3301 Ransomware

The 3301 Ransomware is an encryption ransomware Trojan that is used to take over the victims' computers and demand the payment of a ransom. Like most encryption ransomware Trojans, the 3301 Ransomware will encrypt the contents of the victims' drives, making the victim's data inaccessible. The 3301 Ransomware will then demand a ransom from the victim in exchange for the decryption key required to recover the affected files. Security researchers advise computer users to take precautions against the 3301 Ransomware and numerous other threatening encryption ransomware Trojans that are active currently.

The 3301 Ransomware – A Senseless Name for an Effective Threat

The 3301 Ransomware seems to be related to the Karmen Ransomware, an RaaS (Ransomware as a Service) platform used to create customized ransomware Trojans. The 3301 Ransomware is a customized version of this encryption Trojan RaaS, and it is unknown who is behind the attack currently. The 3301 Ransomware is being distributed through the use of spam email messages. Victims will receive an email message tempting them to open an attached Microsoft Word file, which includes corrupted macro scripts that download and install the 3301 Ransomware onto the victim's computer. In 2017, this has become the preferred way of distributing encryption ransomware Trojans like the 3301 Ransomware. Because of this, learning how to handle email attachments safely, having an effective anti-spam method, and disabling macros and scripts in Microsoft Word and other software unless absolutely necessary, are all essential steps to take in preventing ransomware Trojan infections such as the 3301 Ransomware.

The 3301 Ransomware Ransom Demand

After encrypting the victim's data, the 3301 Ransomware will deliver its ransom note. To do this, the 3301 Ransomware will display its ransom message in a pop-up window, as well as change the infected computer's desktop wallpaper image. The following is the full text of the 3301 Ransomware ransom note:

'Ransomware 3301
! Attention !
All your documents, photos, databases
and other important files have been encrypted.
Only way to decrypt your files is to receive the private key and decryption program To receive the private key and decryption program go to any crypted folder inside there is the special file (DECRYPT_MY_FILES.HTML) with complete instructions how to decrypt your files.'

In its attack, the 3301 Ransomware will target commonly used file types associated with popular software such as Microsoft Office of MySQL. The 3301 Ransomware also will target photos, audio, and video files. The 3301 Ransomware will rename the affected files by adding the file extension '.3301' to each affected file's name. The 3301 Ransomware ransom note is delivered in the form of an HTML file that is dropped on the infected computer's desktop. This HTML file, named 'DECRYPT_MY_FILES.HTML' contains the text above, also advising computer users to connect to a website on the Dark Web using the TOR browser and paying a ransom of 0.00036 BTC to download the decryptor necessary to restore the affected files.

Dealing with a 3301 Ransomware Infection

Computer users should not accept paying the ransom the 3301 Ransomware demands in its ransom note. There is no assurance that the extortionists will respond and keep their promise after the victim pays up to $1000 USD for the decryptor. The decryptor delivered may not work, the con artists may ask for more money or ignore the victim altogether. Furthermore, the victim may be targeted for additional infections and paying these ransoms allows con artists to continue developing threats like the 3301 Ransomware. Instead, PC security analysts advise computer users to take steps to protect their data from threats like the 3301 Ransomware by having an effective backup system and a reliable anti-malware application that is fully up-to-date. Backups, especially, are the best protection against ransomware Trojans like the 3301 Ransomware since they allow the recovery of the affected files without making any ransom payment.