How Does Cyborg Ransomware Work?

Updated on October 11, 2022, by Xcitium

It’s no news in the 21st century that malware, such as ransomware and other current virus threats have been circulating in the interweb tainting the technological experience that the internet has opened up for mankind. Suddenly, questions like “what is Cyborg ransomware?” or “How can I protect my computer?” become a major concern for the populace. A ransomware attack can come at any time in many ways and the statistics of its casualties are on a steady rise. By learning “what is Cyborg ransomware?” and other malicious software, you are giving yourself a better handle on your device security, as malware can also be inflicted on your mobile phones or tablets. Harvesting knowledge and taking responsibility in your own safety can save you the trouble of having to deal with the extraneous process of having to deal with a ransomware attack or any of the current virus threats that may result in a loss of income or savings on your part. This is why learning more about “what is Cyborg ransomware?” should take priority in building a better defense for your computer.

What Is Cyborg Ransomware?

Cyborg ransomware is one of the multiple variants of malware. Malware, or malicious software, is software that directs harm to its intended operational systems or other software. Most malware is used to extort digital currencies, such as BitCoins or LiteCoin, but ransomware, in particular, demonstrates it in a specific manner. Cyborg ransomware, like other strains of ransomware, starts with encryption. Code makers with the intent to perform a ransomware attack create a code that once enabled will encrypt all the data it can find which prohibits the owners of the data access to it. In Cyborg ransomware, file names are changed by adding .petra. This will let you know that the files are compromised. Current virus threats have similar procedures, which means that if you notice any additional letters or words on your files, they have been compromised in one way or another. Asking “what is Cyborg ransomware?” also answers the question, “what is ransomware?” because, for the most part, they all work the same way because the majority of the ransomware attack that circulates come from the same source with small edits on the details.

What Happens When You Are Under A Ransomware Attack?

Now that you know the answer to “what is Cyborg ransomware?”, the next step is to understand how it works. Like all ransomware, for the code to work, it must be downloaded into the OS, or operating system, of its target. Current virus threats come in many shapes and forms as it has evolved with time to keep with the trends on the internet but the bulk of it comes from emails. The victim receives a fraudulent email that has the link or the actual downloadable file to software that starts the encryption. The contents of the email vary depending on the target scope of the hacker. For instance, hackers earmarking business owners probably claim to be banks with promos or services that might be useful such as accounting and deliveries and such. Once the encryption has been enabled, it would run through the whole system barring the owner access to their files. Once completed, it will show the victim a message that informs them how much and how to transfer the ransom to the malicious programmer that demands it, claiming that once the payment goes through they will decrypt the files which will unlock the files and return it back to its owner.

What Do You Do When You Get Attacked?

If after all preventive measures have been taken and a Cyborg ransomware attack slips through your defenses, all responsible owners must know what actions to take moving forward. The first rule is to keep calm. Making rash decisions in a stressed state might only result in more trouble. It is smarter, therefore, to take a minute to step back, breathe, and gather your thoughts. Once you’ve calmed, you can make more rational decisions that can get you started in dealing with this problem.

Many, if not all, cybercrime authorities have highly advised against paying the ransom. Obviously, victims with more to lose such as business owners and high-powered office workers are more likely to decide to just pay and get it over with. However, one too many times, cybercriminals do not fulfill their end of the bargain and disappear after their payment is processed leaving the victims hanging. Therefore, the best way to deal with a ransomware attack is to counter it with anti-malware services. There are hundreds of them available on the internet that can serve as your precaution, prevention, and solution. Anti-ransomware services can reverse and work around the problem and solve the issue as well as prevent it from happening in the first place.

For more information on anti-ransomware services, visit Xcitium Cybersecurity today!