Insom Ransomware

In an era where digital threats are increasingly sophisticated and widespread, protecting your devices from malware has never been more critical. Cybercriminals constantly evolve their tactics, and the latest ransomware threat, known as the Insom Ransomware, shows clearly the dangers lurking online. This threatening software is designed to encrypt your files, making them inaccessible and unusable until a ransom is paid. Understanding how the Insom Ransomware operates and implementing robust security measures are essential steps in safeguarding your data and digital assets.

The Insom Ransomware: A New Variant of an Old Foe

The Insom Ransomware is a newly discovered variant of the notorious Makop Ransomware family. Like its predecessors, Insom encrypts files on compromised systems and demands payment for their decryption. Once it infects a device, it locks files and changes their names by appending a unique identifier, the attackers' email address, and a '.insom' extension. For example, a file initially named '1.png' would be altered to '1.png.[2AF20FA3].[insomrans@outlook.com].insom.'

After encryption, the ransomware drops the demands of the threat actors as a ransom note named '+README-WARNING+.txt' on the victim's desktop. Alongside it, it also changes the desktop wallpaper to stress the urgency of the situation further. The ransom note is brief but threatening, informing victims that their files have been encrypted and stolen. The attackers warn that failure to contact them will result in the leaking of the stolen data on their Tor network site.

The Dangers of a Ransom Payment: Why Compliance Isn’t the Solution

While the idea of paying the ransom to recover your data might seem tempting, experts strongly advise against it. There is no assurance that paying the demanded ransom will end up with the decryption of your files. Cybercriminals often fail to deliver the promised decryption keys or software even after receiving payment, leaving victims with encrypted files and no recourse. Moreover, paying the ransom only fuels the illegal activities of these criminals, funding further attacks and encouraging the proliferation of ransomware.

It's important to note that once files are encrypted by the Insom Ransomware, their recovery without the attackers' decryption tools is nearly impossible unless the ransomware contains significant flaws, which is rarely the case. The best course of action is to prevent the ransomware from spreading further and remove it from your system, although this will not restore already compromised files.

Understanding the Spread: How the Insom Ransomware Infiltrates Systems

The Insom Ransomware, like many other malware threats, primarily spreads via phishing and social engineering tactics. Cybercriminals often disguise malicious files as legitimate software or bundle them with other programs. These infected files can take various forms, including archives (ZIP, RAR), executables (.exe, .run), documents (Microsoft Office, PDF), and even JavaScript.

Common distribution methods include:

• Phishing Emails: Cybercriminals often send emails with malicious attachments or links, masquerading as legitimate communications from trusted entities.
• Suspicious Downloads: Malware can be hidden in files downloaded from unofficial sources, such as free file-hosting sites, P2P networks, and other untrustworthy download sites.
• Trojans: Some malware spreads via backdoor or loader-type trojans, which can deliver additional payloads, including ransomware.
• Drive-By Downloads: These stealthy attacks occur when visiting compromised websites that automatically download unsafe software without the user's knowledge.
• Network Propagation: Certain ransomware variants can self-propagate through local networks or via removable storage devices like USB flash drives.

Best Practices for Defending against Ransomware

Given the destructive potential of the Insom Ransomware and other similar threats, it's crucial to adopt strong security practices to protect your devices and data. Here are some essential steps to boost your defense against ransomware:

1. Regular Backups: Backup your data regularly: Ensure that you have upgraded backups of all important files. Store these backups offline or in secure cloud storage that isn't directly connected to your primary system. Use versioned backups: This allows you to restore files to previous versions before they were compromised.
2. Email and Web Vigilance: Be cautious with emails: Do not access attachments or click on links in unsolicited emails, especially those that appear suspicious or are from unknown senders. Verify download sources: Always download software from official and reputable websites. Avoid downloading software or media from peer-to-peer networks or free file-hosting sites.
3. Security Software: Use reliable anti-malware software: Keep your security program up to date to protect against the latest threats. Enable real-time protection: Ensure that your security software is actively scanning for threats in real time.
4. Software Updates: Keep your system and applications upgraded: Update your operating system, browsers, and other software to patch vulnerabilities that could be exploited by ransomware. Enable automatic updates: This helps ensure that your system receives critical security patches as soon as they are released.
5. Network Security: Use a firewall: Ensure your network firewall is set up to prevent unauthorized access to your system. Secure Wi-Fi connections: Use strong, unique passwords for your Wi-Fi network and enable encryption protocols like WPA3.
6. Access Control: Limit user permissions: Use accounts with limited privileges for everyday tasks, reserving administrator accounts for necessary actions only. Disable macros and scripts: Disable macros in Microsoft Office files and block JavaScript in your PDF viewer unless absolutely necessary.

Conclusion: Proactive Defense Is Key

Ransomware threats like the Insom highlight the importance of a proactive approach to cybersecurity. By understanding how these threats operate and implementing strong security practices, users can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to such infections. Remember, the best defense against ransomware is prevention. Stay informed, stay cautious, and keep your data safe.

The full text of the note demanding ransom generated by the Insom Ransomware reads:

'Your data are STOLEN and your servers is LOCKED.
The data will be published on TOR website if you do not contact with us.
You can contact us directly for further instructions through emails:

insomrans@outlook.com

In subject write your personal id.

YOUR ID:

The message shown as a desktop background image is:

Your files are encrypted!
Please contact us for decryption.'