Ransomed.vc Ransomware: Everything You Need To Know To Be Safe

Ransomed.vc is a ransomware collective that has emerged as a new cyber threat. It is a financially motivated project that targets victims by leveraging GDPR laws. Ransomed has been targeting large enterprises from the US, the UK, and the European Union. The group has been operating for only a short time, but it has already claimed to have hacked Sony Group Corp. and Japanese mobile operator NTT Docomo.

Ransomed.vc started its activities in August 2023 on Telegram when an account named “Ransomed” announced the birth of a forum and chat channel. In November 2023, the group announced their operation shutdown as 6 of their members were arrested.

The group’s 77 affiliates and partners are primarily driven by monetary rewards, however, some have political agendas, demonstrating a multifaceted approach to their attacks. The fact that most of its victims are organizations with at least $5 million in revenue reveals that each attack is planned.

What kind of malware is Ransomed?

Ransomed.vc is a ransomware – a type of malware that encrypts the victim’s data and demands a ransom in exchange for the decryption key.

However, Ransomed’s tactics are unique, as they threaten compromised companies with the prospect of GDPR fines after breaching their sites. The group is leveraging the fear of these substantial fines to extort money from companies.

SalvageData experts recommend proactive data security measures, such as regular backups, strong cybersecurity practices, and keeping software up to date, to protect against ransomware attacks. And, in case of a ransomware attack, contact our ransomware recovery experts immediately.

Everything we know about Ransomed Ransomware

Confirmed Name

• Ransomed virus

Threat Type

• Ransomware
• Crypto Virus
• Files locker
• Double extortion

Encrypted Files Extension

• .CRYPTOSHIELD
• .rdmk
• .lesli
• .scl
• .code
• .rmd
• .rscl
• .MOLE

Is There a Free Decryptor Available?

No, there’s no public decryptor for Ransomed ransomware.

Consequences

• Files are encrypted and locked until the ransom payment
• Data leak
• Double extortion

How does Ransomed ransomware infect a machine or network?

As with most ransomware. phishing attacks are the primary infection method for Ransomed.vc. It’s crucial that cybersecurity become part of the company’s culture to prevent ransomware attacks from being successful.

Phishing emails

Scammers send messages that appear to be from a legitimate organization and prompt the recipient to open an attachment or click on a link. The messages often take the form of business correspondence, with the attached file seemingly related to a work topic. Emails also often masquerade as invoices, with the recipient being instructed that they have been billed for something.

Infected websites

This happens due to known vulnerabilities in the software of legitimate websites. Attackers use such flaws to either embed the malicious code on a website or to redirect the victim to another site that is in control of the hackers.

Lateral movement

Ransomware variants are becoming more complex, with self-propagating mechanisms allowing lateral movement to other network-connected devices. This means that ransomware can spread from one device to another within a network, making it more difficult to contain.

How does Ransomed ransomware work

Ransomed is a ransomware group that uses a unique approach to extort money from its victims. Their innovation to coerce victims into paying has introduced a change in TTPs for typical extortionist operations.

However, experts do not have the details of how Ransomed.vc works to infect a system and extort their alleged victims.

How to handle a Ransomed ransomware attack

The first step to recovering from a Ransomed attack is to isolate the infected computer by disconnecting it from the internet and removing any connected device. Then, you must contact local authorities. In the case of US residents and businesses, it is the local FBI field office and the Internet Crime Complaint Centre (IC3).

To report a ransomware attack you must gather every information you can about it, including:

• Screenshots of the ransom note
• Communications with threat actors (if you have them)
• A sample of an encrypted file

However, if you prefer to contact professionals, then do nothing. Leave every infected machine the way it is and ask for an emergency ransomware removal service. Restarting or shutting down the system may compromise the recovery service. Capturing the RAM of a live system may help get the encryption key, and catching a dropper file, i.e. file executing the malicious payload (a software code or programs that execute unauthorized actions on a target system), might be reverse-engineered and lead to decryption of the data or understanding how it operates.

You must not delete the ransomware, and keep every evidence of the attack. That’s important for digital forensics so experts can trace back to the hacker group and identify them. It is by using the data on your infected system that authorities can investigate the attack and find the responsible. A cyber attack investigation is not different from any other criminal investigation: it needs evidence to find the attackers.

1. Contact your Incident Response provider

A Cyber Incident Response is the process of responding to and managing a cybersecurity incident. An Incident Response Retainer is a service agreement with a cybersecurity provider that allows organizations to get external help with cybersecurity incidents. It provides organizations with a structured form of expertise and support through a security partner, enabling them to respond quickly and effectively during a cyber incident.

An incident response retainer offers peace of mind to organizations, offering expert support before and in the aftermath of a cybersecurity incident. An incident response retainer’s specific nature and structure will vary according to the provider and the organization’s requirements. A good incident response retainer should be robust but flexible, providing proven services to enhance an organization’s long-term security posture.

If you contact your IR service provider, they can take over immediately and guide you through every step in the ransomware recovery. However, if you decide to remove the ransomware yourself and recover the files with your IT team, then you can follow the next steps.

2. Identify the ransomware infection

You can identify which ransomware infected your machine by the file extension (some ransomware uses the file extension as their name), using a ransomware ID tool, or it will be on the ransom note. With this information, you can look for a public decryption key.

You can also check the ransomware type by its IOCs. Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) are digital clues that cybersecurity professionals use to identify system compromises and malicious activities within a network or IT environment. They are essentially digital versions of evidence left at a crime scene, and potential IOCs include unusual network traffic, privileged user logins from foreign countries, strange DNS requests, system file changes, and more. When an IOC is detected, security teams evaluate possible threats or validate its authenticity. IOCs also provide evidence of what an attacker had access to if they did infiltrate the network.

3. Remove the ransomware and eliminate exploit kits

Before recovering your data, you must guarantee that your device is ransomware-free and that the attackers can’t make a new attack through exploit kits or other vulnerabilities. A ransomware removal service can delete the ransomware, create a forensics document for investigation, eliminate vulnerabilities, and recover your data.

4. Use a backup to restore the data

The importance of backup for data recovery cannot be overstated, especially in the context of various potential risks and threats to data integrity.

Backups are a critical component of a comprehensive data protection strategy. They provide a means to recover from a variety of threats, ensuring the continuity of operations and preserving valuable information. In the face of ransomware attacks, where malicious software encrypts your data and demands payment for its release, having a backup allows you to restore your information without succumbing to the attacker’s demands.

Make sure to regularly test and update your backup procedures to enhance their effectiveness in safeguarding against potential data loss scenarios. There are several ways to make a backup, so you must choose the right backup medium and have at least one copy of your data stored offsite and offline.

5. Contact a ransomware recovery service

If you don’t have a backup or need help removing the ransomware and eliminating vulnerabilities, contact a data recovery service. Paying the ransom does not guarantee your data will be returned to you. The only guaranteed way you can restore every file is if you have a backup. If you don’t, ransomware data recovery services can help you decrypt and recover the files.

SalvageData experts can safely restore your files and prevent Ransomed.vc ransomware from attacking your network again, contact our recovery experts 24/7.

Prevent the Ransomed ransomware attack

Preventing ransomware is the best solution for data security. is easier and cheaper than recovering from them. Ransomed ransomware can cost your business’s future and even close its doors.

Do not pay the ransom! Contacting a ransomware removal service can not only restore your files but also remove any potential threat.

These are a few tips to ensure you can avoid ransomware attacks:

• Keep software up to date to prevent vulnerabilities that can be exploited by the ransomware.
• Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication to prevent unauthorized access to systems.
• Regularly back up important files and store them in a secure location.
• Be cautious when opening email attachments or clicking on links from unknown sources.
• Use reputable antivirus software and keep it up to date.