Lotej Ransomware
The Lotej Ransomware is among the latest data-locking Trojans emerged on the Internet. Once malware researchers spotted this brand-new threat, they dissected it and discovered that it belongs to the STOP Ransomware family.
Propagation and Encryption
Cybersecurity experts cannot yet determine the propagations methods that are employed in the spreading of this new file-encrypting Trojan. It is speculated largely that some of the most common methods of spreading ransomware threats may be at play in the case of the Lotej Ransomware too, namely fraudulent application updates, emails that contain corrupted attachments and pirated bogus copies of legitimate applications. When the Lotej Ransomware infects your PC, it will scan it. The scan is meant to locate all the files, which the Lotej Ransomware will later encrypt. Then, the encryption process is triggered, and the Lotej Ransomware begins locking all the targeted files. When this threat encrypts a file, it will append an additional extension at the end of the filename of the affected file – '.lotej.' This means that an audio file, which was named 'halfblood-fullheart.mp3' will be renamed to 'halfblood-fullheart.mp3.lotej' once the encryption process is through.
The Ransom Note
The next step is the dropping of the ransom note. The Lotej Ransomware's ransom note is called '_readme.txt' and states:
’ ATTENTION!
Don’t worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like photos, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
https://we.tl/t-o7ClqIH7RS
Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that’s price for you is $490.
Please note that you’ll never restore your data without payment.
Check your e-mail "Spam" or "Junk" folder if you don’t get answer more than 6 hours.
To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
gorentos@bitmessage.ch
Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
gorentos2@firemail.cc
Our Telegram account:
@datarestore
Mark Data Restore
Your personal ID:’
The creators of the Lotej Ransomware ask for $890 in exchange for the decryption key, which will unlock the user's data. However, they claim that if you contact them within 72 hours of the attack, you will have to pay half the price, $490, as you will receive a 50% discount. The attackers offer to decrypt one file for free to prove to the victim that they are in possession of the decryption key promised. The authors of this ransomware threat provide two email addresses where they can be contacted 'gorentos@bitmessage.ch' and 'gorentos2@firemail.cc.' If the user would prefer to converse over Telegram, the attackers have given out their Telegram contact details too @datarestore.
It is never a clever idea to get in touch with cyber criminals like the ones responsible for the Lotej Ransomware. They probably will not deliver on their promises. Instead, you should look into obtaining a reputable anti-malware software suite, which will keep your computer secure and make sure you do not find yourself in such a sticky situation again.
