What kind of malware is MrBeast?

MrBeast ransomware is malware designed to encrypt files to extract money from victims. Additionally, this ransomware renames files by appending the ".MrBeastOfficial@firemail.cc-MrBeastRansom" extension and provides two ransom notes (displays a pop-up message and creates a text file named "MrBeastChallenge.txt").

An example of how MrBeast ransomware changes filenames: it renames "1.jpg" to "1.jpg.MrBeastOfficial@firemail.cc-MrBeastRansom", "2.png" to "1.jpg.MrBeastOfficial@firemail.cc-MrBeastRansom", and so forth. It is important to clarify that MrBeast is an online alias of a popular YouTuber who has nothing to do with the ransomware.

What kind of malware is Arcus?

We have examined Arcus and found that it is ransomware with two variants, one of which is based on Phobos ransomware. It encrypts files and appends an extension to filenames (the extension depends on the ransomware variant). Also, Arcus provides a ransom note (the Phobos variant generates an "info.txt" file and displays a pop-up window; the second one drops the "Arcus-ReadMe.txt" file).

The Phobos variant renames files by appending the victim's ID, an email address, and the ".Arcus" extension to filenames. For instance, it renames "1.jpg" to "1.jpg.id[9ECFA84E-3537].[arcustm@proton.me].Arcus" and "2.png" to "2.png.id[9ECFA84E-3537].[arcustm@proton.me].Arcus". The second variant appends "[Encrypted].Arcus" to filenames (e.g., "1.jpg[Encrypted].Arcus").

What kind of malware is DARKSET?

DARKSET is a malicious program categorized as ransomware. It is designed to encrypt files and demand ransoms for their decryption.

On our testing system, DARKSET encrypted files and added a ".DARKSET" extension. For example, a file initially named "1.jpg" looked like "1.jpg.DARKSET", "2.png" as "2.png.DARKSET", etc. After this process was completed, the ransomware changed the desktop wallpaper and created a ransom-demanding message titled "ReadMe.txt".

Romanian cybersecurity company Bitdefender has released a free decryptor to help victims recover data encrypted using the ShrinkLocker ransomware. The decryptor is the result of a comprehensive analysis of ShrinkLocker's inner workings, allowing the researchers to discover a "specific window of opportunity for data recovery immediately after the removal of protectors from BitLocker-encrypted

Corner Bowl Software Corporation announces the release of Corner Bowl Server Manager 2022 (CBSM 2022) today. - 12x Faster Log Management and Ransomware Attack Monitoring Tool.

The growing incidents of ransomware attacks like the Colonial Pipeline breach highlight the need for automated anti-malware remediation solutions such as SpyHunter.

Here's what you can do after a hacker strikes.

In today's world, malware has become a part and threat to our computer systems. All electronic devices are very susceptible/vulnerable to various threats like different types of malware. There is one subset of malware called ransomware, which is majorly used to have large financial gains. The attacker asks for a ransom amount to regain access to the system/data. When dynamic technique using machine learning is used, it is very important to select the correct set of features for the detection of a ransomware attack. In this paper, we present two novel algorithms for the detection of ransomware attacks. The first algorithm is used to assign the time stamp to the features (API calls) for the ordering and second is used for the ordering and ranking of the features for the early detection of a ransomware attack.

Aim/Purpose : Share research finding about ransomware, depict the ransomware work in a format that commonly used by researchers and practitioners and illustrate personal case experience in dealing with ransomware. Background: Author was hit with Ransomware, suffered a lot from it, and did a lot of research about this topic. Author wants to share findings in his research and his experience in dealing with the aftermath of being hit with ransomware. Methodology: Case study. Applying the literature review for a personal case study. Contribution: More knowledge and awareness about ransomware, how it attacks peoples’ computers, and how well informed users can be hit with this malware. Findings: Even advanced computer users can be hit and suffer from Ransomware attacks. Awareness is very helpful. In addition, this study drew in chart format what is termed “The Ransomware Process”, depicting in chart format the steps that ransomware hits users and collects ransom. Recommendations for Practitioners : Study reiterates other recommendations made for dealing with ransomware attacks but puts them in personal context for more effective awareness about this malware. Recommendation for Researchers: This study lays the foundation for additional research to find solutions to the ransomware problem. IT researchers are aware of chart representations to depict cycles (like SDLC). This paper puts the problem in similar representation to show the work of ransomware. Impact on Society: Society will be better informed about ransomware. Through combining research, illustrating personal experience, and graphically representing the work of ransomware, society at large will be better informed about the risk of this malware. Future Research: Research into solutions for this problem and how to apply them to personal cases.

With ransomware attacks on high profile businesses like Colonial Pipeline and JBS Foods in the headlines, construction managers at organizations of all sizes are increasingly asking, “Are we vulnerable too?” or even “Are we next?”

Check Point Research (CPR) has released a report revealing that ransomware remains the top cyber threat. RansomHub has quickly emerged as the fastest-growing group, operating through Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS).

As the UK mulls new rules for ransomware disclosure, what would be the wider implications of such a move, how would cyber-insurance come into play, and how might cybercriminals respond?

Blanket bans on ransomware payments are a much-debated topic in cybersecurity and policy circles. What are the implications of outlawing the payments, and would the ban be effective?

Novice ransomware group Embargo is testing and deploying a new Rust-based toolkit

Failing to follow basic cybersecurity hygiene is leaving many global brands, along with their third-party suppliers and customers, open to possible cyberattacks, ransomware, email scams, and more.

Ransomware has evolved into an ecosystem with multiple players and an expanded threat model. Ransomware groups now deploy a double extortion technique, where they both encrypt and exfiltrate their victims’ data. The Tenable Security Research Team has released a report that enumerates common vulnerabilities exploited by ransomware affiliates and groups. The Ransomware Ecosystem report enables organizations to quickly scan for the vulnerabilities commonly exploited by ransomware groups.

Organizations with effective Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery plans are protected against threats to availability of data, which can come in many forms, such as natural disasters, hardware failures, or malicious attacks. These organizations could recover operations from a traditional ransomware attack without paying the ransom. However, the vulnerabilities that gave ransomware groups the opportunity to successfully penetrate the infrastructure may still leave organizations open to significant risk. Like any good business, ransomware players discovered the advantage of threatening data confidentiality by publishing samples of their targets’ sensitive data and threatening to expose all the data unless they are paid.

Threat actors understand the economic advantage of investing in the ransomware ecosystem, becoming more sophisticated and efficient over time. Organizations often struggle to secure a budget for resources needed to protect their infrastructure and prevent attacks from succeeding.

The Ransomware Ecosystem report displays assets by plugin family along with associated vulnerabilities. Operations teams use this information to evaluate risk based on the organization’s business priorities. The ability to rapidly mitigate vulnerabilities requires data to be presented in a concise manner focused on findings that pose the greatest risk to the organization. Risk managers leverage risk-based vulnerability management platforms to prioritize mitigation efforts.

This report is available in the Tenable.sc Feed, a comprehensive collection of dashboards, reports, Assurance Report Cards, and assets. The report can be easily located in the Tenable.sc Feed under the category Compliance & Configuration Assessments. The report requirements are:

• Tenable.sc 5.18.0
• Nessus 8.14.0

Tenable.sc enables organizations to quickly identify and locate vulnerabilities in their infrastructure.This report displays the most common vulnerabilities sorted by platform type that are commonly exploited by ransomware groups. Security leaders need to SEE everything, PREDICT what matters most and ACT to address cyber risk and effectively align cybersecurity initiatives with business objectives.

Chapters

Executive Summary Chapter – Contains information from the Ransomware Ecosystem Dashboard that uses the CVE and Plugin Family filters to display counts of the vulnerabilities and assets that have been affected by ransomware.

Linux Chapter  – Contains charts and tables that group together Ransomware Ecosystem related CVEs for all Linux Operating Systems and includes an IP Detail for the hosts identified.

Windows Chapter  – Contains charts and tables that group together Ransomware Ecosystem related CVEs for all Windows Operating Systems and includes an IP Detail for the hosts identified.

Other Chapter  – Contains charts and tables that group together Ransomware Ecosystem related CVEs for all "Other" Operating Systems and includes an IP Detail for the hosts identified.

The CL0P Ransomware Group, also known as TA505, has exploited zero-day vulnerabilities across a series of file transfer solutions since December 2020. File transfer solutions often contain sensitive information from a variety of organizations. This stolen information is used to extort victims to pay ransom demands. In 2023, CL0P claimed credit for the exploitation of vulnerabilities in both Fortra’s GoAnywhere Managed File Transfer (MFT) and Progress Software’s MOVEit Transfer solutions.

Research conducted as part of security audits has revealed additional vulnerabilities. This dashboard contains a list of vulnerabilities known to be exploited by the CL0P ransomware group as well as other vulnerabilities that could be leveraged by CL0P and other threat actors. Operations teams can use this data to identify the assets affected by the associated CVEs targeted by the CL0P ransomware group. The following Nessus plugins identify the affected vulnerabilities:

•  90190: Progress MOVEit Transfer Installed (Windows)
• 176735: Progress MOVEit Transfer Web Interface Detection
• 176736: Progress MOVEit Transfer FTP Detection
• 176567: Progress MOVEit Transfer
• 177371: Progress MOVEit Transfer Critical Vulnerability (June 15, 2023)

The dashboard and its components are available in the Tenable.sc Feed, a comprehensive collection of dashboards, reports, assurance report cards and assets. The dashboard can be easily located in the Tenable Security Center Feed under the category Security Industry Trends.

The requirements for this dashboard are:

• Tenable Security Center 6.1.1
• Tenable Nessus 10.5.2

The Security Response Team (SRT) in Tenable Research digs into technical details and tests proof-of-concept attacks, when available, to ensure customers are fully informed of risks. The SRT also provides breakdowns for the latest vulnerabilities in the Tenable blog.

Tenable Research has posted the FAQ for MOVEit Transfer Vulnerabilities and CL0P Ransomware Gang blog post to provide the latest information about this threat.

Components

CL0P Ransomware Group MOVEit – This table displays assets that are vulnerable to recent targeted attacks by the CL0P Ransomware Group (aka TA505) related to Progress Software’s MOVEit Transfer solutions. The component specifically provides results for pluginIDs 90190, 176735, 176736, 176567, 177082, and 177371. These vulnerabilities are associated with a zero-day that is actively being exploited. The table displays the IP address, NetBIOS, DNS, and OS CPE of any identified vulnerable assets, and the Vulnerabilities severity bar.

CL0P Ransomware Group Fortra GoAnywhere MFT – This table displays assets that may be vulnerable to recent targeted attacks by the CL0P Ransomware Group (aka TA505) related to Fortra GoAnywhere Managed File Transfer (MFT). The component specifically provides results for pluginIDs 171845, 171558, 171771, and 113896. These vulnerabilities are associated with a zero-day that is actively being exploited. The table displays the IP address, NetBIOS, DNS, OS CPE of any identified vulnerable assets, and the Vulnerabilities severity bar. 

CL0P Ransomware Group Accellion File Transfer – This table displays assets that may be vulnerable to recent targeted attacks by the CL0P Ransomware Group (aka TA505) for CGI abuses related to Accellion Secure File Transfer. The component specifically provides results for pluginIDs 85007, 146927, and 154933. These vulnerabilities are associated with a zero-day that is actively being exploited by the CL0P Ransomware Group, also known as TA505. The table displays the IP address, NetBIOS, DNS, and OS CPE of any identified vulnerable assets, and the Vulnerabilities severity bars.

CL0P Ransomware Group Patched Assets – This table displays vulnerabilities that have been remediated related to recent targeted attacks by the CL0P Ransomware Group (aka TA505). The remediated vulnerabilities displayed are specifically related to the vulnerabilities related to Progress Software’s MOVEit Transfer solutions, Fortra GoAnywhere Managed File Transfer, and Accellion Secure File Transfer. These vulnerabilities are associated with a zero-day that is actively being exploited. The table displays the PluginID, Vulnerability Name, Plugin Family, Severity, and Total of remediated vulnerabilities.

As the size – and profits – of these companies continues to grow, they are likely to come under increasing levels of cyberattack.

Arcserve has released findings from its annual independent global research focusing on the healthcare sector's approach and experience of data protection, recovery, and ransomware readiness.

What kind of malware is Ymir?

Ymir is a ransomware-type program. It operates by encrypting files (using ChaCha20 cryptographic algorithm) and demanding ransoms for the decryption.

The filenames of files locked by Ymir are altered by being appended with an extension comprising a random character string. For example, a file initially titled "1.jpg" has appeared as "1.jpg.6C5oy2dVr6".

After the encryption is concluded, Ymir drops ransom notes – "INCIDENT_REPORT.pdf" – into each affected folder. This ransomware also displays another message in a full-screen that precedes the log-in screen.

Cybersecurity researchers have flagged a new ransomware family called Ymir that was deployed in an attack two days after systems were compromised by a stealer malware called RustyStealer. "Ymir ransomware introduces a unique combination of technical features and tactics that enhance its effectiveness," Russian cybersecurity vendor Kaspersky said. "Threat actors leveraged an unconventional blend

Last month, Sophos X-Ops reported several MDR cases where threat actors exploited a vulnerability in Veeam backup servers. We continue to track the activities of this threat cluster, which recently included deployment of a new ransomware. The vulnerability, CVE-2024-40711, was used as part of a threat activity cluster we named STAC 5881. Attacks leveraged compromised […]

Ransomeware attacks against health care organizations are happening at an alarmingly high rate in 2024, putting patient health at risk.

The ongoing saga of the BlackCat/AlphV ransomware gang continues, with a news report that the crew has shut down its servers after a controversial hack of an American healthcare services provider. Bleeping Computer says the gang’s data leak blog shut on Friday and the sites it uses to negotiate ransom payments closed today. This comes […]

Ransomware is behind the cyber attack on the city of Hamilton, Ont., the municipality’s city manager says. Marnie Cluckie told reporters Monday afternoon that the attack, which was detected the evening of Sunday, Feb. 25, was the result of ransomware. She wouldn’t say what strain of the malware the city has been hit with, how […]

This is not a drill. Companies and law enforcement agencies around the world have been left scrambling after the world’s most prolific ransomware attack hit over 500,000 computers in 150 countries over a span of only 4 days. The ransomware – called WannaCry, WCry, WannaCrypt, or WannaDecryptor – infects vulnerable computers and encrypts all of...… Continue Reading

Ransomware attacks are a growing threat in the digital world. These attacks can cripple businesses and individuals alike. Understanding how to avoid them is crucial for tech enthusiasts. This article explores advanced tips to safeguard your systems from ransomware. Ransomware encrypts

‘Besides demanding ransom from the victim, these evolved threat actors steal the encrypted data and sell it in the open market to make dual income’

Maze operators use virtual machines to spread the ransomware

Such attacks on hospitals “can be issues of life and death” World Health Organization head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who addressed the U.N. Security Council, said

Interview: Mrutyunjay Mahapatra, deputy MD and chief information officer, State Bank of India.

IT Services Giant Offers Update During Quarterly Financial Results Call
Cognizant estimates that the April ransomware attack that affected its internal network will cost the IT services firm between $50 and $70 million in losses, according to the company's latest financial results. Cognizant has said that the Maze ransomware gang is behind the attack.

IT Services Giant Offers Update During Quarterly Financial Results Call
Cognizant estimates that the April ransomware attack that affected its internal network will cost the IT services firm between $50 and $70 million in losses, according to the company's latest financial results. Cognizant has said that the Maze ransomware gang is behind the attack.

IT Services Giant Offers Update During Quarterly Financial Results Call
Cognizant estimates that the April ransomware attack that affected its internal network will cost the IT services firm between $50 and $70 million in losses, according to the company's latest financial results. Cognizant has said that the Maze ransomware gang is behind the attack.

IT Services Giant Offers Update During Quarterly Financial Results Call
Cognizant estimates that the April ransomware attack that affected its internal network will cost the IT services firm between $50 and $70 million in losses, according to the company's latest financial results. Cognizant has said that the Maze ransomware gang is behind the attack.

IT Services Giant Offers Update During Quarterly Financial Results Call
Cognizant estimates that the April ransomware attack that affected its internal network will cost the IT services firm between $50 and $70 million in losses, according to the company's latest financial results. Cognizant has said that the Maze ransomware gang is behind the attack.

IT Services Giant Offers Update During Quarterly Financial Results Call
Cognizant estimates that the April ransomware attack that affected its internal network will cost the IT services firm between $50 and $70 million in losses, according to the company's latest financial results. Cognizant has said that the Maze ransomware gang is behind the attack.

IT Services Giant Offers Update During Quarterly Financial Results Call
Cognizant estimates that the April ransomware attack that affected its internal network will cost the IT services firm between $50 and $70 million in losses, according to the company's latest financial results. Cognizant has said that the Maze ransomware gang is behind the attack.

IT Services Giant Offers Update During Quarterly Financial Results Call
Cognizant estimates that the April ransomware attack that affected its internal network will cost the IT services firm between $50 and $70 million in losses, according to the company's latest financial results. Cognizant has said that the Maze ransomware gang is behind the attack.

IT Services Giant Offers Update During Quarterly Financial Results Call
Cognizant estimates that the April ransomware attack that affected its internal network will cost the IT services firm between $50 and $70 million in losses, according to the company's latest financial results. Cognizant has said that the Maze ransomware gang is behind the attack.

IT Services Giant Offers Update During Quarterly Financial Results Call
Cognizant estimates that the April ransomware attack that affected its internal network will cost the IT services firm between $50 and $70 million in losses, according to the company's latest financial results. Cognizant has said that the Maze ransomware gang is behind the attack.

IT Services Giant Offers Update During Quarterly Financial Results Call
Cognizant estimates that the April ransomware attack that affected its internal network will cost the IT services firm between $50 and $70 million in losses, according to the company's latest financial results. Cognizant has said that the Maze ransomware gang is behind the attack.

IT Services Giant Offers Update During Quarterly Financial Results Call
Cognizant estimates that the April ransomware attack that affected its internal network will cost the IT services firm between $50 and $70 million in losses, according to the company's latest financial results. Cognizant has said that the Maze ransomware gang is behind the attack.

IT Services Giant Offers Update During Quarterly Financial Results Call
Cognizant estimates that the April ransomware attack that affected its internal network will cost the IT services firm between $50 and $70 million in losses, according to the company's latest financial results. Cognizant has said that the Maze ransomware gang is behind the attack.

IT Services Giant Offers Update During Quarterly Financial Results Call
Cognizant estimates that the April ransomware attack that affected its internal network will cost the IT services firm between $50 and $70 million in losses, according to the company's latest financial results. Cognizant has said that the Maze ransomware gang is behind the attack.

IT Services Giant Offers Update During Quarterly Financial Results Call
Cognizant estimates that the April ransomware attack that affected its internal network will cost the IT services firm between $50 and $70 million in losses, according to the company's latest financial results. Cognizant has said that the Maze ransomware gang is behind the attack.

IT Services Giant Offers Update During Quarterly Financial Results Call
Cognizant estimates that the April ransomware attack that affected its internal network will cost the IT services firm between $50 and $70 million in losses, according to the company's latest financial results. Cognizant has said that the Maze ransomware gang is behind the attack.