Ior Ransomware: A Growing Threat to Your Data

New ransomware variants tend to emerge with alarming frequency. One such example is Ior Ransomware, a dangerous malware that belongs to the Dharma family. With its ability to encrypt files and demand a ransom for their recovery, Ior Ransomware poses a serious risk to individuals and organizations alike. Here, we will break down what Ior Ransomware is, how it operates, and what steps can be taken to prevent infection.

What is Ior Ransomware?

Ior Ransomware is part of the notorious Dharma ransomware family, a well-known group of malicious software designed to encrypt victims' files and demand payment for their release. When Ior Ransomware infects a system, it appends a unique extension to the encrypted files, renaming them in the process. For example, a file named "document.pdf" would be renamed to "document.pdf.id-9ECFA84E.[jasalivan@420blaze.it].ior," making it unusable unless decrypted.

Once the encryption process is complete, the ransomware delivers two ransom notes: a pop-up window and a text file named "manual.txt." The message in these notes is clear: the victim must contact the attackers via email within 12 hours to negotiate the recovery of their files. The email addresses provided include "jasalivan@420blaze.it" and "ja.salivan@keemail.me." To encourage victims to pay, the attackers offer to decrypt up to three files (under 3 MB in size) for free, as long as those files don't contain sensitive information.

Here's what the ransom note text looks like:

All your files have been encrypted!
Don't worry, you can return all your files!
If you want to restore them, write to the mail: jasalivan@420blaze.it YOUR ID -
If you have not answered by mail within 12 hours, write to us by another mail:ja.salivan@keemail.me
Free decryption as guarantee
Before paying you can send us up to 3 files for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 3Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.)
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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.

Ransomware’s Methods: How Ior Encrypts Your Data

Ransomware programs like Ior follow a structured process to ensure maximum damage to victims' files. Ior targets both local and network-shared files, ensuring that no data is spared. It goes beyond basic encryption, taking additional steps to ensure that victims have few options for recovery. For instance, Ior disables the system's firewall and deletes Volume Shadow Copies, which are often used to restore files in case of a malfunction or malware infection.

To maintain control over the system, Ior Ransomware makes a copy of itself and hides it in the system's %LOCALAPPDATA% directory, ensuring that it will run every time the computer is restarted. The malware even collects location data and can exclude specific locations from its attack, allowing the attackers to target or spare specific regions.

The Motive Behind Ior Ransomware: What It Wants

Like all ransomware, Ior's goal is financial gain. The attackers behind Ior use encryption as a weapon to extort money from their victims. The ransom note demands that the victim reach out to the provided email addresses to negotiate a price for file decryption. If the victim fails to comply within 12 hours, there is often an implied threat that the price will go up or that the data may be lost forever.

While the note offers to decrypt a few files for free, this tactic builds trust and encourages the victim to pay. Unfortunately, paying the ransom does not guarantee file recovery. There have been many instances where victims paid only to receive nothing in return.

Why Ransomware Is Such a Serious Threat

Ransomware, as a category of malware, poses one of the most significant cybersecurity threats to individuals and businesses alike. Once ransomware like Ior infects a system, the encrypted files are typically impossible to decrypt without the tools and keys held by the attackers. This leaves victims with a difficult choice: either pay the ransom with no guarantee of success or accept the loss of their data.

The Dharma family, which Ior Ransomware belongs to, has been responsible for numerous attacks worldwide. In most cases, victims are forced to pay to recover their files, and even then, there is a risk that the decryption process could fail. As a result, ransomware attacks can cause financial loss and significant disruptions to operations.

How Ior Ransomware Spreads: The Channels of Infection

Ior Ransomware typically gains access to systems through vulnerable Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) services. Cybercriminals often deploy the malware using brute force or dictionary attacks on weak passwords. Once inside the network, the ransomware spreads quickly, encrypting files as it goes.

In addition to RDP vulnerabilities, attackers often deliver ransomware through malicious email attachments or links. These emails appear legitimate and trick the recipient into clicking a harmful link or downloading an infected file. Other methods include malicious advertisements, compromised websites, or even fake software downloads. Criminals often hide ransomware within pirated software or cracking tools, exploiting individuals who download unauthorized software.

How to Protect Yourself Against Ior Ransomware

Preventing a ransomware attack is much easier than dealing with the aftermath. Here are some essential steps to safeguard your data from threats like Ior Ransomware:

1. Use Strong Passwords and Secure RDP Services
   RDP services are a common entry point for ransomware. Ensure that RDP is disabled if not needed, or at the very least, secured with strong, complex passwords and two-factor authentication.
2. Be Cautious with Emails
   Avoid opening suspicious emails or clicking on links from unknown sources. Malicious attachments and phishing emails remain among the primary ways in which ransomware spreads.
3. Regularly Back Up Your Data
   The best defense against ransomware is having a reliable backup of all important data. Store backups on a remote server or an unplugged storage device to ensure that they remain safe in case of an attack.
4. Keep Your Software Up-to-Date
   Regularly update your operating system and software to ensure that vulnerabilities are patched. Cybercriminals often exploit outdated software to deliver ransomware.

Bottom Line

Ior Ransomware is a dangerous threat that can cause significant damage to individuals and organizations by encrypting critical files and demanding ransom payments for their release. Like other ransomware variants, it spreads through vulnerable systems, malicious emails, and unsafe software downloads. To protect yourself from Ior Ransomware, take proactive steps to secure your systems, back up your data regularly, and avoid suspicious downloads or email attachments. Prevention is key, as recovering from a ransomware attack can be difficult and expensive.