ScareCrow ransomware is now emerging as a new ransomware family attack against Windows systems. ScareCrow attacks are relatively widespread in Germany, India, Italy, Philippines, Russia, and the U.S. The ransom note instructs victims to contact the attacker using Telegram channels.
ScareCrow ransomware encrypts files and appends its extension (".CROW") to filenames. Also, it drops the "readme.txt" file that contains a ransom note. After executing the ScareCrow ransomware all files and folders got encrypted and appended their filenames with a ".CROW" extension. For Example a file titled as "Sep2019.docx" appeared as "Sep2019.docx.CROW", "Jan2020.docx" as "Jan2020.docx.CROW", and so on.
Screenshot of files encrypted by ScareCrow ransomware
ScareCrow Ransomware Overview
ScareCrow ransomware notes inform victims that their files have been encrypted. It instructs victims to contact through telegram and also mentions a channel “@ScareCrowRestore1” in readme.txt
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.
Screenshot of ScareCrow Ransomware Text file (“readme.txt”)
Translated readme.txt
ScareCrow encrypted your files!
To restore contact us in telegram(desktop.telegram.org): @ScareCrowRestore1
@ScareCrowRestore2 @ScareCrowRestore3
IOC DETAILS
7f6421cdf6355edfdcbddadd26bcdfbf984def301df3c6c03d71af8e30bb781f
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 & its 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, applications
Updating them to the latest versions can provide an added layer of protection against online threats as some ransomware arrive 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)