Cvc Ransomware

The Cvc Ransomware is a file-locking Trojan that's part of the family of the Dharma Ransomware. The Cvc Ransomware can block media files from opening through its encryption feature while asking for a ransom through generic warning messages. Users with externally-secured backups are in little danger from this threat, although they still should have suitable PC security solutions to remove the Cvc Ransomware.

Estimating Trojan Geography by E-mail

With many Ransomware-as-a-Service campaigns, the next Trojan variant is a chameleon differing from its ancestors in few ways, besides addresses, random ID strings and some cosmetic features. Sometimes, though, threat actors leave clues for tracking in these small details intentionally or accidentally. The Cvc Ransomware, a refresher of the Dharma Ransomware RaaS, is such a case.

The Cvc Ransomware is a Windows threat specializing in blocking media, AKA, documents, images, spreadsheets, databases, movies, music, and other 'valuable' work and personal files. Its attack uses a well-secured AES encryption algorithm that converts each file while also adding ransom details at the ends of their names: an e-mail, 'cvc' extension, and serial for victims.

The e-mail for negotiating over the attacker's decryption help also comes in a copy-and-pasted pop-up alert that's generic to the family (see comparable relatives like the Aim Ransomware, the FREDD Ransomware, the Group Ransomware or the MUST Ransomware). Readers might take note of the variant 'Patrik' spelling of the common name 'Patrick,' which is typical of some European regions, including Norway and Sweden. While this choice could be purely-random, the resemblance leads malware experts to recommend anticipating possible drive-by-downloads using themes relevant to that area of the world.

However, the Cvc Ransomware includes no known self-removal options for systems with 'inappropriate' language settings or other self-destruct methods. Accordingly, most Windows users are at risk from the file-blocking feature.

Throwing Away Trojan Ransoms before They Happen

By contrast with its threat actor's e-mail, the Cvc Ransomware's extension is more likely to be random letters and offers too many possibilities for narrowing down any possible infection exploits. However, due to this Trojan's family's proliferation through multiple means, all Windows users should practice security habits that limit potential attacks from this or another variant. Network and server admins should be attentive to their password management and any possibility of a brute-force or dictionary attack.

Other infection vectors that malware analysts see as relevant to 2020-dated, file-locker Trojans' campaigns include:

• Disguised e-mail attachments (such as fake invoices with macros)
• Fake updates for JavaScript, media players, etc.
• Bundles in illegal downloads (game cracks or stolen movies)

Law-abiding browsing habits, security steps like turning off JavaScript and installing patches, and due diligence around any download requests will protect most Windows users. The role of sufficiently-secured backups also helps with recovery since the Dharma Ransomware family lacks a current free decryption service. Most anti-malware programs will delete the Cvc Ransomware on sight as per the latest sample detection rates.

The Cvc Ransomware might tailor its drive-by-downloads towards the nationalities with which its attacker is most familiar. On the other hand, it's just as likely of ranging abroad, but hopefully, most Windows users should have the backups to handle it.