MedusaLocker Ransomware

There has been a brand new file-locking Trojan, which was spotted by malware researchers recently. It was given the name MedusaLocker Ransomware. Unlike most newly discovered ransomware threats, this data-encrypting Trojan appears to be a project built from square one as it does not belong to any of the known ransomware families. So far, cybersecurity experts have not been able to create a decryption tool and release it publicly.

Propagation

It is not clear what propagation kind is being utilized in the spreading of the MedusaLocker ransomware. Some believe that mass spam email campaigns may be responsible for the propagation of this threat. Bogus application updates and fake pirated variants of popular software also is a common technique for spreading malware of this class.

The Two Variants of the MedusaLocker Ransomware

Malware researchers have spotted two variants of the MedusaLocker ransomware. The first copy of this threat appends a '.skynet' extension at the end of the filename of all the newly encrypted files. This variant of the MedusaLocker ransomware also drops a ransom note named 'Readme.html.' There are two email addresses provided in the ransom message - ‘folielol@protonmail.com' and ‘ctorsenoria@tutanota.com.' The second copy of the MedusaLocker ransomware adds a different extension to the affected files - '.encrypted.' The name of the ransom note also is different, as this one is called 'HOW_TO_RECOVER_DATA.html.' Again two email addresses have been given out, and as you may have guessed, they are not the same ones as the ones provided in the first note - ‘sambolero@tutanota.com' and ‘rightcheck@cock.li.'

The message of the notes is the same apart from the differences we already outlined. There is no mention of a specific ransom fee in either one of the notes, but the attackers mention that the fee should be paid in the shape of Bitcoin.

We advise you against contacting cybercriminals as these are not individuals you can trust. It is likely they will promise you the decryption key if you pay up, but more often than not, these are just empty words. Make sure you download and install a reputable anti-virus application that will aid you in removing the MedusaLocker ransomware from your system.