How to Protect Against Chort and Other Ransomware Attacks

Preventing a ransomware infection is always better than trying to recover after one. Here are key steps to protect yourself:

1. Use Reputable Security Software: Install and maintain reliable antivirus and anti-malware. Regular scans can prevent malware from infecting your system.
2. Be Wary of Phishing Emails: Always scrutinize emails with attachments or links, especially if unexpected or from unknown senders.
3. Keep Software Up-to-Date: Ensure your operating system, software, and antivirus programs are up to date. Software updates often include patches for security vulnerabilities.
4. Backup Data Regularly: Regularly backup important data to an external storage device or cloud storage. Ensure backups are not encrypted in an attack.
5. Disable Macros in Microsoft Office: Disable macros by default to avoid accidentally executing malicious code.
6. Avoid Pirated Software: Downloading pirated software from untrusted sources exposes you to high risks. Always download from official websites.

Recovering Files Encrypted by Chort Ransomware: How Our Decryptor Can Help

If your system has been compromised by Chort, you’re likely dealing with a challenge: how to recover your encrypted files without paying a ransom. Fortunately, our powerful Chort Decryptor is designed to help you safely restore your files, avoiding the risk of paying attackers for a decryption key.

Why Trust Our Chort Decryptor?

Our Chort Decryptor is a reliable tool for several reasons:

1. Precision-Engineered Decryption: Our tool is specifically designed to combat Chort’s encryption mechanisms.
2. Fast and User-Friendly: You don’t need to be a tech expert to use our decryptor. Its intuitive interface allows anyone to recover files in minutes.
3. Guaranteed Data Integrity: Our decryptor preserves file integrity throughout the decryption process.

In case of any issues during decryption, remote support via Anydesk or similar tools is available.

Free Methods to Attempt Recovery

Though decryption without the attacker’s key is challenging, there are still steps you can take, many of which are free. Here are several methods to attempt:

1. Check for Existing Decryptor Tools

• NoMoreRansom Project: This collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity firms offers free decryption tools for various ransomware variants. While RansomHub is not currently listed as supported, it’s worth checking periodically for updates, as cybersecurity experts continually analyze ransomware strains and may eventually release a decryptor.
  • Visit: NoMoreRansom.org
• Kaspersky Ransomware Decryptor: Kaspersky provides decryption tools for certain ransomware strains. While RansomHub is not currently supported, monitoring security providers for updates could provide a future solution.

2. Restoring from Backups

• If you have recent backups of your encrypted data, this is the best solution for recovery. You should regularly back up your files, and it is especially crucial to have offline backups that are immune to ransomware attacks. If backups exist, follow the steps below:
  1. Isolate the infected system to prevent the ransomware from spreading further.
  2. Remove the ransomware by performing a clean reinstallation of the operating system.
  3. Restore your files from backups stored on an external drive, cloud service, or other secure locations.

3. Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) Restoration

• Some ransomware variants attempt to delete Volume Shadow Copies, which are backups Windows automatically creates. If the ransomware did not delete these backups, you may be able to restore your system using this service.
  • To check if shadow copies are available:
    1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
    2. Type vssadmin list shadows and press Enter.
    3. If there are any available snapshots, you can attempt to restore files from them using tools like ShadowExplorer.
  • Keep in mind that RansomHub affiliates often use tools like vssadmin.exe to delete these backups during their attack, so this method may not always work​.

4. System Restore

• If your operating system has System Restore points enabled, you may be able to revert your system to a state before the infection occurred. This method won’t recover encrypted files but may help restore some system functionality or prevent further damage.
  • To restore your system:
    1. Access System Restore via Control Panel or the Recovery menu during startup.
    2. Choose a restore point from before the infection and follow the on-screen instructions.

5. Data Recovery Tools

• In some cases, even after ransomware encrypts files, remnants of unencrypted data may remain on the hard drive. Free data recovery tools like Recuva or PhotoRec can sometimes recover deleted or unencrypted versions of files.
  • These tools work best when the ransomware does not overwrite or fully delete the original data. Although success is not guaranteed, running these programs may recover partial or older versions of your files.

6. Contact Law Enforcement

• Reporting the ransomware incident to local or national cybersecurity agencies (such as the FBI or CISA in the U.S.) can sometimes yield results. These agencies often work with cybersecurity firms to analyze ransomware and potentially crack its encryption. Law enforcement may also provide guidance on how to proceed without paying the ransom.
  • Report incidents to CISA’s Ransomware Reporting System or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

7. Avoid Paying the Ransom

• Do not pay the ransom. Paying the attackers does not guarantee they will provide a decryption key, and in some cases, paying emboldens the ransomware group to continue attacking others. Moreover, paying could expose you to further exploitation, as the attackers now know you are willing to negotiate.

8. Regularly Monitor Security Updates

• Cybersecurity researchers and organizations regularly release updates on newly discovered vulnerabilities and ransomware decryption methods. Subscribing to security alerts from platforms like BleepingComputer, Sophos, or CISA can help keep you informed of any new developments in RansomHub decryption efforts.

9. Engage with Security Forums

• Participating in cybersecurity forums such as Reddit’s r/ransomware, BleepingComputer’s forums, or other online communities can sometimes yield advice from experts or victims who may have encountered similar strains of ransomware. Fellow users may offer insights on specific vulnerabilities or unpatched flaws in the ransomware’s encryption method.

Meet Chort – the latest group added to our platform of Decryptor.org

Their website currently lists six victims, five from the USA, and one high-profile target: Kuwait’s Ministry of Finance. Chort’s main focus? The education sector, based on victim segmentation. Lately, we’ve been identifying more emerging ransomware groups, many of which currently have no listed victims. This trend suggests that we could see a rise in new and active ransomware groups in the near future.

What is Chort Ransomware?

Chort ransomware is a new ransomware that was just reported. This ransomware type operates by encrypting victims’ files, appending a “.Chort” extension to the original filename along with a string of random characters and the attacker’s email address. This makes the files completely inaccessible, rendering them unusable without the attackers’ decryption tool.

For example, a file named image.jpg will be renamed to something like image.jpg.[3GJ77L5].[[email protected]].Chort, rendering it impossible to open the file. The attackers leave behind a ransom note named +README-WARNING+.txt, instructing victims to contact them via email or the Tox messaging platform for further instructions on paying the ransom.

What Makes Chort Ransomware Unique?

Chort ransomware is notable for several reasons:

1. Desktop Wallpaper Modification: It not only encrypts files but also modifies the desktop wallpaper, alerting victims that their files have been encrypted and directing them to the ransom note.

2. Advanced Encryption Algorithms: Chort uses advanced encryption algorithms to lock files, which makes decryption without the attacker’s private key nearly impossible unless security researchers find vulnerabilities in its encryption scheme.

How Does Chort Ransomware Spread?

Like most ransomware, Chort relies on a variety of infection vectors to gain access to systems. Here are the primary methods through which Chort spreads:

1. Phishing Emails: These emails often appear legitimate and may include attachments or links that, when clicked, download and execute the ransomware on the user’s machine.
2. Malicious Attachments and Links: Cybercriminals attach infected files or include links leading to websites that execute the malware. PDFs, Word documents with macros, and JavaScript files are commonly used to deliver the payload.
3. Exploit Kits: Cybercriminals leverage vulnerabilities in outdated software, often delivered through malicious advertisements or compromised websites. Once the vulnerability is exploited, the ransomware is silently installed on the victim’s system.
4. Peer-to-Peer Networks and Torrent Downloads: Downloading pirated software or media from unsafe peer-to-peer platforms is another common method for delivering ransomware.
5. Fake Software Updates: Users are tricked into downloading ransomware by clicking on pop-up ads that claim their software is outdated and requires an update.

What Happens After Infection?

Once Chort infects a device, it initiates an encryption process that locks the user’s files using a complex cryptographic algorithm. After encryption:

1. Filename Modification: The filenames are appended with the.Chort extension, and random characters along with the attacker’s email address are added to the filename.
2. Ransom Note: A ransom note is placed in every folder where files have been encrypted, and the desktop wallpaper is changed.
3. Ransom Demand: The ransom note, titled +README-WARNING+.txt, provides instructions for victims to contact the attackers, typically via [email protected] or qTox, a secure chat platform.

Content of the Ransom Note

The Chort ransom note reads as follows:

::: Hey :::
What’s going on? Your files have been encrypted. You must pay to recover them.
Is there a guarantee? The attackers claim they are running a “business” and will decrypt two small files as a demonstration.
How to recover files? Payment is required, usually in cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin. After payment, a decryption program is promised.
How to contact the attackers? Through email at [email protected] or a secure qTox ID.
The ransom note also includes a warning: “Do not try to modify encrypted files, as this may cause permanent data loss.”

Should You Pay the Ransom?

Cybersecurity experts strongly advise against paying the ransom, for several reasons:

1. No Guarantee: Paying the ransom does not guarantee that the attackers will provide a working decryption tool.
2. Encouraging Cybercrime: Paying the ransom funds cybercriminal operations, encouraging them to continue and evolve their attacks.
3. Legal and Ethical Implications: Paying a ransom may be illegal in certain jurisdictions and could lead to additional targeting as attackers know the victim is willing to pay.

Chort ransomware is a serious threat to your files and data. However, with our Chort Decryptor, you can safely recover your files and avoid paying a ransom to cybercriminals.

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