New ransomware threat appears

A new type of ransomware is making the rounds. According to security firm Sophos, the Trojan - dubbed Troj/Ransom-A - threatens to delete one file from an infected computer every 30 minutes until the $10.99 ransom is paid via the Western Union money transfer service.

The malware activates itself and warns that it has hidden itself away and is undetectable unless a CIDN number is entered in the computer. Once entered, the Trojan promises to remove itself. If the malware refuses to go peacefully, the hacker helpfully gives a Yahoo! email address for anyone wanting technical support on how to remove the files.

 

The program also disables the Ctrl-Alt-Del key combination to prevent anyone trying to close the Trojan before it deletes files.

 

So-called ransomware is becoming a worrying trend in the development of viruses and other threats. For some time business have been subject to blackmail threats from criminal gangs threatening denial of service attacks against larger web sites. Now it seems that hackers are targeting individual users.

 

In March this year, Sophos warned of the Zippo Trojan that encrypted a victim's files which could not be unlocked unless a ransom of $300 was paid.

 

'This Trojan horse is designed to take your data hostage, and tries to scare users into paying up quickly by threatening to wipe files one-by-one,' commented Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos. 'Our concern is that this may be the beginning of a growing trend of malware designed to extort money from innocent users.'

 

Steve Malone

Ya know...it may just be me, but whenever I see a new thing like this, where people create viruses, malware, or whatever, and unleash it on people who're just using their damned computers...I get a strong urge to take the people responsible out on a boat in the middle of the Atlantic, start dumping chum in the water, and when a minimum of 5 large sharks show up, jab them with a sharpened USB plug-in, and give them a little shove over the side.

 

I have to agree with LoneWolf16.

 

No, really, I have to. He has a gun.

 

Oh... how I laughed...

He's not kidding. I know where you all live.

Can you come around, then? I need a lift next week ...

I agree with Lonewolf, gun or not.

Can you come around, then? I need a lift next week ...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My car can't traverse oceans...otherwise, sure, not like I'm doing anything.

The honest upright citizen in me thinks this is terrible.

 

The hooligan in me who's always out to make a quick buck can't help but saying to himself "Man, that's awesome!"

 

They can have my files. Seriously. Anyone who doesn't keep backups of their important things is at fault anyway.

I do't know how to back-up my stuff.

 

Also, I'm going to have to not agree with Lonewolf, as violence doesn't solve anything. I would like to take him out into the middle of the desert for an interesting and exciting chess mach.

It's always a few idiots who have to make life hard for the rest of us.

At least there's a point to ransomware.

Definitely.

 

I'm wondering how many people actually pay up and my mind's running rampant with quadruple digit figures extorted in seconds.

 

Probably a lot easier to get caught with Ransomware than other types of nasties though.

 

Meh.

It's really funny when you pretend to know about a certain topic, and by funny, I mean not funny.

paid via the Western Union money transfer service.

 

lol

Actually I do see your point about there being a purpose. Wrecking stuff for money or ransom does make more sense than the human excrement who wreck things just for wrecking it. One step up from chimps if you ask me. But I still don't approve.

 

I also fail to see how my 'not backing things up' should mean I ought to have my stuff vandalised. The responsibility is on the perp not on me. This isn't opportunistic housebreaking or car theft. This is pre-meditated.

It's like insurance Wals.

 

You know there's a strong possibility that your system will be compromised in the future, so you take steps to minimize the damage so you can rebuild.

Nonono, the ocean and shark thingie is way too soft a punishment. No these dudes needs to get a life sentence of male gang raping in the shower room at the worst of the worst US prison facilities. (and if they're not from the US, I'm sure we can find room over there anyway!) :angry:

How'd that sound?

Sounds like you lack perspective.

Actually I do see your point about there being a purpose. Wrecking stuff for money or ransom does make more sense than the human excrement who wreck things just for wrecking it. One step up from chimps if you ask me. But I still don't approve.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The organised criminals who target online assets (websites, etc) of rich corporates use the threat (and a small demonstration, usually, of a smurf DDoS attack) to extort them (typically tens of thousands of dollars at a time).

Sounds like you lack perspective.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What does that mean? That my vision is limited?

 

Oh and thanks for the condescending smiley, it's my favorite.

Nonono, the ocean and shark thingie is way too soft a punishment. No these dudes needs to get a life sentence of male gang raping in the shower room at the worst of the worst US prison facilities. (and if they're not from the US, I'm sure we can find room over there anyway!) :angry:

How'd that sound?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That even upset me, the shark-boy.

How does one catch this?

Nonono, the ocean and shark thingie is way too soft a punishment. No these dudes needs to get a life sentence of male gang raping in the shower room at the worst of the worst US prison facilities. (and if they're not from the US, I'm sure we can find room over there anyway!) :angry:

How'd that sound?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That even upset me, the shark-boy.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Flawless victory!

How does one catch this?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Um...

 

Did you get tested after we, you know, cybered? Because, well...

 

 

I'VE GOT IT OK!

 

There, I said it.

** fade to black **