What is Jigsaw ransomware? This malware is created in 2016 and has another name – BitcoinBlackmailer. About this ransomware, you can read this article on MiniTool Website to know more details. We will also give you some tips to protect yourself against Jigsaw ransomware.
What Is Jigsaw Ransomware?
What is Jigsaw ransomware? Jigsaw is designed to encrypt computer files and delete them gradually, requiring payments from the victims to stop the deletion and decrypt the files.
Jigsaw ransomware, born in 2016, created global mayhem in a series of attack cycles. This malware hides in spam emails with malicious attachments and infiltrates people’s computer once the email gets opened.
It is also attached to the malware program downloaded from unknown sources. Anyhow, this Jigsaw ransomware virus can find its way getting into your computer and force you to become the victim of its ransom.
All your files will be encrypted and once you refuse the ransom or ignore the ransom information within an hour, one file will be deleted. The longer time you refuse the ransom, the more files will be deleted until you pay for the encrypted files.
If the payment isn’t made 72 hours after the initial message shows, the ransomware will wipe the whole computer. Some people may try to get rid of the ransomware by rebooting the computer but that is definitely a bad idea because the attackers will delete more files as a punishment.
Almost all file types, over 220 different marks, can be included in the scope of attacking targets but executable files are exceptions. Once you, unfortunately, become its victim, you will see a pop-up window listing all the files that have been locked.
Along with this, a countdown timer is placed under the threatening note and you need to pay for the ransom within the prescribed time.
Then, there is another well-known name for Jigsaw ransomware that is BitcoinBlackmailer. To avoid law enforcement, many cyber attackers will ask for the ransom to be paid in Bitcoin that can provide an extra layer of anonymity.
How to Protect Yourself from Jigsaw Ransomware?
After knowing how the Jigsaw ransomware works, in this part, we will teach you how to protect yourself from this attack.
Even though its aggressive attack makes trouble to many businesses and individuals, it also has a significant flaw.
Jigsaw ransomware virus is written in .NET. This feature can help decrypt the locked files by using Jigsaw's code. Targeting this flaw, many companies have developed their Jigsaw decryption tools for inflicted people and you may give one of these tools a try.
Besides, it is possible that people overstated the damage capability of Jigsaw ransomware. Delete 1,000 files at once? It seems to be hollow. Compared to other advanced ransomware programs, Jigsaw still can be decrypted with easy moves.
Even so, don’t treat it lightly. For amateurs, Jigsaw ransomware exits as a danger. So, how to avoid this attack?
1. Use trustworthy antivirus programs and keep them updated.
2. Keep an eye on the emails you receive, especially links and attachments; don’t trust those from unknown and suspicious sources.
3. Back up your files. It would be better to prepare an external hard drive for your data backup and that can help resist any threats initiated from ransomware.
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Bottom Line:
This article has introduced what Jigsaw ransomware is and helps protect yourself from Jigsaw ransomware. If you need more help with Jigsaw ransomware, you can leave your messages below and we will try our best to answer you.
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Anna is an editor of the MiniTool Team. She worked in this big family since her graduation. Her articles mainly focus on data backup and recovery, disk cloning, and file syncing, committed to resolving the data loss issues users may encounter on their PCs. Besides, more related computer articles are shared here. In her leisure time, she enjoys reading and watching movies. Travel can also be a good choice for her.
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