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Bad Rabbit Ransomware: Global Threat Alert

Posted: October 26, 2017 to Cybersecurity.

Tags: Ransomware, Malware, Data Breach

A new ransomware is spreading around the world. It's already hit a number of European countries, may or may not have hit the US, and has even affected Interfax, a Russian news agency. Named Bad Rabbit, it's a newer version of NotPetya and is suspected to have come from North Korea. As ransomware goes, Bad Rabbit is a pretty big improvement over its predecessor. For one thing, the decryption actually works, which means if you pay the ransom (0.05₿, which as of this writing is $298.50), you'll actually get your files back. The encryption itself is more sophisticated. It encrypts files like any other ransomware, but then it replaces the Master Boot Record, rendering the computer completely useless. It also means you need two decryption keys: one for the MBR and one for the files. Bad Rabbit makes use of a program called Mimikatz to get password information from the system. Mimikatz looks in the computer's memory for passwords, PINS, and other secret information it can use. It also uses common usernames like admin or administrator or root along with common passwords to guess needed credentials. (So let that be YET ANOTHER reminder to not use easy or common passwords.) From what experts can tell, the Bad Rabbit outbreak started when malicious code was inserted into Russian media websites. When visiting one of these sites, a user is prompted to install an Adobe Flash update. Of course it's not really a Flash update, and clicking to install the update actually installs the ransomware.

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About the Author

Craig Petronella, CEO and Founder of Petronella Technology Group
CEO, Founder & AI Architect, Petronella Technology Group

Craig Petronella founded Petronella Technology Group in 2002 and has spent more than 30 years working at the intersection of cybersecurity, AI, compliance, and digital forensics. He holds the CMMC Registered Practitioner credential (RP-1372) issued by the Cyber AB, is an NC Licensed Digital Forensics Examiner (License #604180-DFE), and completed MIT Professional Education programs in AI, Blockchain, and Cybersecurity. Craig also holds CompTIA Security+, CCNA, and Hyperledger certifications.

He is an Amazon #1 Best-Selling Author of 15+ books on cybersecurity and compliance, host of the Encrypted Ambition podcast (95+ episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon), and a cybersecurity keynote speaker with 200+ engagements at conferences, law firms, and corporate boardrooms. Craig serves as Contributing Editor for Cybersecurity at NC Triangle Attorney at Law Magazine and is a guest lecturer at NCCU School of Law. He has served as a digital forensics expert witness in federal and state court cases involving cybercrime, cryptocurrency fraud, SIM-swap attacks, and data breaches.

Under his leadership, Petronella Technology Group has served 2,500+ clients, maintained a zero-breach record among compliant clients, earned a BBB A+ rating every year since 2003, and been featured as a cybersecurity authority on CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, and WRAL. The company leverages SOC 2 Type II certified platforms and specializes in AI implementation, managed cybersecurity, CMMC/HIPAA/SOC 2 compliance, and digital forensics for businesses across the United States.

CMMC-RP NC Licensed DFE MIT Certified CompTIA Security+ Expert Witness 15+ Books
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