Ahtw is ransomware that belongs to the Djvu/Stop Ransomware family. Analysts at SecneurX observed that among the prominent ransomware families in 2023, Djvu/Stop was one of the most used by the attackers. As per the research data, Djvu/Stop was mainly used in citizen-centric attacks but they can be used to target organizations as well.
Ahtw ransomware encrypts files and appends its extension (".ahtw") to filenames. Also, it drops the "_readme.txt" file that contains a ransom note. After executing the ahtw ransomware all files and folders gets encrypted and appends their filenames as ".ahtw" extension. For Example, a file titled "Sep2019.docx" appears as "Sep2019.docx.ahtw", "What is an IPL file.docx" as "What is an IPL file.docx.ahtw", and so on.
Screenshot of files encrypted by Ahtw ransomware
Ahtw Ransomware Overview
Ahtw ransomware notes inform victims that their files have been encrypted. It instructs victims to purchase the decrypt tool for $980 to decrypt all files and folders and also mentioned an email address "support@fishmail.top" in readme.txt to get the software.
How does ransomware infect my computer?
Malware (ransomware included) is spread using phishing and social engineering tactics. Malicious programs are typically presented as or bundled with ordinary content. Infectious files can be executables (.exe, .run, etc.), archives (ZIP, RAR, etc.), Microsoft Office and PDF documents, JavaScript, and so on. When a virulent file is executed, run, or otherwise opened - the infection process is jumpstarted.
Screenshot of Ahtw Ransomware Text file (“_readme.txt”)
Ransomware Note (“_readme.txt”) in Text
ATTENTION!
Don't worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like pictures, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
https://we.tl/t-sLaQRb9N6e
Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that's price for you is $490.
Please note that you'll never restore your data without payment.
Check your e-mail "Spam" or "Junk" folder if you don't get answer more than 6 hours.
To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
support@freshmail.top
Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
datarestorehelp@airmail.cc
IOC DETAILS
DOMAINS
zexeq[.]com
colisumy[.]com
IP
183[.]100[.]39[.]157
167[.]235[.]207[.]108
5[.]21[.]67[.]193 URLS
hxxp[:]//colisumy[.]com/dl/build2[.]exe
hxxp[:]//167[.]235[.]207[.]108/files[.]zip
hxxp[:]//167[.]235[.]207[.]108/a81bcf59d85e6e13257840e65b9d1da8
hxxp[:]//zexeq[.]com/files/1/build3[.]exe
hxxp[:]//167[.]235[.]207[.]108/
hxxp[:]//zexeq[.]com/test1/get[.]php?pid=***&first=***
SHA256
c4d33fc79173be38c3a76223263f6b37486903188e3c081586ecd62fcc651497 c2c5560cede5fe447363e0d432707fc287312c20e92715b59700888e77eab92d 8d7f0e6b6877bdfb9f4531afafd0451f7d17f0ac24e2f2427e9b4ecc5452b9f0 Full Behaviour Report For the complete ransomware behavior report check out the below Secenurx Behaviour Report link and access our Complete Ransomware Report.
What can you do to avoid being a ransomware victim?
As dangerous as ransomware is, simply being aware and staying updated with the latest ransomware trends can go a long way in securing your data and systems. Here are helpful tips on how you can defend yourself from a likely attack.
Scrutinize emails & their attachments before opening them
Be wary of emails from unverified sources. You can check by communicating directly with the purported sender to confirm if they sent the messages. To check its validity, you can use SecneurX Sandbox to verify the sanity of the email.
Avoid clicking embedded links found in unverified emails
Such social engineering tricks can lead to the download of ransomware. Additionally, be wary of sites that prompt you to enter a CAPTCHA code as this could be linked to a ransomware attack. To check its validity, you can use services like SecneurX Sandbox to verify the site's reputation. Back up your important files While prevention is always better than the cure, having a backup of important files can at least lessen the potential damage done by a ransomware attack. While being locked out of your own system is always a bad thing, at least it's not a total disaster since you can always retrieve your important files. The 3-2-1 backup rule applies here—three backup copies of your data on two different media and one of those copies in a separate location. Regularly update software, programs, and applications Updating them to the latest versions can provide an added layer of protection against online threats as some ransomware arrives via vulnerability exploits. Use a layered protection suite Doing so can detect threats before they enter your network. Security solutions like SecneurX ATP can block Infectious files (like executables (.exe, .run, etc.), archives (ZIP, RAR, etc.), Microsoft Office and PDF documents, JavaScript, and so on) by scanning them at the point of entry of the organizations (File uploads, USB file transfers, etc)
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