PC-FunHACKED! Ransomware

The PC-FunHACKED! Ransomware is a new variant of the Jigsaw Ransomware family. Along with locking your media files by encoding them with its encryption algorithm, the PC-FunHACKED! Ransomware can delete files repeatedly and display pop-ups with Saw movie franchise-themed ransom notes. The users should avoid rebooting without using steps for disabling all threats, after which, they can delete the PC-FunHACKED! Ransomware with a Windows-compatible anti-malware program.

All the Fun of Extortion on a Countdown

The Jigsaw Ransomware family, while not nearly as business-like or, presumably, profitable as campaigns like those of the Globe Ransomware or Scarab Ransomware, is prone to evoking strong reactions from its victims with its intimidating imagery. More importantly than its looks, however, is its file-destroying capabilities, which begin with encryption and end with total deletion. Unfortunately, malware researchers can confirm another source of these attacks – the variant the PC-FunHACKED! Ransomware.

The PC-FunHACKED! Ransomware is a slightly glitchy version of the Jigsaw Ransomware. Although its bugs don't hamper the AES encryption that it uses for locking documents and other media, it may insert its extension into their filenames multiple times. Infections use Windows Registry-based exploits for launching the PC-FunHACKED! Ransomware, after which, the encryption routine loads in the background. There is a generalized Jigsaw decryptor solution available that may recover your files, although malware experts strongly encourage backing up the encrypted versions in case of any unanticipated incompatibilities.

The more arduous portion of the PC-FunHACKED! Ransomware's payload conveys itself through an HTA pop-up, which shows, besides the ransoming instructions, a looping timer. The PC-FunHACKED! Ransomware deletes files every time the countdown finishes, and significantly more of them whenever the PC restarts. The victims should, accordingly, avoid booting their infected systems without using Safe Mode, a USB-based startup, or other means of disabling the PC-FunHACKED! Ransomware's auto-launching routine.

Escaping a Questionably Fun Time on Hacked Computers

Windows machines are the only systems at risk from the Jigsaw Ransomware family, whose members include the '.FuckedByGhost File Extension' Ransomware, the '.justice File Extension' Ransomware, the Pennywise Ransomware, the Jokers House Ransomware, the Ramsey Ransomware and more. Users should assume that the Restore Points aren't available necessarily since most configurations of the Jigsaw Ransomware include other attacks for wiping these backups. Time restraints, also, should be taken under consideration, due to the PC-FunHACKED! Ransomware's potentially erasing hundreds or even thousands of files if the user ignores it.

Microsoft's website provides instructions on creating USB recovery drives for restarting Windows safely. The Safe Mode environment, which users can access by tapping F8 before Windows loads, is another alternative that should disable many threats, including the PC-FunHACKED! Ransomware. With the Trojan inactive, most anti-malware programs should have no issues with removing the PC-FunHACKED! Ransomware from your computer.

The quality of the PC-FunHACKED! Ransomware's bug-testing is questionable, but its encryption capabilities aren't. Any users thinking that the Jigsaw Ransomware is a phenomenon of 2016 may be in for an uncomfortable encounter with reality.