Security experts spotted a new variant of the CryptoMix ransomware that uses a different extension (.FILE) and a new set of contact emails.

Security experts from BleepingComputer discovered a new variant of the CryptoMix ransomware that uses a different extension (.FILE) to append to the file names of the encrypted files and uses new contact emails.

For example, a file encrypted by this variant of ransomware has an encrypted file name of 0D0A516824060636C21EC8BC280FEA12.FILE.

Experts discovered that this variant uses the same encryption methods of previous ones, the ransomware uses the same ransom note is still named _HELP_INSTRUCTION.TXT, but the contact emails to receive the payment instructions are file1@keemail.me, file1@protonmail.com, file1m@yandex.com, file1n@yandex.com, and file1@techie.com.

Further details and the IoCs are included in the post published on Bleeping Computer.

“As we are always looking for weaknesses, if you are a victim of this variant and decide to pay the ransom, please send us the decryptor so we can take a look at it. You can also discuss or receive support for Cryptomix ransomware infections in our dedicated Cryptomix Help & Support Topic.” wrote Lawrence Abrams.

Below the list of recommendations provided by the experts to protect your system from ransomware attacks.

Backup, Backup, Backup!

Do not open attachments if you do not know who sent them.

Do not open attachments until you confirm that the person actually sent you them.

Enable the showing of file extensions.

If an attachment ends with .js, .vbs, .exe, .scr, or .bat, do not open them for any reason.

Scan attachments with tools like VirusTotal.

Make sure all Windows updates are installed as soon as they come out! Also make sure you update all programs, especially Java, Flash, and Adobe Reader. Older programs contain security vulnerabilities that are commonly exploited by malware distributors. Therefore it is important to keep them updated.

Make sure you use have some sort of security software installed that uses behavioral detections or white list technology. White listing can be a pain to train, but if your willing to stock with it, could have the biggest payoffs.

Use hard passwords and never reuse the same password at multiple sites.

If you are interested in Indicators of Compromise give a look at the blog post.

Pierluigi Paganini

(Security Affairs – Cryptomix Ransomware, cybercrime)

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