BITCOINPAYMENT Ransomware Has Elaborate Ransom Demand
BITCOINPAYMENT is a newly spotted ransomware clone. This one belongs to the Phobos family of ransomware variants.
BITCOINPAYMENT encrypts files on the system it gets deployed on, leaving them largely useless after encryption. Encrypted files receive a lengthy, complex new extension that includes the victim's ID, the email that BITCOINPAYMENT's maker uses for contact and the string ".BITCOINPAYMENT".
This will make a file originally named "picture.jpg" transform into "picture.jpg.id[alphanumeric string].[cleverhorse@protonmail.com].BITCOINPAYMENT".
The ransom note is deposited in two different files, one plain text, one formatted as .HTA, both named just "info" and dropped on the desktop. The full ransom note goes as follows:
All your files have been encrypted!
All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail cleverhorse@protonmail.com
Write this ID in the title of your message -
If there is no response from our mail, you can install the Jabber client and write to us in support of cleverhorse@xmpp.jp
You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the tool that will decrypt all your files.
Free decryption as guarantee
Before paying you can send us up to 1-3 files for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 10Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.)
How to obtain Bitcoins
The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click 'Buy bitcoins', and select the seller by payment method and price.
hxxps://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins
Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:
hxxp://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/
Jabber client installation instructions:
Download the jabber (Pidgin) client from hxxps://pidgin.im/download/windows/
After installation, the Pidgin client will prompt you to create a new account.
Click "Add"
In the "Protocol" field, select XMPP
In "Username" - come up with any name
In the field "domain" - enter any jabber-server, there are a lot of them, for example - exploit.im
Create a password
At the bottom, put a tick "Create account"
Click add
If you selected "domain" - exploit.im, then a new window should appear in which you will need to re-enter your data:
User
password
You will need to follow the link to the captcha (there you will see the characters that you need to enter in the field below)
If you don't understand our Pidgin client installation instructions, you can find many installation tutorials on youtube - hxxps://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=pidgin+jabber+install
Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.
