*[email protected]**.wallet

[Content by Gemini 2.5]

The file extension *[email protected]**.wallet indicates a variant of a well-known ransomware family, most commonly Phobos or Dharma (also known as Crisis). These families are part of the Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) model, where multiple affiliates use the same core code but customize the ransom note and contact email, leading to a proliferation of different extensions and email addresses.

Here’s a detailed resource for the community about this specific ransomware variant:

Technical Breakdown:

1. File Extension & Renaming Patterns

  • Confirmation of File Extension: The exact file extension used by this variant is .[[email protected]].wallet. It’s appended to the original file name after the ransomware encrypts it.
  • Renaming Convention: The typical file renaming pattern employed by this variant follows a structure common to Phobos/Dharma ransomware:
    original_filename.id[victim_ID_string].[[email protected]].wallet
    For example, a file named document.docx might be renamed to document.docx.id[A0B1C2D3-E4F5G6H7].[[email protected]].wallet.
    • id[victim_ID_string]: A unique identifier for the victim’s machine, often generated during the infection process.
    • [[email protected]]: The attacker’s specified email address for contact and ransom negotiations.
    • .wallet: The final static extension appended to all encrypted files.

2. Detection & Outbreak Timeline

  • Approximate Start Date/Period: Variants like *[email protected]**.wallet are part of the ongoing evolution of the Phobos/Dharma ransomware families. While Phobos and Dharma have been active since at least 2017-2018, specific email addresses like [email protected] appear intermittently as new affiliates emerge or existing ones rotate their contact information. Therefore, this specific extension likely started appearing in late 2023 or early 2024, aligning with the continuous deployment of new Phobos/Dharma strains. These types of extensions appear frequently, making it hard to pinpoint a single “start date” for an email address variant, but rather an ongoing threat.

3. Primary Attack Vectors

*[email protected]**.wallet (and generally Phobos/Dharma variants) primarily leverages common attack vectors that exploit weak security practices and unpatched systems.

  • Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) Exploitation: This is arguably the most common and preferred method. Attackers scan for publicly exposed RDP ports (usually 3389) and then:
    • Brute-Force Attacks: Attempt to guess weak or commonly used RDP credentials.
    • Credential Stuffing: Use leaked credentials from previous data breaches to gain access.
    • Exploitation of Vulnerabilities: Target unpatched RDP vulnerabilities (though less common for these specific families, it’s a general RDP risk). Once RDP access is gained, the ransomware payload is manually or semi-automatically deployed.
  • Phishing Campaigns: Malicious emails designed to trick recipients into:
    • Opening Malicious Attachments: Containing scripts, executables, or documents with macros that download and execute the ransomware.
    • Clicking Malicious Links: Leading to compromised websites that host the ransomware payload or exploit browser/software vulnerabilities (drive-by downloads).
  • Software Vulnerabilities: Exploiting unpatched vulnerabilities in:
    • Operating Systems: E.g., older Windows versions lacking critical security updates (like those related to SMBv1, although less common for Phobos/Dharma itself, it can be a pathway for initial access).
    • Third-Party Software: Vulnerabilities in common applications, web servers, or network devices that allow initial access or privilege escalation.
  • Cracked Software/Keygens/Pirated Content: Users downloading illegitimate software often find it bundled with malware, including ransomware, or designed to install backdoors that facilitate later ransomware deployment.
  • Malvertising: Malicious advertisements leading users to compromise sites.

Remediation & Recovery Strategies:

1. Prevention

Proactive measures are the most effective defense against *[email protected]**.wallet and similar ransomware threats:

  • Strong RDP Security:
    • Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts, especially those with RDP access.
    • Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for RDP and other remote access services.
    • Restrict RDP access to a VPN or specific trusted IP addresses.
    • Change the default RDP port (though this is more “security by obscurity” than a robust defense).
    • Disable RDP if not strictly necessary.
  • Regular Backups: Implement a robust 3-2-1 backup strategy:
    • 3 copies of your data.
    • On 2 different media types.
    • With 1 copy offsite/offline or immutable (air-gapped or cloud storage with versioning/immutability). This is the most critical recovery method.
  • Patch Management: Keep all operating systems, software, and firmware up-to-date with the latest security patches.
  • Endpoint Protection: Deploy and maintain reputable antivirus (AV) software and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions across all endpoints. Ensure they are configured to block suspicious activities and regularly updated.
  • Network Segmentation: Divide your network into isolated segments to limit the lateral movement of ransomware if an infection occurs in one segment.
  • Email Security: Implement robust email filtering solutions to block malicious attachments and links. Educate users about phishing awareness.
  • Disable Unnecessary Services: Turn off services and ports that are not essential for business operations.
  • Principle of Least Privilege: Grant users and applications only the minimum necessary permissions to perform their tasks.

2. Removal

If your system is infected, follow these steps to remove *[email protected]**.wallet:

  1. Isolate the Infected System: Immediately disconnect the infected computer from the network (unplug the Ethernet cable or disable Wi-Fi). This prevents the ransomware from spreading to other devices.
  2. Identify and Terminate Processes: Use Task Manager (Windows) or process monitoring tools to identify any suspicious processes (e.g., high CPU/disk usage, unknown executables). Terminate them if possible, though ransomware often has self-termination protection.
  3. Boot into Safe Mode: Restart the computer in Safe Mode (with Networking, if necessary for tools, but ideally without). This often prevents the ransomware from fully loading.
  4. Scan and Remove Malware:
    • Run a full system scan using a reputable and up-to-date anti-malware solution (e.g., Malwarebytes, Windows Defender Offline, Sophos HitmanPro).
    • Use multiple scanners if one doesn’t fully remove it.
  5. Clean Up Persistence Mechanisms:
    • Check common persistence locations:
      • Registry Editor (regedit): Look for suspicious entries in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.
      • Task Scheduler: Look for newly created tasks designed to launch the ransomware.
      • Startup Folders: Check shell:startup and shell:common startup.
    • Remove any entries related to the ransomware.
  6. Check for Backdoors/Other Malware: Phobos/Dharma variants might be deployed manually after an attacker gains access, meaning other tools or backdoors could be present. Perform a thorough forensic analysis if feasible, or consider a full system reimage.

Important: Do not pay the ransom. There’s no guarantee of decryption, and it encourages further attacks.

3. File Decryption & Recovery

  • Recovery Feasibility:
    • Direct Decryption: Unfortunately, for most recent Phobos/Dharma variants, including *[email protected]**.wallet, there is no publicly available universal decryption tool without the attacker’s private key. The encryption is strong (typically AES-256 for files and RSA-2048 for the encryption key), making brute-forcing impossible. The No More Ransom Project (www.nomoreransom.org) is the first place to check, but new Phobos/Dharma variants rarely have free decryptors unless a flaw is found or law enforcement seizes the keys.
  • Essential Tools/Methods for Recovery:
    1. Restore from Backups (Most Reliable): This is by far the most effective and reliable method. If you have clean, uninfected backups from before the attack, you can restore your files. Ensure the backup medium itself is not compromised.
    2. Shadow Volume Copies (Limited Success): Ransomware like Phobos/Dharma often attempts to delete Shadow Volume Copies using commands like vssadmin delete shadows /all /quiet. However, it’s worth checking if any older shadow copies remain un-deleted, or if the command failed. You can use tools like ShadowExplorer to browse and potentially restore files from these copies.
    3. Data Recovery Software (Low Success for Encrypted Files): Tools like Recuva or EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard might be able to recover deleted original files, especially if the ransomware didn’t securely overwrite them. However, they cannot decrypt the encrypted .wallet files. Success is generally low as ransomware often overwrites files rather than just deleting them.
  • Essential Tools/Patches:
    • Operating System Updates: Keep Windows and all software fully patched.
    • Reputable Antivirus/EDR Solutions: For prevention and initial detection/removal.
    • Backup Solutions: Critical for recovery (e.g., Veeam, Acronis, cloud backup services).
    • Password Managers: To enforce strong, unique passwords.
    • MFA Solutions: For enhanced account security.

4. Other Critical Information

  • Additional Precautions:
    • Ransom Notes: The ransomware typically drops ransom notes named info.txt and info.hta (or similar) in affected folders and on the desktop. These notes contain instructions on how to contact the attackers via email ([email protected]) and usually state the ransom amount and a deadline.
    • Disabling Security Features: This variant, like other Phobos/Dharma strains, will attempt to disable security software, delete shadow copies, and modify registry entries to maintain persistence.
    • Manual Deployment: Often, these infections are the result of manual deployment by an attacker who has gained initial access, rather than a fully automated worm. This means the attacker might have spent time exploring your network before deploying the payload.
  • Broader Impact:
    • Significant Data Loss: If proper backups are not in place, the encrypted data becomes irrecoverable.
    • Operational Disruption: Business operations can be severely halted, leading to significant financial losses from downtime.
    • Financial Costs: Beyond potential ransom, recovery efforts involve significant costs in IT remediation, potential legal fees, and reputational damage.
    • Potential Data Exfiltration (Double Extortion): While Phobos/Dharma historically focused on encryption, newer ransomware groups increasingly engage in double extortion, where data is exfiltrated before encryption. If the attacker had prolonged access, assume data theft is a possibility and conduct an investigation.
    • Compliance and Reporting: Depending on the type of data involved (e.g., PII, healthcare records), organizations may have legal obligations to report the breach to authorities and affected individuals.

By understanding the technical characteristics and implementing comprehensive prevention and recovery strategies, individuals and organizations can significantly reduce their risk and mitigate the impact of *[email protected]**.wallet and similar ransomware threats.