What is the Mao Ransomware Threat?
We recently discovered a ransomware clone belonging to the Dharma family, dubbed Mao. This malicious software encrypts files and appends the victim's ID, the sony.mao@techmail.info email address, and the ".mao" extension to filenames. For example, "1.jpg" is renamed to "1.jpg.id-9ECFA84E.[sony.mao@techmail.info].mao". Additionally, Mao displays a pop-up window and drops an info file containing two ransom notes for victims to read through for further instructions on payment information and other details regarding their data encryption situation.
The ransom notes provided by Mao state that all data has been encrypted and instruct victims to contact either sony.mao@techmail or sony.mao@tuta in order to receive further instructions on how to proceed with payment information in order to regain access of their files again after decryption has been completed successfully by the attackers behind Mao. The ransom note in the pop-up window also warns victims not to try and rename files or attempt to decrypt them using third-party software as it may cause permanent data loss.
Mao is a dangerous ransomware variant and it is important for victims to take the necessary precautions in order to protect their data from being encrypted. Victims should ensure that they have up-to-date backups of their files stored on an external hard drive or cloud storage service, as well as keep their anti-virus software updated with the latest virus definitions. Additionally, users should be wary of suspicious emails.
The full ransom note displayed by the Mao ransomware reads as follows:
YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED
sony.mao@techmail.info
sony.mao@tuta.io
Don't worry, you can return all your files!
If you want to restore them, write to the mail: sony.mao@techmail.info YOUR ID -
If you have not answered by mail within 12 hours, write to us by another mail:sony.mao@tuta.io
ATTENTION!
We recommend you contact us directly to avoid overpaying agents
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.
In order to prevent ransomware infections, it is important to take the necessary precautions. First and foremost, users should ensure that their computers are kept up-to-date with the latest security patches and updates. Additionally, users should be wary of suspicious emails or links sent from unknown sources as they may contain malicious code or links that could lead to a ransomware infection. It is also important to keep anti-virus software updated with the latest virus definitions in order to detect any potential threats before they can cause damage. Furthermore, users should make sure that their data is backed up regularly on an external hard drive or cloud storage service so that if a ransomware attack does occur, the data can be restored without having to pay a ransom. Finally, users should avoid clicking on pop-ups or downloading files from untrusted websites as these could potentially contain malicious code that could lead to a ransomware infection. By following these simple steps, users can protect themselves from becoming victims of ransomware attacks.
