FastWind Ransomware
The FastWind Ransomware is a brand-new Trojan designed to encrypt users' data and then blackmail with a ransom fee in exchange for a tool that is meant to decrypt the affected files.
Propagation and Encryption
There are several distribution methods that appear to be utilized by the majority of ransomware authors. These include bogus software updates and downloads, corrupted advertisements, torrent trackers, fake social media pages and posts, phishing emails that contain fraudulent links or macro-laced attachments, etc. After infiltrating your computer, the FastWind Ransomware will begin locking your files. This data-locker is likely to go after your documents, images, audio files, videos, databases, archives, presentations, spreadsheets and many other filetypes. The more files the FastWind Ransomware encrypts, the more likely it is for the attackers to get paid. When a file undergoes the encryption process of the FastWind Ransomware, its name will be automatically changed. This data-locker appends a '.FastWind' extension to the newly locked files. This means that a file named 'growling-thunder.mp3' will be renamed to 'growling-thunder.mp3.FastWind.'
The Ransom Note
Next, the ransomware threat drops a note on the user's desktop. In the case of the FastWind Ransomware, the name of the file containing the attackers' message is 'ransomware.txt.' The FastWind Ransomware's ransom note is rather long. In the note, the attackers state that they are willing to decrypt one file free of charge. Of course, they state that the file must not contain any valuable information. The creators of the FastWind Ransomware ask to be contacted via email – ‘fastwindGlobe@protonmail.com' and ‘fastwindGlobe@mail.ee.' The attackers claim that the user needs to contact them to receive information regarding the demanded ransom fee. They also warn users against using any other methods to decrypt their data.
There is no reason to trust the word of cybercriminals. It is likely that they will try to trick you and never deliver their end of the deal. Instead of wasting your money paying cyber crooks, it is better to consider investing in a legitimate, modern anti-virus software suite that will remove the FastWind Ransomware from your PC and keep your system safe in the future.
