Microsoft reports fast increase of new CryptoWall ransomware infections

After two months of relative few infections, a new version of the CryptoWall ransomware has appeared. The new version of the famous CryptoWall malware was able to infect 288 Windows systems in a single day, according to Microsoft. CryptoWall 3.0 spreads the same way as previous versions, by drive-by downloads and through malware already installed on computers.

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Once CryptoWall becomes active, the malware starts to encrypt all kinds of files and then demands a ransom of $500 to be paid in Bitcoins. Victims are given 167 hours to pay the ransom, if the demands are not met the price increased. Previous versions raised the ransom to $1,000.

Older versions of CryptoWall were controlled over the Tor Network, but CryptoWall 3.0 uses the Invisible Internet Project (I2P), according to security researcher Kafeine from the Malware Don't Need Coffee blog. I2P is a networking layer which allows applications to exchange messages safe and anonymously.

Earlier versions of CryptoWall would have infected close to 1 million computers making it the most successful ransomware ever.

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