Ransomware Alert: Bad Rabbit
A new widespread ransomware is spreading like in Europe. Named “Bad Rabbit,” is reportedly a new Petya-like targeted ransomware attack demanding 0.05 bitcoin as ransom from victims to unlock their systems.
The ransomware was distributed via download attacks, using fake Adobe Flash players installer to lure victims’ in to install malware unwittingly. Users should not install any software they are prompted to without their intervention.
Another Locky email campaign
The new campaign was discovered by App River. Potentially 23 million of emails were sent with subjects such as ‘please print’, ‘documents’ and ‘scans’ in an effort to spread Locky ransomware.
As with all Phishing campaigns end user education is your best defense. With this number o emails, even if it is overestimated by 90% there will be significant numbers of users caught but it and they potentially will send more mail messages.
The Mac malware market is growing
Previously limited almost exclusively to machines running Windows two new Ransomware variants have been detected that target Apple Mac users.
The first encrypts data and demands payment before files are released. This is similar to standard, the second is spyware that captures screenshots and keystrokes.
Both attacks are relatively new, and details on their origins are still sparse. Users are advised to keep regular backups of their data in case their devices are compromised and files are made inaccessible.
Both programs were uncovered by the security firms Fortinet and AlienVault, which found a portal on the Tor network.
WCry Ransomware Using NSA Exploit Leaked by Shadow Brokers running wild
Today security experts are warning of the continued spread of WCry and of numerous variants being released over the weekend.
Typical of Any Ransomware users should be vigilant with any emails that could be carrying a payload or be links to a payload. At this point Microsoft has not ruled out any attack vectors:
We haven’t found evidence of the exact initial entry vector used by this threat, but there are two scenarios we believe are highly possible for this ransomware family:
- Arrival through social engineering emails designed to trick users to run the malware and activate the worm-spreading functionality with the SMB exploit
- Infection through SMB exploit when an unpatched computer can be addressed in other infected machines
Microsoft has released a patch for Operating systems going as far back as XP:
Windows update MS17-010
Windows 10 Anniversary Update: Ransomware
Microsoft has improved its ransomware protections in the Windows 10 Anniversary Update in the face of increased infection rates and a doubling in the number ransomware variants released in 2016. The information is available Here.
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