AWT ransomware – a virtual parasite that is similar to Snc ransomware and has emerged at the start of 2020
AWT ransomware is a dangerous program that aims to lock files with the .AWT extension and demands a Bitcoin ransom for the release of the decryption software. At the start of 2020, this parasite was first discovered by a cybersecurity researcher named Michael Gillespie who posts his findings on Twitter.[1] The added appendix also includes the user's unique ID and the developer's email address getdataback22@protonmail.com. So, in the end, all filenames will have something like this added: house.png.[2AF6578I][getdataback22@protonmail.com].AWT. AWT ransomware is not the only one of its kind, some similarities were found with another malicious string known as Snc ransomware.
AWT ransomware provides the ReadMe.txt ransom message where all the demands are written. The criminals encourage users to contact them via unlockdata22@protonmail.com email address and if no response is shown in 24 hours, the victim can write to the getdataback22@protonmail.com email. Then, the crooks require obtaining and paying the in Bitcoin cryptocurrency and offer to send them 5 files that altogether take no more space than 10MB. This way the cybercriminals want to provide proof of the decryption key's existence and encourage you to purchase it faster.
| Name | AWT ransomware |
|---|---|
| Type | Ransomware virus/malware |
| Founder | Michael Gillespie |
| Similar apps | This dangerous malware form appears to have some similarities to Snc ransomware |
| Appendix | Once the files are locked with an asymmetric or symmetric encryption cipher, all of the filenames get the .AWT appendix added |
| Ransom note | All the ransom demands and conditions are placed in the ReadMe.txt ransom note. Here, crooks urge to contact them via the provided email address and some small size files for the proof of the decryption tool's existence. The hackers also claim that the price depends on how fast the victim reaches out to them |
| Dangers | Despite the encryption of valuable information, the ransomware virus might bring trojans to the system. These cyber threats can steal personal information and money, destroy software and the PC |
| Spreading | The most popular distribution sources of ransomware infections are phishing email messages that provide the malicious payload in the form of an attachment, software cracks that can be downloaded from torrenting sites |
| Elimination | You should use only trustworthy programs for getting rid of this parasite. Make sure that the tool you choose is capable of detecting and eliminating such a dangerous virus |
| Repair tip | If you have found some signs of system compromisation, you can try initiating a repair process with the help of FortectIntego software |
AWT virus uses a unique encryption cipher such as a symmetric or asymmetric one and the key differs for each victim which really hardens the decryption process. Nevertheless, the criminals store both encryption and decryption keys on remote servers so that they could be reachable for anyone except their original owners (the hackers).
There are also other ways how AWT ransomware might try to harden the decryption process for you. This cyber threat can execute specific PowerShell commands that delete or permanently damage the Shadow Volume Copies[2] of encrypted data so you would not be able to use any third-party software for data recovery that requires the Shadow Copies to be safe.
Nevertheless, the criminals who are responsible for the creation of AWT ransomware, write in the ransom note that the price of the decryption tool depends on the time when the victim contacts the hackers. This way users are pushed to reply in a shorter amount of time by making the wrong decision. Here is how the entire Readme.txt message looks like:
[+] All Your Files Have Been Encrypted [+]
[-] Do You Really Want To Restore Your Files?
[+] Write Us To The E-Mail : unlockdata22@protonmail.com
[+] If you did not get any response until 24 hours later,Write to this E-Mail : getdataback22@protonmail.com
[-] Write Your Unique-ID In The Title Of Your Message.
[+] Unique-ID : [redacted 8 uppercase hex] [-] You Have To Pay For Decryption In Bitcoins.
[-] The Price Depends On How Fast You Write To Us.
[-] After Payment We Will Send You The Decryption Tool
That Will Decrypt All Your Files.
_______________________________________________________[+] Free Decryption As Guarantee [+]
[-] Before Paying You Can Send Us Up To 5 Files For
Free Decryption, The Total Size Of Files Must Bee Less
Than 10MB, (Non Archived) And Files Should Not Contain
Valuable Information (Databases, Backups, Large Excel
-Sheets, Etc).
_______________________________________________________[+] How To Obtain Bitcoins [+]
[-] The Easiest Way To Buy Bitcoins Is LocalBitcoins
Site : https://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins
You Have To Register, Click ‘Buy Bitcoins’, And Select
The Seller By Payment Method And Price.
[-] Also You Can Find Other Places To Buy Bitcoins And
Beginners Guide Here:
http://coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins
_______________________________________________________[+] Attention! [+]
[-] Do Not Rename Encrypted Files.
[-] Do Not Try To Decrypt Your Data Using Third Party
-Software, It May Cause Permanent Data Loss.
[-] Decryption Of Your Files With The Help Of Third
Parties May Cause Increased Price (They Add Their Fee
To Our) Or You Can Become A Victim Of A Scam._____________________AWT_Ransomware_______________________
AWT ransomware also tries to scare its victims by claiming that many things can go wrong if they do not choose to follow the criminals' demands. These people urge not to rename encrypted files and not to try using third-party software as it can relate in permanent data loss, scamming or increase the price demanded for the decryption program.
However, we recommend not believing in these claims as most of them are false. AWT ransomware is aimed to scare you as this is one of the hackers' tactics to receive the ransom price in a faster way. Rather than trusting the crooks and truly risking to get scammed, you can try some data recovery alternatives that have been added to the end of this page.
Even though the ransom amount is not told by AWT ransomware, the price can vary anywhere from $50 to $2000 or more. However, these people are likely to demand a ransom in the Bitcoin cryptocurrency as such transfers keep the process anonymous and safe for tracking. The same goes for other types of cryptocurrencies too.
Other things that AWT ransomware might be responsible for is booting itself within every computer startup, disabling some types of antivirus software, injecting misleading entries into the Registry and running suspicious tasks in the Task Manager such as searching for encryptable documents every 30 minutes (or any other time interval).
Nevertheless, AWT ransomware can aim to target your Windows hosts file that can relate in permanent damage to this component. The criminals perform such activity as they want to prevent you from visiting cybersecurity-related websites and forums where you might get valuable information on the decryption and ransomware removal processes.
Furthermore, AWT ransomware can bring other malicious infections into the computer system. The ransomware makes your computer system more vulnerable to additional cyber threats and distributed Trojan horses very often. If you end up with this type of threat, you might experience permanent data loss, software damage, and monetary thefts.
If you want to avoid this risk, you have to remove AWT ransomware as you spot the first symptoms of this infection. Note that the manual method might not be helpful here so you should employ reliable software for the elimination process. Also, if your computer system has experienced any type of damage, you can try repairing it with a tool such as FortectIntego.
Also, note that AWT ransomware removal comes first before data recovery, otherwise, your effort will be useless as your files and documents will get encrypted again. Once you get rid of the cyber threat and fix al damaged entries, scroll down to the end of this page where you will find some data recovery techniques that might allow you to restore at least some files.
Email spam and software cracks might hold ransomware
Technology specialists from LesVirus.fr[3] claim that ransomware viruses are distributed through many different sources, however, the most popular ones are phishing email messages and cracked programs. Email spam is often delivered to random users where the crooks pretend to be from reliable organizations, agencies, and companies such as FedEx.
The phishing message comes with a malicious attachment that is usually provided as some type of order message but truly executes the ransomware infection when opened. Regarding this fact, you should always check the sender, the letter's content, and scan all attached files and documents with an AV tool before opening.
Continuously, ransomware infections get delivered through unsecured sources such as peer-to-peer networks[4] that hold a lot of software cracks. Torrenting networks are not the most reliable services to use while downloading some type of program or movie. Better get all of your products from official websites and the original developers.
In addition, ransomware viruses can get delivered through infectious advertisements and hyperlinks that are found online. You should especially be aware of fake software updates, e.g. flash player, that can be disguised malware. Also, always have an antivirus tool running so that it would be capable of warning you if something malicious occurs.
The automatical AWT ransomware termination method
AWT ransomware removal requires cleaning the entire computer system from suspicious processes, malicious entries, and other components. These steps can easily be mixed up or skipped by computer users, so we recommend eliminating the cyber threat with reliable automatical software only.
If you are having trouble to detect or remove AWT ransomware from your Windows computer system, you can boot the machine in Safe Mode with Networking or via System Restore to diminish the block of antivirus tools and deactivate the ransomware virus from carrying out malicious processes.
When AWT ransomware is gone, it is time to think about some data recovery possibilities. We strongly advise not to pay the crooks the demanded ransom price as you might easily get scammed by these people. Instead, check the data recovery steps that have been added to the end of this article.
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