A new ransomware is on the loose, wanting to encrypt your data. However, the developer of the malware doesn’t ask for ransom for the release of the files, but only wants you to play PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds for an hour.
The MalwareHunterTeam recently came across a new ransomware that takes custody of the victims’ files and encrypts them on its own. However, the malware was deemed harmless by experts, as the developer seems to be a real joker.
Unlike similar programs of this type, the developer does not ask for a ransom to release the infected data. Affected users are given two options to regain access to their data.
PUBG Ransomware wants you to play the Battle Royale title
Users who have caught the PUBG Ransomware are informed by the malware itself through a corresponding program window. They are also educated about the methods to regain access to their data.
A code is provided that is supposed to allow the data to be decrypted. The second option to release the data is even more bizarre.
Not only are the infected files given the extensions .pubg, but the developer of the malware also wants you to play the Battle Royale title for about an hour to regain access to your data.
The ransomware monitors the background processes and specifically looks for the process named Tslgame.exe. This belongs to PUBG and is executed while playing. Since the ransomware is not very complex, it seems sufficient to rename any program to Tslgame.exe and let it run instead of PUBG.
PUBG Ransomware is harmless, but it can be different
While the PUBG Ransomware is annoying and has been classified as harmless, the malware can behave differently. For example, last year the program WannaCry made headlines, affecting both individuals and institutions, hospitals, universities, or telecommunications providers.
WannaCry acted like a worm and spread over whole networks. Once the PC was infected, access to the computer was usually no longer possible. The developers wanted to extort money with the ransomware and threatened to release the victims’ computers only for a sum of money.
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds will soon receive a new Deathmatch mode
