New Ransomeware is running loose!

[Neimrok]

The worst part of the story is that this attack was pretty unuseful, as the pirates won't get many money with their malware, because the links provided to pay the asked ransom have been deleted and then, the victims who want to pay to recover their datas can't do it.
So, the hackers won't get money any longer and the victims will keep on being stuck with their encrypted files.

[parkdalegardener]

Depends upon weather or not the extortion of money was the actual motive in releasing this foolishness yet again.

[Agent0013]

Can this encrypt encrypted files?

[Neimrok]

According to an article I just read, some experts who analyzed the malware said it's a program that looks like a ransomware but in fact, it's intended to destroy datas.
They say it's not a ransomware because the private keys the victims must send when they pay the ransom don't allow to get a right code to decrypt their datas.
So, the real purpose would be to encrypt the datas to make them unusable and to make sure the victims won't be able to decrypt them later.
In that case, it might explain why the hackers don't seem to be interested in money.

[KyotoKid]

 @Neimrok ...That is what I read on a couple tech sites as well. This was in effect wholesale cyber terrorism meant just to to trash systems and internal networks in order to disrupt commerce and services. It was particularly targeted at large companies and operations such as airports where (as the articles and comments here have mentioned) managers are reluctant to perform full upgrades of all systems on the network and those networks cannot be shut down.  With regards to facilities such as airports or medical centres, this becomes an issue of health and safety as well.

Indeed we need to get to the root of this rather than just the symptoms.  A month or so ago I read that there are actually online "marketplaces" where even wannabe hackers can get their hands on their latest malware/ransomware for a price (and it is often not that high).  These sites need to be located, shut down, and their operators arrested.  I am sure that the powers that be in whatever country people live in also have the mechanisms to locate where these attacks are coming from and immediately prompt the authorities in that locale to take action.

Maybe what we need a multinational accord dedicated to rooting this threat out and letting the perpetrators know they have no "safe haven".

[thelufias]

As mentioned....the best way to stay safe is always stay up to date with ALL programs....especially the OS such Win 10 etc.

Plus it helps to have a good program that protects against Ransomware and Malware...and make sure it's up to date.  My Malwarebytes Pro just had a new update this morning.  As did McAfee Live.....

It's a pain to update....but a lot less of a pain then not being up to date and having to begin all over.

[Aelin]

But it looks like some computers were updated from the last attack. And they were victims like non updated.
Anyway if the thing is passed by mail, the best thing is always to be sure it's really the people you know who sent you - or a partnair in affair. Because finally the weak link is human.

[thelufias]

Didn't hear about that but could be....Depends on the system being used also in some cases.  But better safe than sorry...STAY UPDATED....even if it does take 2 days to update Win 10

And yes...if you don't know the mail...or if you see something like "Your Amazon Order Has Been Cancelled" and you didn't order anything.....don't touch it......Just saying LOLOL....

[Aelin]

They can always send something from Amazon, I'm not on
What annoy me it's my professionnal mail; it seems somebody has idea to sale my address and now I receive mails with in the title... viagra   But all is in spams from the day one. Because the mailbox system isn't performant to stop these mails.

[DarkAngel]

Malwarebytes is a great proggie but since they went to put all the good stuff in the pro version, I had to uninstall cause I can't afford the pro version.

I only have Avast on Mac and AVG (the hog that it is) on PC