Doxware – An Evolution In Malware/Extortionware

Doxware Is A New Evolution In Cyber-Extortion

With The Same Goal In Mind As Sextortion, Doxware Steals Documents And Photos For The Purpose Of Extortion, But Unlike Sextortion It Uses Malware.

Doxware is a type of malware that threatens to publish a victim’s private information online unless a ransom is paid. It’s also known as “leakware” or “extortionware.” Unlike traditional ransomware that encrypts a victim’s data, doxware steals sensitive information and threatens to publicly release it if the victim does not pay the ransom.

Doxware can be used in a variety of cyberattacks, including phishing emails, social engineering, and drive-by downloads. Once the malware is installed on a victim’s device, it can gather personal information such as login credentials, financial information, and sensitive files. The attacker can then threaten to publicly release this information unless the victim pays the ransom demand.

One of the reasons why doxware is a growing concern is that it can have severe consequences for both individuals and organizations. Publicly releasing sensitive information can damage a victim’s reputation, harm their personal and professional relationships, and even lead to financial ruin. For businesses, doxware attacks can result in the loss of sensitive data, regulatory fines, and damage to their brand reputation.

Moreover, doxware attacks are often difficult to defend against since attackers can use a range of techniques to infiltrate a victim’s device or network. Prevention techniques include implementing strong password policies, using two-factor authentication, regularly backing up important data, and training employees to identify and avoid phishing scams.

In short, doxware is a type of malware that poses a significant threat to individuals and organizations alike. It is essential to be aware of the risks and take steps to protect personal and sensitive information to avoid falling victim to these types of attacks.

How Does A User Become Infected With Doxware?

A user can become infected with doxware through a variety of methods, including:

• Email phishing: Doxware attackers may use phishing emails to trick users into downloading and installing malware. The emails may contain a link or an attachment that, when clicked or opened, installs the malware on the user’s device.
• Malicious downloads: Doxware can be hidden in software downloads or updates that users may download from untrusted or fake websites. For instance, attackers may trick users into downloading fake updates for their system software or web browser, which includes doxware.
• Drive-by downloads: Doxware can be silently downloaded onto a user’s device when they visit a compromised website. In some cases, the malware can infect a user’s device without their knowledge or consent.
• Social engineering: Attackers may use social engineering tactics to trick users into installing doxware. For instance, they may pose as a tech support agent or a friend, and ask the user to download and install software that is actually doxware.

Once doxware infects a user’s device, it can scan the device for sensitive information, such as personal data, login credentials, financial information, and files. The attackers can then threaten to publish the information unless the user pays the ransom.

After You Are Infected And Being Extorted

What is the best way to deal with a doxware infection and the demand for money that always follows it?

If you are a victim of doxware, it is essential to take action quickly and carefully to minimize the damage and protect your sensitive information.

Here are steps you can take:

1. Disconnect the infected device from the internet and any other networks immediately. This will prevent the doxware from communicating with the attacker’s server and minimize the risk of further data theft.
2. Do not pay the ransom. Paying the ransom does not guarantee that the attacker will delete or not release your data. Additionally, it encourages attackers to continue targeting victims. Plus, it is no illegal in some jurisdictions to pay cyber-ransoms.
3. Contact law enforcement and report the incident. This will help to identify the attacker and potentially prevent them from targeting other victims. In this case, you would contact the FBI or your national cybercrime police unit for help.
4. Seek help from a professional cybersecurity expert or IT team. They can help you assess the extent of the infection, remove the doxware, and attempt the recover any lost data.
5. Monitor your credit reports, and bank and financial statements. Check for any suspicious activity and report any unauthorized transactions immediately.
6. Change your passwords immediately and enable two-factor authentication on all your accounts to prevent further attacks.

In summary, the best way to deal with a doxware infection is to disconnect the device from the internet, avoid paying the ransom, report the incident to law enforcement, seek professional help, monitor your credit reports and bank statements, and take steps to prevent future attacks.

Best Ways To Avoid It

Here are some best practices to avoid becoming infected with doxware:

1. Keep your software and operating system up to date: Make sure you regularly update your software and operating system to the latest version. These updates often contain security patches that can help protect your device from doxware and other malware.
2. Be cautious of email phishing scams: Be wary of suspicious emails, especially those that contain links or attachments. Verify the sender’s identity and avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.
3. Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication: Use unique and complex passwords for your accounts and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible. This can help prevent unauthorized access to your accounts and minimize the risk of a doxware attack.
4. Use reputable antivirus and anti-malware software: Install reliable antivirus and anti-malware software on your devices and keep them up to date. These programs can help detect and remove doxware and other malware. SCARS uses Malwarebytes
5. Use caution when downloading software: Only download software from reputable sources and avoid downloading software from unknown or suspicious websites.
6. Backup your data regularly: Regularly backup your important data to an external drive or cloud storage. This can help you recover your data in case of a doxware or ransomware or malware attack or any other type of data loss.

By following these best practices, you can significantly reduce the risk of an infection and protect your sensitive information.

Therefore, it is important to be cautious when downloading software or clicking on links, regularly update software and operating systems and use reliable antivirus and anti-malware software to prevent malware infections.