JackSparrow Ransomware

The JackSparrow Ransomware is a file-locking Trojan that's a part of the CryptoWire Ransomware family. The JackSparrow Ransomware can block the user's files from opening by encrypting their data with AES-256 and create highly-visible pop-ups with ransom demands. Users should keep appropriate backups for recovering from any encryption or corruption of their media and use anti-malware software for deleting the JackSparrow Ransomware when it's necessary.

A Small-Time Trojan Family Dabbles in Piracy

The CryptoWire Ransomware and its various offspring are forgettable in the far more numerous and well-developed campaigns of global Ransomware-as-a-Services easily, like Russia's Scarab Ransomware or the Asia-leaning STOP Ransomware. Nonetheless, smaller numbers don't indicate any less danger in infections once they happen – and for some variants, like the KingOuroboros Ransomware, quite the contrary. An update to the KingOuroboros Ransomware, the JackSparrow Ransomware, is adding movie franchise references to its extortion attacks.

The branch of the CryptoWire Ransomware that the JackSparrow Ransomware hails from includes both AES encryption for locking media files 'safely' and an overwriting bug that may make a file unusable permanently. While malware experts can't confirm whether or not the JackSparrow Ransomware carries this glitch, it's a likely possibility. In other symptoms, the JackSparrow Ransomware resembles similar family members like the wlojul@secmail.pro Ransomware and the VapeLauncher and can insert secondary 'encrypted' extensions into filenames and launch pop-ups.

Both of the last two features offer visible means of identifying the JackSparrow Ransomware infections and the associated family. The extensions insert themselves between the main text of each file's name and the original extension ('example.encrypted.jpg'), and the pop-up offers the usual CryptoWire Ransomware UI that lists the 'hostage' files, provides a Monero ransom button, and a decryption feature after paying. At a hundred Monero or over eight thousand USD, the JackSparrow Ransomware is likely leveraging its attacks against vulnerable business, government and NGO networks. However, random users might infect their PCs coincidentally.

Cutting Down on Crime on the Online Seas

The JackSparrow Ransomware belongs to one of the dozens of Trojan families that compensates for the presence of Windows backups by deleting them through silent Windows application commands. It also may turn off recovery-oriented features and system boot-up warnings that would alert users to the danger. For Windows users, saving at least one backup to a separate device is the soundest defense against the JackSparrow Ransomware infections statistically.

Malware researchers also recommend maintaining the usual means of protecting oneself from the JackSparrow Ransomware attacks as with other file-locking Trojans. Networks should restrict RDP feature usage heavily, employ unique and strong passwords for each profile, and have well-maintained version control and update schedules. E-mails also are infection vectors for some file-locker Trojans' campaigns and tend to propagate threats via macros or other document-embedded drive-by-downloads.

Users can depend on traditional anti-malware tools for removing the JackSparrow Ransomware or blocking its installer. Current databases are identifying the threat with highly satisfactory rates.

It's appropriate that the JackSparrow Ransomware is using a pirate's name since thievery under pressure is its raison d'etre. Users should be glad that outgunning this Trojan's payload doesn't require cannons or other armaments, just a little backup every once in a while.