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New Crypto-Ransomware Encrypts Video Game Files
An anonymous reader writes A new piece of ransomware that (mis)uses the Cryptolocker "brand" has been analyzed by Bromium researchers, and they discovered that aside from the usual assortment of file types that ransomware usually targets, this variant also encrypts file types associated with video games and game related software. It targets files associated with single-user games Call of Duty, Star Craft 2, Diablo, Fallout 3, Minecraft, Half-Life 2, Dragon Age: Origins, The Elder Scrolls and specifically Skyrim-related files, Star Wars: The Knights Of The Old Republic, WarCraft 3, F.E.A.R, Saint Rows 2, Metro 2033, Assassin's Creed, S.T.A.L.K.E.R., Resident Evil 4, Bioshock 2; and online games World of Warcraft, Day Z, League of Legends, World of Tanks, and Metin2. Here's the Bromium Labs report.
All of these crypto ransomware things are actually a plot to make people associate "encryption" with something bad, so that people will stop using things like encrypted-by-default phones.
As long as it doesn't affect DOOM. And by that I mean the original, which I'm still playing after 2 decades.
If telephones are outlawed, then only outlaws will have telephones.
At least I'll be able to keep playing Dwarf Fortress and NetHack for another 10mins, until I die. Again.
YASD.. fun!
Yes, but compared to what EA did to the game, it causes hundreds of dollars in improvement.
Targeting files that can easily be replaced by exactly the same means that they were gotten in the first place doesn't seem like a super brilliant move.
Also, targeting fanatical TES players makes a visit from the Dark Brotherhood a virtual certainty.
"Sweet mother, sweet mother, send your child unto me..."