SecneurX Analysts found the Encrypt Ransomware in the wild and analysed the sample. This ransomware exhibits several similarities and overlaps with Chaos Ransomware. Chaos is a customisable ransomware builder that emerged in underground forums, by falsely marketing itself as the .NET version of Ryuk despite sharing no such overlaps with the notorious counterpart. The fact that it’s offered for sale also means that any malicious actor can purchase the builder and develop their own ransomware strains, turning it into a potent threat.
Encrypt Ransomware encrypts files and appends its extension (".encrypt") to filenames. Also, it drops the "Read_it.txt" file that contains a ransom note. After executing the Encrypt ransomware all files and folders got encrypted and appended their filenames with a ".encrypt" extension. For Example a file titled as "Sep2019.docx" appeared as "Sep2019.docx.encrypt", "Jan2020.docx" as "Jan2020.docx.encrypt", and so on. "Use the IoCs outlined in this report to monitor for a Chaos infection, as well as connections to any suspicious infrastructure," the analysts recommended.
Screenshot of files encrypted by ENCRYPT Ransomware
Encrypt Ransomware Overview Encrypt ransomware notes inform victims that their files have been encrypted. It instructs victims to buy decryption software which will able to recover all files and folders that were encrypted. Victim has to pay $1500 for the software and the payment should be made in bitcoin and also an email address ("ransomware3535@gmail.com") mentioned in Ransomware note.
How does ransomware infect my computer? Malware (ransomware included) is spread using phishing and social engineering tactics. Malicious programs are typically presented as or bundled with ordinary content. Infectious files can be executables (.exe, .run, etc.), archives (ZIP, RAR, etc.), Microsoft Office and PDF documents, JavaScript, and so on. When a virulent file is executed, run, or otherwise opened - the infection process is jumpstarted. Screenshots of Encrypt Ransomware Text file (“Read_it.txt")
Ransomware Note (Read_it.txt) in Text
----> Chaos is multi language ransomware. Translate your note to any language <----
All of your files have been encrypted
Your computer was infected with a ransomware virus. Your files have been encrypted and you won't
be able to decrypt them without our help.What can I do to get my files back?You can buy our special
decryption software, this software will allow you to recover all of your data and remove the
ransomware from your computer.The price for the software is $1,500. Payment can be made in Bitcoin only.
How do I pay, where do I get Bitcoin?
Purchasing Bitcoin varies from country to country, you are best advised to do a quick google search
yourself to find out how to buy Bitcoin.
Many of our customers have reported these sites to be fast and reliable:
Coinmama - hxxps://www.coinmama.com Bitpanda - hxxps://www.bitpanda.com
ransomware3535@gmail.com
Payment informationAmount: 0.0990 BTC
IOC DETAILS 0d95169335558d5ebb0dc160e42453927a6a6071248fc38b7300872316bec628
What can you do to avoid being a ransomware victim?
As dangerous as ransomware is, simply being aware and staying updated with the latest ransomware trends can go a long way in securing your data and systems. Here are helpful tips on how you can defend yourself from a likely attack. Scrutinize emails & their attachments before opening them
Be wary of emails from unverified sources. You can check by communicating directly with the purported sender to confirm if they sent the messages. To check its validity, you can use SecneurX Sandbox to verify the sanity of the email.
Avoid clicking embedded links found in unverified emails Such social engineering tricks can lead to the download of ransomware. Additionally, be wary of sites that prompt you to enter a CAPTCHA code as this could be linked to a ransomware attack. To check its validity, you can use services like SecneurX Sandbox to verify the reputation of the site. Back up your important files While prevention is always better than the cure, having a backup of important files can at least lessen the potential damage done by a ransomware attack. While being locked out of your own system is always a bad thing, at least it's not a total disaster since you can always retrieve your important files. The 3-2-1 backup rule applies here—three backup copies of your data on two different media and one of those copies in a separate location. Regularly update software, programs, and applications
Updating them to the latest versions can provide an added layer of protection against online threats as some ransomware arrives via vulnerability exploits. Use a layered protection suite Doing so can detect threats before they enter your network. Security solutions like SecneurX ATP can block Infectious files (like executables (.exe, .run, etc.), archives (ZIP, RAR, etc.), Microsoft Office and PDF documents, JavaScript, and so on) by scanning them at the point of entry of the organisations (File uploads, USB file transfers, etc)