Variants of the Matrix Ransomware appear to be popping out every other day, and just a few days ago cybersecurity researchers identified yet another variation of this ransomware family. The newest version is called the Matrix-CHE08 Ransomware and, unfortunately, it possesses the necessary properties to encrypt a large number of files swiftly, therefore making them impossible to access unless a suitable decryptor is used first.
Threats like the Matrix-CHE08 Ransomware rely on secure file-encryption algorithms to make a significant fraction of the victim’s data inaccessible. Often, these file-lockers target a broad range of file formats – images, documents, videos, songs, archives, spreadsheets, backups, configuration files, Web formats, databases and others. In the case of the Matrix-CHE08 Ransomware, the encrypted files also will experience a name change – instead of adding a new extension, the Matrix-CHE08 Ransomware will change the filenames entirely by using the ‘[[email protected]].
The number of victims infected by the Matrix-CHE08 Ransomware is very low at the moment, and security researchers are yet to obtain a legitimate ransom note used by this file-encryption Trojan. However, if the Matrix-CHE08 Ransomware is anything like previous members of the Matrix Ransomware family, then the cybercriminals behind the project are likely to demand at least a few hundred dollars. Naturally, the ransomware operators want to preserve their anonymity, and this is why their preferred payment method is Bitcoin. Nearly all ransomware threats operated in the same way – they encrypt the files of the victims and then promise to provide them with a decryptor in exchange for a ransom payment.
We do not advise victims of the Matrix-CHE08 Ransomware to agree to cooperate with the criminals behind this project. Even if the attackers receive the ransom payment, there is no guarantee that they will supply a working decryptor that is capable of recovering the encrypted files. The bad news is that the Matrix-CHE08 Ransomware uses a secure algorithm to generate and store the encryption key, therefore making it impossible for malware experts to reverse engineer the encryption process and help victims of this ransomware. In some scenarios, the victims of the Matrix-CHE08 Ransomware and similar cyber-threats might be able to use 3rd-party file recovery software to undo some of the damage done to their data. All file recovery tasks should be executed only after you have made sure to fully remove the Matrix-CHE08 Ransomware with the assistance of a trustworthy anti-malware product.
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