MegaCortex ransomware variant threatens data breach, alters credentials

MegaCortex ransomware variant threatens data breach, alters credentials

A newly discovered variant of MegaCortex ransomware goes well beyond just encrypting victims’ files — it also changes their Windows passwords and threatens to publish their stolen data if they fail to pay.


In a report earlier this week, BleepingComputer said it helped analyzed the new strain after it was discovered by MalwareHunterTeam and subsequently reverse engineered by researcher Vitali Kremez.


“All of your user credentials have been changed and your files have been encrypted,” the ransomware note warns infected victims. Both threats are true: files are encrypted and given an .m3g4c0rtx extension, and victims who attempt to log in to their system will find that they cannot. Instead, all they will see is a legal notice that says “Locked by MegaCortex,” along with the attacker-controlled email addresses to contact.


The credential change is made possible by executing the net user command when the ransomware is executed, BleepingComputer reported, citing Kremez.


The ransom note also makes a second threat: “We have also downloaded your ..

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