have a devastating effect. As a result, a lot of victims just pay the ransom to recover their files.

Locky

A group of organized hackers first employed the ransomware Locky in an attack in 2016. Locky was distributed via phony emails with malicious attachments, encrypting over 160 different file formats. Users downloaded and installed the ransomware on their machines after falling for the email scam. Phishing is a type of social engineering that is used to disseminate information. File types that are often utilized by engineers, testers, developers, and designers are the targets of the Locky ransomware.

WannaCry

In 2017, a ransomware outbreak known as WannaCry made its way to more than 150 nations. It was intended to take advantage of a Windows security flaw that the NSA had developed and that the hacker collective Shadow Brokers had disclosed. Worldwide, 230,000 machines were impacted by WannaCry. An estimated 92 million pounds were lost as a result of the attack, which affected one-third of all NHS hospitals in the UK. Users’ access was blocked, and a Bitcoin ransom was requested. Because the hacker used an operating system vulnerability for which a patch was available for a considerable amount of time at the time of the assault, the problem of outdated systems was made public. About US$4 billion in financial damage was inflicted globally by WannaCry.

Bad Rabbit

Drive-by attacks were the means by which the ransomware outbreak known as “Bad Rabbit” proliferated in 2017. The attacks were conducted using insecure websites. A person visits a legitimate website during a drive-by ransomware assault, not realizing that it has been infiltrated by hackers. All that’s needed for the majority of drive-by attacks is for a user to access a hacked page. In this instance, however, the infection was caused by executing an installer that included malware that was disguised. We refer to this as a malware dropper. Malware was installed on the user’s PC when Bad Rabbit requested that they launch a phony Adobe Flash installation.

Ryuk

In August 2018, the encryption Trojan Ryuk proliferated and rendered Windows operating systems incapable of recovering from a crash. Because of this, restoring the encrypted data without an external backup was not possible. Additionally, Ryuk encrypted network drives. The impact was enormous, and a large number of the targeted US firms paid the requested ransom amounts. Over $640,000 is estimated to have been damaged overall.

Shade/Troldesh

Spam emails with malicious links or file attachments were the primary means of disseminating the Troldesh or Shade ransomware assault in 2015. It’s interesting to note that the Troldesh perpetrators used email to speak with their victims directly. They gave discounts to victims they had developed a “good relationship” with. But rather than being the norm, this kind of action is the exception.

Jigsaw

The ransomware assault known as Jigsaw started in 2016. The name of the attack came from a picture it showed of the popular puppet from the Saw film series. As the ransom was not paid, Jigsaw ransomware erased more files every hour. The customers experienced more stress as a result of the usage of the scary movie image.

CryptoLocker

Ransomware known as CryptoLocker was initially discovered in 2007 and propagated through compromised email attachments. On compromised systems, the ransomware encrypted any crucial data after searching for it. The impacted computers were thought to be 500,000. Over time, security firms and law enforcement organizations were able to take over a global network of compromised personal computers that were being used to propagate CryptoLocker. This made it possible for businesses and authorities to intercept data being transferred over networks without the offenders noticing. In the end, this led to the creation of an internet portal where victims could get a key to access their information. This made it possible for their data to be freed without requiring them to give the perpetrators a ransom.

GoldenEye

In 2017, Petya’s resuscitation as GoldenEye led to a global ransomware outbreak. Known as WannaCry’s “deadly sibling,” GoldenEye attacked over 2,000 targets, including multiple banks and well-known Russian oil firms. After locking them out of their Windows PCs, GoldenEye took the concerning step of forcing the workers at the Chernobyl nuclear power facility to manually check the radiation level there.

GandCrab

Unsavory malware known as GandCrab threatens to reveal its victims’ sexual preferences. It requested a ransom, claiming to have hacked the victim’s webcam. The victim’s embarrassing video would be posted online if the ransom wasn’t paid. The GandCrab ransomware has been around since 2018, and it has since developed into several variants. Security companies and law enforcement organizations created a ransomware decryption tool as part of the “No More Ransom” campaign to assist victims in retrieving their private information from GandCrab.

B0r0nt0k

Crypto ransomware known as B0r0nt0k targets Linux and Windows-based servers in particular. This malicious ransomware attaches a “.rontok” file extension and encrypts the files on a Linux server. In addition to endangering files, the malware also modifies starting preferences, turns off features and apps, and adds files, registry entries, and programs.

Dharma Brrr ransomware

Crypto ransomware known as B0r0nt0k targets Linux and Windows-based servers in particular. This malicious ransomware attaches a “.rontok” file extension and encrypts the files on a Linux server. In addition to endangering files, the malware also modifies starting preferences, turns off features and apps, and adds files, registry entries, and programs.

MADO ransomware

Another kind of crypto ransomware is called MADO ransomware. This ransomware encrypts data, which is then given the “.mado” extension and becomes unopenable.