M0rphine Ransomware

The M0rphine Ransomware is a file-locking Trojan and a variant of the SatanCryptor Ransomware. The M0rphine Ransomware stops files from opening on your PC by encrypting them, gives them extra extensions with ransoming information, and creates an HTA ransom note in every folder with the media. Windows users should have compatible anti-malware services that will delete the M0rphine Ransomware without problems in most scenarios.

Satanic Influence Getting Back into Your Documents

The lesser-publicized SatanCryptor Ransomware (not a relative of the older, similar-in-theme Satan Ransomware or Satan666 Ransomware) is updating itself for 2020, although its modus operandi holds few surprises. Readers familiar with the general structures and goals of file-locking Trojans will see little that's unusual about the M0rphine Ransomware. Samples are, however, using UPX packing for preventing identification by threat analysis software, and malware experts confirm lower rates of flagging the M0rphine Ransomware in comparison to Trojans.

The M0rphine Ransomware is a little larger than most file-locking Trojans, at over a megabyte, with its filename of 'mor' offering no tangible evidence of its distribution means. After infecting a Windows PC, it searches for JPG pictures, DOC or PDF documents, MP3 music, and similar media, and encrypts each file. The M0rphine Ransomware also holds to the standard, often observable in Ransomware-as-a-Services like the Scarab Ransomware, that uses the filenames as pseudo-ransom notes, by adding IDs for victims and e-mail addresses for contacting the threat actor.

However, the M0rphine Ransomware gives more detailed information in its HTA ransom message, which it generates for every folder with these files. This note is mostly similar to that of the SatanCryptor Ransomware, although switching to a new (still, free) e-mail address for selling the decryption service is mildly notable. While the M0rphine Ransomware uses English for these instructions, persisting grammar issues suggest that the criminals aren't native speakers. Vulnerable Windows PCs may, by contrast, be anywhere in the world.

Rejecting a Hit of Software that's not Painless Exactly

Far from the pain reliever of its name, the M0rphine Ransomware offers a slippery slope for causing widespread data loss for any Windows PC. Malware experts have yet to see any more stringent limitations on its installation and running – although some similar threats will sort their targets via language settings, or self-terminate in sandboxes, for example. Users of that OS should consider themselves at possible risk and back their files up to an appropriately safe device.

Several infection methods are prevalent for file-locking Trojans, depending on the nature of their targets. Businesses may receive phishing e-mail messages with corrupted attachments, server administrators may deal with brute-force attacks against their logins, and random individuals might endanger themselves by downloading a fake crack or hackers' tool. Proper cautious Web-browsing behavior, responsible admin practices, and scrutinizing e-mail links and downloads for threats are all appropriate for defending one's PC.

Just over thirty AV services are identifying the M0rphine Ransomware at the outset of its campaign. Users may quarantine samples for providing to interested researchers, or delete the M0rphine Ransomware immediately with the usual anti-malware services.

As far as digital drugs go, the M0rphine Ransomware isn't much of a revelation, but it can be just as toxic as an illicit substance. Since file-locking attacks can come from unforeseen sources, everyone should be prepping their backups with little, if any, hesitation.