CS:GO Ransomware

The CS:GO Ransomware was created by the same people behind the MC Ransomware, also known as the Minecraft Ransomware.The CS:GO Ransomware's creators, known as NATroutter, have released several versions of what appears to be a very rudimentary ransomware threat. The CS:GO Ransomware and other variants released by the same people will claim to encrypt the victim's data or will try to lock the affected computer with the mission of forcing the victim to play a video game to restore access to the affected computer. While the MC Ransomware forces its victims to play Minecraft, the CS:GO Ransomware demands that the victim plays CS:GO, a popular first-person shooter. The victim is forced to play the game for a certain amount of time before the victim's data is restored… at least that is how the CS:GO Ransomware is supposed to work. The CS:GO Ransomware and other rudimentary ransomware released by NATroutter are not capable of carrying out effective encryption ransomware attacks onto their victims currently, despite their claims to do so.

The Unwelcomed Hoax of the CS:GO Ransomware

The CS:GO Ransomware is not capable of encrypting the victims' files, just like the other ransomware released by the people associated with the CS:GO Ransomware. There are several theories to why the CS:GO Ransomware, and its variants don't carry out effective attacks. On the one hand, the CS:GO Ransomware may have been created by con artists with very limited resources or goals. However, it is also possible that the CS:GO Ransomware may function as a test for a more advanced encryption Trojan. It would not be difficult for its developers to improve or update the CS:GO Ransomware so that it carries out an attack that involves file encryption, obfuscation and large ransom payments. Furthermore, threats like the CS:GO Ransomware may be used to test distribution networks and methods to see how far the con artists can reach with their ransomware attacks.

How the CS:GO Ransomware Carries out Its Attack

The CS:GO Ransomware can be recognized easily because it delivers a program window to the victim's computer. The CS:GO Ransomware's program window is titled 'CS:GO Ransomware // made by NATroutter ( NATroutter.net || BeaverSquad.net )' and includes images from CS:GO, as well as a timer that measures how much time the victim has played this game. Once the victim has played the required amount of time, the program window will disappear. Due to the reasons above, computer users need to take steps to protect their computers from threats like the CS:GO Ransomware and remove all traces of the CS:GO Ransomware with the help of a dedicated security program that is fully up-to-date.

Some Details about Threats Like the CS:GO Ransomware

While the CS:GO Ransomware may have been created to harass computer users or as a prank, threats like the CS:GO Ransomware should be taken seriously. Ransomware threats are becoming more common increasingly, especially due to the rise of RaaS (Ransomware as a Service) platforms, ransomware builders and open source ransomware engines. Most of these threats use a strong encryption algorithm to make the victim's files inaccessible, targeting essential user-generated files with file extensions such as the following:

.3dm, .3g2, .3gp, .7zip, .aaf, .accdb, .aep, .aepx, .aet, .ai, .aif, .as, .as3, .asf, .asp, .asx, .avi, .bmp, .c, .class, .cpp, .cs, .csv, .dat, .db, .dbf, .doc, .docb, .docm, .docx, .dot, .dotm, .dotx, .dwg, .dxf, .efx, .eps, .fla, .flv, .gif, .h, .idml, .iff, .indb, .indd, .indl, .indt, .inx, .jar, .java, .jpeg, .jpg, .js, .m3u, .m3u8, .m4u, .max, .mdb, .mid, .mkv, .mov, .mp3, .mp4, .mpa, .mpeg, .mpg, .msg, .pdb, .pdf, .php, .plb, .pmd, .png, .pot, .potm, .potx, .ppam, .ppj, .pps, .ppsm, .ppsx, .ppt, .pptm, .pptx, .prel, .prproj, .ps, .psd, .py, .ra, .rar, .raw, .rb, .rtf, .sdf, .sdf, .ses, .sldm, .sldx, .sql, .svg, .swf, .tif, .txt, .vcf, .vob, .wav, .wma, .wmv, .wpd, .wps, .xla, .xlam, .xll, .xlm, .xls, .xlsb, .xlsm, .xlsx, .xlt, .xltm, .xltx, .xlw, .xml, .xqx, .xqx, .zip.

Preventive measures, such as using a skilled security program that is fully up-to-date and having file backups can help limit the extent of these attacks.