Ransomware removal experts have found a new ransomware proliferating in the security sphere during the first week of July. Although it has a friendly name, the ransomware known as Brotherhood Ransomware is anything but. It has been reported to attack all versions of Windows Operating Systems including the latest Windows 10.
What is Brotherhood Ransomware
According to the analysis done by ransomware removal experts, the code of Brotherhood Ransomware looks similar to a notorious ransomware known as HiddenTear. Moreover, ransomware removal experts opined that the ransomware is not fully developed like other ransomware and may become more threatening and advanced in the future.
So what exactly does this Brotherhood Ransomware do? If you find any pictures or files modified with “.ransomcrypt” extension, then it is most probably is the work of this ransomware. As per its modus operandi, ‘Brotherhood’ encrypts multimedia, spreadsheets, text files and IT files and then blocks access to them after changing their extension.
Moreover, according to ransomware removal, the ransomware was mainly found to target the “Documents” folder. The encryption algorithm used is AES (Advanced Encryption Standard).
Afterwards, an image file carrying the ransom note is added to the desktop which then becomes the desktop wallpaper. The note starts with the acknowledgement of the hack. A payment of 100 Bitcoin (worth $700,000) is asked to be sent on a given address.
Unusually High Ransom
The ransomware threatens with the permanent loss of data if the user fails to comply in the given time. This high amount of ransom is uncommon in ransomware campaigns. Generally ransom demands can go as low as $50 and as high as $5,000.
The high amount of ransom indicates the level of ambition the cybercriminals behind this ransomware hold. They may target large organizations or individuals who possess sensitive data. Payment of ransom is never recommended because cybercriminals mostly do not return a decryption password after the payment.
How to Deal With It?
So what to do if you are attacked by Brotherhood Ransomware? Since it is an under-developed ransomware, it can be dealt with by individuals. Try to install the best anti-ransomware tools that can help you to remove ransomware. Moreover, you can also hire the services of a security analyst who will easily find faults in the ransomware’s underdeveloped code.
