'java File Extension' Ransomware

The 'java File Extension' Ransomware is a Trojan from the Dharma Ransomware family, a sub-group of file-locking threats that cybercrooks can generate with the Crysis Ransomware's toolkit. Attacks by this Trojan may try to lock your non-essential files, such as pictures, change cosmetic aspects of the user interface, or collect ransoms through text messages selling a decryptor. Any victims of an infection should do their best to ignore the ransom demands, uninstall the 'java File Extension' Ransomware with an appropriate anti-malware program, and recover their files through non-premium methods.

A Big Brand in Software is Now a Fake Brand for Extortion

The object-oriented language of Java is a foremost name in software development, but it also, occasionally, appears in the context of exploitable content for threatening software. On the other hand, it's even rarer than that for malware analysts to see its brand name hijacked for separate attacks, such as those of the Windows-based the 'java File Extension' Ransomware. This threat is a simple update of the Dharma Ransomware sub-family of file-locking Trojans, with as-of-yet-unknown reasons for selecting the unusual choice of its extension.

The 'java File Extension' Ransomware conducts attacks nearly identical to those of the rest of its family, which uses both AES and RSA ciphers to lock the victim's files and, then, the key to decoding them. This encryption method, usually, is unrecoverable without access to the key that the Trojan uploads to a C2 server. The 'java File Extension' Ransomware also flags the content that it locks (usually, targeting text documents, images, or other content associated with Microsoft Office) with a unique ID number for the infection and a '.java' extension.

The Trojan may use two methods of generating messages ransoming your files' decryption solution: an image that it uses for hijacking the desktop's wallpaper, and a text note. Malware experts recommend testing any encrypted content with free decryption software before considering paying the ransom the 'java File Extension' Ransomware's threat actors request. The Dharma Ransomware family has had internal database leaks that can help third parties with achieving data recovery, although you always should copy your files, first, in case the decryption method is incompatible.

Staying a Step Ahead of a Trojan Group's Updates

The last, significant update of the Dharma Ransomware, the Dharma 2017 Ransomware, is notable for its use of brute-force infection tactics that compromise network passwords with specialized hacking software. Unlike its recent ancestor, the 'java File Extension' Ransomware is focusing on e-mail spam for infecting new Windows systems. Victims are reporting fake invoice-themed messages that carry attachments for dropping the 'java File Extension' Ransomware in randomly-named Word documents. Users who scan these files before opening them should detect the Trojan's installer before the 'java File Extension' Ransomware can encrypt any media.

Because of the possible unavailability of a free decryptor for the 'java File Extension' Ransomware, users without backups are at a high risk of being unable to restore their files. Paying ransoms also don't purchase a real or working decryption solution necessarily, and malware analysts recommend avoiding it, if possible, and backing up your files preemptively. Safely uninstalling the 'java File Extension' Ransomware should use anti-malware programs that already show good records for combating other members of the same family of file-locking threats, such as the Wallet Ransomware,the 'Lavandos@dr.com' Ransomware, the Arena Ransomware, or the webmafia@asia.com Ransomware.

The 'java File Extension' Ransomware isn't a Java-based program, and its reasoning behind the extension change is obtuse. However, what's transparent is that users with vulnerable e-mail accounts will need to continue vetting every message they receive for potential trouble like Trojans bearing document-themed disguises.