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MUST Ransomware

Posted: November 17, 2020

The MUST Ransomware is a file-locking Trojan that's part of the long-running Ransomware-as-a-Service of the Dharma Ransomware. The MUST Ransomware can harm most media files by encrypting or 'locking' them and promotes a ransom-based recovery method in its instructional messages. Windows users can back their work up for safe restoration without paying and let their anti-malware services handle the removal of the MUST Ransomware.

Seeing a Not-So-Good Program on Your PC

The name of what a user downloads may hide an identity, as much as any mask over a face. With an installer circulating under the title of 'GOODSSYS,' the MUST Ransomware is tricking users into infecting themselves by likely-predictable lures. Phishing attacks by this threat may or may not use such techniques as fake software updates on the Web or compromised e-mail attachments. Whichever exploits the MUST Ransomware favors, the result is predictable destruction wreaked over the user's files.

As part of the latest generation of the Crysis Ransomware or the Dharma Ransomware offspring, the MUST Ransomware inherits that family's preferences for endangering digital media. It uses a secure encryption feature to block files from opening and preferentially target formats like documents, audio, or images – anything of value to the victim. Like the Kut Ransomware, the bH4T Ransomware, the GOLD Ransomware, or the FREDD Ransomware, the MUST Ransomware is compatible with Windows systems and deletes the operating system's Restore Points.

Some factors in identifying the MUST Ransomware infections include the cosmetic symptoms and ransom notes, as follows:

  • The MUST Ransomware changes the extensions of locked files by adding its string ('.MUST') and ransoming information (IDs for victims and e-mails for contacting the attacker).
  •  The MUST Ransomware generates a Notepad file containing a grammatically-questionable English message that promotes the same e-mails, again, for its unlocking service.
  • The Dharma Ransomware family also provides a generic HTA pop-up. Unlike the text note, the pop-up window usually adheres to a generic template with no updates besides the campaign-specific factors like e-mails and IDs. It offers more comprehensive ransoming instructions for the media and other warnings.

Stopping Trojans from Telling Users What They 'MUST' Do

Following the instructions of the MUST Ransomware blindly can create further incentive for Ransomware-as-a-Service campaigns and doesn't even guarantee that paying users will get the files that they're ransoming back in non-encrypted states. Because local backups are highly at risk, Windows users should always preserve backups for recovery in other locations. Malware experts recommend most cloud storage services and detachable storage devices as useful counters to all file-locking Trojans.

The MUST Ransomware's installer's name might refer to various phishing lures, such as a 3D printer manufacturer, or even to the attacker since malware experts see a GitHub project with the same name. Users on Windows PCs shouldn't neglect essential security habits like disabling JavaScript and Flash, patching software, and using strong passwords. Ransomware-as-a-Service families can infect users from many angles and are just as harmful to global corporations as they are to individuals on their home machines.

Despite the issues with data recovery, most security products will identify variants of Dharma Ransomware. Users with appropriate protective services can leverage them for deleting the MUST Ransomware.

The MUST Ransomware would like a victim to follow its words without thinking hard about what happens after sending any ransom money. A criminal's agreement is a shaky bond of trust, and Windows users are better off depending on backup strategies.

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