A new malware named Azov Ransomware has appeared on the radars of security researchers. It is devastating and attacks the data contained in the hard drives of computers running Windows 11. As is often the case, it is distributed on download platforms, in the form of pirated software or license generators. Even more vicious, the designers of this malware pass it off as ransomware designed by cybersecurity researchers so that the victims let their guard down and to discredit the profession.
Once their computer is infected with Azov Ransomware, victims are referred to well-known scientific publications such as Bleeping Computer or companies specializing in computer security. The objective is to tarnish the reputation of these institutions. The real goal of hackers is to buy time, so that the software can “gnaw” your data without your knowledge and steal your identifiers and other personal information.
Azov Ransomware malware destroys your files and steals your personal data
According to researcher Jiří Vinopal, Azov Ransomware is a “data wiper”, a data erasing virus, which works in cycles. It attacks each file by inserting 666 bytes of randomly generated data every 666 bytes. The data thus processed is, ultimately, unrecoverable. Azov Ransomware doesn’t just destroy everything by spreading to all computer files. It also installs software that is used to steal your credentials and other personal data. When we know that our personal data is resold up to 376 times a day, we understand that this scheme can be very juicy.
What is the goal of the hackers behind Azov Ransomware? Is their intention only to harm? They claim, in the (fake) ransom text included in the malware, that they block the computers of their victims to protest against the occupation of Crimea. Yet it is difficult to believe that their abuses are solely motivated by their political opinions. Anyway, if you ever find yourself with Azov on your computer, you won’t have no other solution than to redo a clean installation of Windowswhile saying goodbye to your data.
Source: Bleeping Computer