Netwalker is a strain of ransomware that targets Windows-based systems.
First discovered in August 2019, it evolved throughout the rest of 2019and into 2020. Significant spikes in NetWalker targeted attacks were noted by the FBI during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Here's what you need to know about the ransomware that has attacked major schools, healthcare systems, and government institutions throughout the US and Europe.
PreviouslycalledMailto, Netwalker is a sophisticated type of ransomware that renders all critical files, applications, and databases inaccessible through encryption. The group behind it demands cryptocurrency payment in exchange for data recovery and threatens to publish the victims sensitive data in a "leak portal" if ransoms arent paid.
The group is known to launch highly targeted campaigns against large organizations,mainly using email phishing sent to entry points to infiltrate networks.
Previous samples of poisoned emails used the coronavirus pandemic as a lure to make victims click on malicious links or download infected files. Once a computer has been infected, it starts spreadingand compromises all connected Windows devices.
Aside from spreading through spam emails, this ransomware can alsodisguise itself as a popular password management app.As soon as users run the bogus version of the app, their files will be encrypted.
Like Dharma, Sodinokibi, and other nefarious ransomware variants, NetWalker operators use the ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) model.
Ransomware-as-a-service is the cybercrime offshoot of the popular software-as-a-service (SaaS) business model where software thats centrally hosted on cloud infrastructure is sold or rented out to customers on a subscription basis.
In selling ransomware as a service, however, the material sold is malware thats designed to launch nefarious attacks. Instead of customers, the developers of these ransomware seek out "affiliates" who are expected to facilitate the spread of the ransomware.
Related: Ransomware-as-a-Service Will Bring Chaos to Everyone
If the attack is successful, the ransom money is split between the developer of the ransomware and the affiliate who distributed the prebuilt ransomware. These affiliates normally get around 70 to 80 percent of the ransom money. Its a relatively new and lucrative business model for criminal groups.
The NetWalker group has been actively recruiting "affiliates" on dark web forums, offering the tools and infrastructure to cybercriminals who have previous experience infiltrating large networks. According to a report by McAfee, the group seeks out partners who are Russian-speaking and those who already have a foothold in a potential victims network.
They prioritize quality over quantity and only have limited slots for partners. They stop recruiting oncethese have been filled and will only advertise via the forums again once a slot opens up.
Previous versions of the NetWalker ransom note, much like most other ransom notes, had a "contact us" section that used anonymous email account services.Victims would then contact the group and facilitate the payment through this.
The much more sophisticated version that the group has been using since March 2020 ditched the email and replaced it with a system using the NetWalker Tor interface.
Users are asked to download and install the Tor Browser and are given a personal code. After submitting their key through the online form, the victim will be redirected to a chatmessengerto talk toNetWalker "technical support".
The NetWalker system is organized much like thecompanies they target. They even issue a detailed invoice that includes the status of the account i.e. "waiting for payment", the amount that needs to be settled, and the time they have left to settle.
According to reports, victims are given one week to pay, after which the price for decryption doublesor sensitive datais leaked as a consequence of non-payment before the deadline. Once payment has been made, the victim is directed to a download page for the decryptor program.
The decryptor program appears to be unique and is designed to decrypt only the files of the specific user who made the payment. This is why each victim is given a unique key.
The gang behind NetWalker has been linked to a spate of attacks on different educational, government, and business organizations.
Among its high-profile victims are Michigan State University (MSU), Columbia College of Chicago, and University of California San Francisco (UCSF). The latter apparentlypaid a $1.14 million ransom in exchange for a tool to unlock the encrypted data.
Its other victims include the city of Weiz in Austria. Duringthis attack, the citys public service system was compromised. Some of their data from building inspections and applications were also leaked.
Healthinstitutionshave not beenspared: the gang reportedly targeted the Champaign Urbana Public Health District (CHUPD) in Illinois, The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) in Canada, and the University Hospital Dsseldorf (UKD) in Germany.
The attack on the latter is believed to have caused one death after the patient was forced to go to a different hospitalwhen emergency services at Dusseldorf were affected.
Be wary of emails and messages asking you to click on links or download files. Instead of clicking on the link right away, hover over it to examine the entire URL which should appear at the bottom of your browser. Don't click on any email links until you're definitely sure it's genuine, which might mean contacting the sender on a separate system to check.
You also need to avoid downloading fake apps.
Makesure you have reliable antivirus and anti-malware installed thats regularly updated. These can often spot phishing links within emails. Install software patchesstraight away since these are designed to fix vulnerabilities cybercriminals frequently exploit.
You also need toprotect your networks access points with strong passwords and use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to protect access to the network, other computers, and services in your organization. Taking regular back-ups is also a good idea.
While it doesnt target individual end-users yet, NetWalker can use you as a gateway to infiltrate your organizations networks through phishing emails and malicious files or infected bogus apps.
Ransomware is a scary thing, but you can protect yourself by taking sensible precautions, staying vigilant, and
You've seen the news reports, and read about it on Facebook. Perhaps you know someone who has lost all of their data because of it.
Loraine has been writing for magazines, newspapers, and websites for 15 years. She has a master's in applied media technology and a keen interest in digital media, social media studies, and cybersecurity.
Join our newsletter for tech tips, reviews, free ebooks, and exclusive deals!
Please confirm your email address in the email we just sent you.
Read this article:
Everything You Need to Know About NetWalker Ransomware - MakeUseOf
- Tor Browser Has a New WebTunnel Feature to Avoid Censorship - How-To Geek - March 14th, 2024 [March 14th, 2024]
- The CIA Is Now Trying to Recruit Russian Spies On Telegram - TIME - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Dark Web Alerts: Identifying Criminal Data Exposure on the Dark Web - Security Boulevard - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Mullvad aces security audit with this new privacy tool - TechRadar - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Billions of Google Chrome users warned to avoid browser over red alert privacy concerns check your sett... - The US Sun - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- How the decision on Space Command's home will be made - POLITICO - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Bitcoin Mixers: Clearnet vs. Darknet Which Offers Greater Anonymity? - Crypto Mode - April 27th, 2023 [April 27th, 2023]
- Matt Taibbi: Report on the Censorship-Industrial Complex - Scheerpost.com - April 27th, 2023 [April 27th, 2023]
- The Ultimate 2023 Guide to The Tor Browser Explained - Pixel Privacy - January 31st, 2023 [January 31st, 2023]
- What is Tor & How Do You Use It? Microsoft 365 - January 17th, 2023 [January 17th, 2023]
- Improving privacy when browsing web: Alternative browsers and chrome extensions - HackRead - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Tor Browser Bundle - Free download and software reviews - CNET Download - October 11th, 2022 [October 11th, 2022]
- Hacktivists seek to aid Iran protests with cyberattacks and tips on how to bypass internet censorship - CNBC - October 11th, 2022 [October 11th, 2022]
- This security firm claims to have the right tool for your privacy, and it's not a VPN - TechRadar - September 15th, 2022 [September 15th, 2022]
- A VPN Isn't the Only Way to Change Your IP Address - CNET - September 11th, 2022 [September 11th, 2022]
- Hi, I'll be your ransomware negotiator today but don't tell the crooks that - The Register - August 6th, 2022 [August 6th, 2022]
- Rewards for Justice Reward Offer for Information on Russian Interference in U.S. Elections - United States Department of State - Department of State - July 29th, 2022 [July 29th, 2022]
- How Tor Is Fightingand BeatingRussian Censorship - WIRED - July 29th, 2022 [July 29th, 2022]
- What Is Incognito Mode And Should You Be Using It? - Forbes - July 29th, 2022 [July 29th, 2022]
- TOR Browser - Onion VPN on the App Store - July 17th, 2022 [July 17th, 2022]
- Tor Browser now bypasses internet censorship automatically - BleepingComputer - July 17th, 2022 [July 17th, 2022]
- The dangers of the dark web: being safe online - Open Access Government - July 13th, 2022 [July 13th, 2022]
- Tor vs VPN: Which One Should You Use? - Dignited - June 30th, 2022 [June 30th, 2022]
- Rewards for Justice Offers Up to $10 Million for Information on Foreign Interference in US Elections - HS Today - HSToday - June 30th, 2022 [June 30th, 2022]
- Kremlin tightens control over Russians' online lives threatening domestic freedoms and the global internet - Jacksonville Journal-Courier - June 30th, 2022 [June 30th, 2022]
- Defence in Amanda Todd 'sextortion' trial zeroes in on missing data - The Tri-City News - June 30th, 2022 [June 30th, 2022]
- Now that 'Roe' has been overturned, it's up to the tech industry to protect our data - Fast Company - June 30th, 2022 [June 30th, 2022]
- QAnon Is Celebrating the Return of Its Leader After 18 Months of Silence - VICE - June 30th, 2022 [June 30th, 2022]
- 3 ways to find out if your passwords are being sold on the Dark Web - Komando - June 22nd, 2022 [June 22nd, 2022]
- EXPLAINER: EFCC 'Linked Naira Marley to the Dark Web'. Here's What You Need to Know About the Internet's Most Hidden Part - FIJ NG - June 11th, 2022 [June 11th, 2022]
- What is the Dark Web? - AOL - May 28th, 2022 [May 28th, 2022]
- Cookie Banners Can Be AnnoyingHere's How To Block Them - WRAL News - May 28th, 2022 [May 28th, 2022]
- DuckDuckGo tries to explain why its browsers won't block some Microsoft web trackers - The Register - May 28th, 2022 [May 28th, 2022]
- Proton VPN Secure Core: what it is and when you should use it - TechRadar - May 28th, 2022 [May 28th, 2022]
- How to Download & Install Tor Browser in Windows 10 - May 7th, 2022 [May 7th, 2022]
- How to Unblock a Webpage from Behind a Firewall - Beebom - May 7th, 2022 [May 7th, 2022]
- Download Tor Browser For Windows & MAC (Offline Installer) - May 1st, 2022 [May 1st, 2022]
- Tor Browser - Dark Web Portal Exposed | Dark Web Wiki - May 1st, 2022 [May 1st, 2022]
- Top 10 dark web links & Tor websites for 2022 - Surfshark - May 1st, 2022 [May 1st, 2022]
- How to Install the Tor Browser on a Chromebook - May 1st, 2022 [May 1st, 2022]
- How to Anonymous access to the dark web with Tor - BollyInside - May 1st, 2022 [May 1st, 2022]
- How to Change the Tor Browser Language - How-To Geek - April 29th, 2022 [April 29th, 2022]
- Bites of Life: Shining Light on the Dark Web - Macalester College The Mac Weekly - April 29th, 2022 [April 29th, 2022]
- How to protect against the weakest link in cybersecurity THE USERS - Security Boulevard - April 29th, 2022 [April 29th, 2022]
- What Is Dark Social and Why It Matters - Legal Talk Network - April 29th, 2022 [April 29th, 2022]
- IP bans - why they happen and how to prevent them - Oneindia - April 29th, 2022 [April 29th, 2022]
- Deep Web Tor Browser - Tor Links - Onion Links (2022) - April 20th, 2022 [April 20th, 2022]
- How to Install and Use the Tor Browser on Linux - April 20th, 2022 [April 20th, 2022]
- The Best VPN for Binance 2022 [How to Use Binance With a VPN] - Cloudwards - April 20th, 2022 [April 20th, 2022]
- Three tactics for security providers in the age of Dark Web collaboration - SecurityInfoWatch - April 20th, 2022 [April 20th, 2022]
- Simple way to Install Tor Browser in Rocky Linux 8 - Linux Shout - March 17th, 2022 [March 17th, 2022]
- Laptop in Veltman apartment had what appeared to be 'hate-related material': docs - Lethbridge News Now - March 17th, 2022 [March 17th, 2022]
- How to Access Blocked Websites anywhere and for Free - BollyInside - March 17th, 2022 [March 17th, 2022]
- Download Tor Browser for Mac - Free - 10.0 - Digital Trends - March 11th, 2022 [March 11th, 2022]
- Open in Tor Browser Get this Extension for Firefox (en-US) - March 11th, 2022 [March 11th, 2022]
- Use Brave Private Browsing with Tor to Hide IP Address - OSXDaily - February 21st, 2022 [February 21st, 2022]
- Are Crypto Transactions More Transparent Than Wire Transfers? - InvestingCube - February 21st, 2022 [February 21st, 2022]
- The Truth about Dark Web Is It Really Dangerous? - Crypto Mode - February 21st, 2022 [February 21st, 2022]
- Tech-Savvy Professionals Among 22 Arrested In Dark Web Narcotics Operation - NDTV - February 15th, 2022 [February 15th, 2022]
- Download Tor Browser for Windows - Free - 11.0.3 - February 1st, 2022 [February 1st, 2022]
- Tor Project heads to Russian court to appeal against censorship - The Daily Swig - February 1st, 2022 [February 1st, 2022]
- Firefox Monitor may remove personal information now from the Internet - Ghacks Technology News - December 9th, 2021 [December 9th, 2021]
- The Real Russia. Today. Reining in an unruly Communist Party Meduza - Meduza - December 9th, 2021 [December 9th, 2021]
- See the stunning mansion Josh Duggar is calling home during his child pornography trial ahead of possible... - The US Sun - December 9th, 2021 [December 9th, 2021]
- Whats the Difference Between the Deep Web and the Dark Web? - How-To Geek - December 9th, 2021 [December 9th, 2021]
- How to Access the Dark Web Complete Guide? - The Bulletin Time - December 7th, 2021 [December 7th, 2021]
- Theres More to Threat Intelligence Than Dark Web Monitoring - Security Boulevard - November 25th, 2021 [November 25th, 2021]
- You have to work on this through the routeras options diet plan, as some items immediately restore previous setup after a forced reboot - ADOTAS - November 25th, 2021 [November 25th, 2021]
- What is Tor (Browser) & How does it work? | CyberNews - November 23rd, 2021 [November 23rd, 2021]
- Privacy-Protective Internet Browser Tor Is Running Low on Servers - Gizmodo - November 23rd, 2021 [November 23rd, 2021]
- Yes, the Internet has become safer but a VPN is still needed - TechGenix - November 19th, 2021 [November 19th, 2021]
- Scots businessman caught with the 'most serious' category of child abuse images jailed - Scottish Daily Record - November 19th, 2021 [November 19th, 2021]
- Anna and Josh Duggar welcomed daughter Madyson Lily on October 23, their 7th child * starcasm.net - Starcasm - November 17th, 2021 [November 17th, 2021]
- Tor Browser (Alpha) 11.0.9 Download | TechSpot - November 5th, 2021 [November 5th, 2021]
- US government offers $10 million bounty for information on Colonial Pipeline hackers - The Verge - November 5th, 2021 [November 5th, 2021]
- The Tor Browser: What is it and why would you use it ... - October 24th, 2021 [October 24th, 2021]
- Tor Explained: What is Tor? How Does It Work? Is It Illegal? - October 21st, 2021 [October 21st, 2021]
- Alternatives to Using a VPN That Provided Excellent Anonymity While Online - TechBullion - October 21st, 2021 [October 21st, 2021]
- Slicing open The Onion Router (Tor) with no tears - ComputerWeekly.com - October 19th, 2021 [October 19th, 2021]
- What is the dark web? - fox4kc.com - October 19th, 2021 [October 19th, 2021]