An email extortion scam is threatening victims with DDoS attacks and WannaCry ransomware, according to researchers at Avast. The scammers claim to have hacked the victim’s network and found evidence of tax evasion. They demand two bitcoins, or around $10,000, in exchange for keeping quiet about the illegal activity.
If the victim doesn’t pay up, the scammer will deploy ransomware and launch DDoS attacks against their systems, in addition to notifying law enforcement about the alleged tax evasion. Avast security expert Luis Corrons said this is a new version of a familiar, but effective, scam.
“This is an evolved version of the ‘Police Virus’ or ‘Police Trojan’ which targeted most of Europe in 2011,” said Corrons. “Cyberattackers posed as different law enforcement agencies, even localizing messages in English, German, Dutch, and Spanish, among others. In the message, it claimed to have detected illegal content from that computer and, to avoid prosecution, a €100 fine must be paid.”
Avast’s advice is to ignore these types of emails completely. The scammers haven’t hacked your network; they’re simply trying to frighten gullible people into paying them. New-school security awareness training is the best way to teach your employees how to recognize common extortion tactics.
Security Boulevard has the story: https://securityboulevard.com/2019/04/email-scam-threatens-wannacry-ddos-attack-avast/
Get Your Ransomware Hostage Rescue Manual
This 20-page manual is packed with actionable info that you need to prevent infections, and what to do when you are hit with ransomware. You also get a Ransomware Attack Response Checklist and Prevention Checklist. You will learn more
about:
- What is Ransomware?
- Am I Infected?
- I’m Infected, Now What?
- Protecting Yourself in the Future
- Resources
Don’t be taken hostage by ransomware. Download your rescue manual now!
PS: Don't like to click on redirected buttons? Cut & Paste this link in your browser:
