Ransomware continues to evolve over time, as criminals come up with new ways to cause havoc. Koolova, a new strain of malware, is doing things very differently. In fact, it is relatively easy to get rid of the ransomware infection, as long as one reads two cyber security articles. This makes it one of the only types of malware to not demand a financial ransom to unlock encrypted files.
Koolova Is An Unusual Type of Malware
On the surface, Koolova behaves like any other type of ransomware the world has ever seen. Infected computers will have files encrypted, and users will be unable to access the data stored on their machine. In most cases, one would expect the ransomware would then proceed to demand a fee, which usually has to be paid in Bitcoin.
This is where Koolova does things very differently, as there is no ransom demand. Instead, users are asked to read two cyber security articles. A rather unusual approach to distributing malware, yet it also aims to address the ransomware threat in general. As soon as victims read the two cyber security articles in question, they will receive the decryption key to regaining access to their files.
Forcing victims to read two cyber security articles will help people become more aware of the malware threat looming around every corner. In most cases, computer users are infected by ransomware due to lackluster security precautions, or sheer carelessness. Being forced to read up on these types of precautions will hopefully aid users in avoiding actual ransomware threats in the future. After all, getting rid of most types of ransomware infections will cost a pretty penny.
Koolova is based on Jigsaw, a modern malware strain that made a name for itself a while ago. However, Koolova positions itself as the “nice cousin” of Jigsaw, since there is no monetary incentive. Users are forced to deal with the repercussions of getting infected with ransomware, which serves as a harsh wake-up call. Internet users need to be aware of these dangers and take the necessary steps to secure their systems at all times.
What is rather intriguing is the choice of these two cybersecurity articles. One piece of content touches upon how users can stay safe while browsing. Malicious websites are often the preferred distribution method for malware and ransomware. The second article talks about Jigsaw ransomware itself, which is the code base for Koolova itself.
Do not be mistaken in thinking Koolova is entirely harmless, though. If victims fail to read the articles provided by the malware, the affected files will be wiped from the computer. It is of the utmost importance to read the articles within the time limit and receive the decryption key after doing so. For now, it remains unclear who is responsible for creating Koolova.
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