The JungleSec virus is a new ransomware that has been discovered in a worldwide attack. The discovered infections have been found on Linux systems and using a strong cipher victim data is affected. The files are renamed with the .jungle@anonymousspechcom extension.
Threat Summary
| Name | JungleSec |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | The ransomware encrypts sensitive information on your computer system with the .jungle@anonymousspechcom extensions and demands a ransom to be paid to allegedly recover them. |
| Symptoms | The ransomware will encrypt your files with a strong encryption algorithm. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss JungleSec. |
| Data Recovery Tool | Windows Data Recovery by Stellar Phoenix Notice! This product scans your drive sectors to recover lost files and it may not recover 100% of the encrypted files, but only few of them, depending on the situation and whether or not you have reformatted your drive. |
JungleSec Virus March 2020 Update
The JungleSec virus has received a new March 2020 update which is a new sample. This new version can be identified by a new email and extension combination which is junglesec@secmail.pro and may be launched by a different hacking group. This particular threat in some of the instances has been found to threaten to leak the data of the victims who have not paid the ransom fee.
JungleSec Virus – Distribution Ways
The JungleSec Virus is a recently released ransomware threat that has been discovered in a small-size attack campaign. Due to the small number of captured samples the security analysts were not able to pinpoint the main delivery method.
A main delivery method is the use of email messages. The associated JungleSec virus files are either directly attached or hyperlinked in the body contents.
Using counterfeit download sites the criminals behind the JungleSec virus can use them to spread the files or any infected payloads. They can be application installers that are taken from their official vendor sites and modified to include the virus code. Another form of payload delivery incorporates document files. Using a similar technique the criminal controllers can infect text files, spreadsheets, presentations and databases. Once they are opened by the victims a fortification prompt appears which asks them to enable the built-in scripts (macros). When this is done the infection begins.
Another method that is used to spread the threats is the virus inclusion in data shared over file sharing networks such as BitTorrent. The JungleSec virus infection can also be instituted via browser hijackers. They represent malicious browser plugins that are widely distributed on the repositories of the most famous web browsers. Usually the criminal developers use elaborate descriptions and fake user reviews and credentials. Once they are installed the built-in behavior patterns are started which leads to the virus infection.
JungleSec Virus – In-Depth Analysis
The JungleSec virus has been found to affect Linux systems leading the security researchers to believe that it is not based on any of the well-known ransomware families. The small number of collected samples have undergone a basic code analysis which confirms that the threat is entirely made by its creators.
At the moment detailed information is not available yet about the actual behavior pattern. It is possible that it incorporates the same common components in a different way.We anticipate that the JungleSec virus strains may be customized for each individual hacker campaign.
In these cases the hackers can utilize the same well-known modules. One of them is the data gathering which can be programmed to harvest sensitive data about the victims. The built-in algorithms can retrieve the user’s name, address, telephone number, interests, location, passwords and etc. As such the harvested information can be used for financial crimes and identity abuse.
Apparently some kind of stealth protection mechanism is also enforced. It is able to protect itself from the system and any security software that can attempt to remove the active infections. The list includes all kinds of anti-virus products, sandbox environments and virtual machine hosts.
Following the infections it is possible that the JungleSec virus is capable of modifying the infected host by changing the system configuration files. Examples of modifications include the following:
- System Services Sequence Changes
- User Configuration Changes
- Package Installation/Uninstallation
- Changes to the Graphical and Text Interfaces
Releases of the JungleSec virus that target the Windows operating system can act against the Windows Registry. Changes to entries belonging to the operating system can lead to severe performance issues. Changes to registry entries belonging to individual applications or services can render certain functions inaccessible.
We anticipate that if the attack campaigns are succesful the virus engine can be modified to include even more dangerous components. An example would be a Trojan module which can create a secure connection to hacker-controlled servers. They can be used deliver additional threats, overtake control of the victim machines or spy on the victims in real time.
JungleSec Virus -Encryption
The ransomware engine is started once all previous components have finished execution. It uses a strong cipher in order to affect sensitive user data based on a built-in list of target data. An example list can target the following files:
- Archives
- Backups
- Databases
- Documents
- Images
- Videos
All victim files are renamed with the .jungle@anonymousspechcom extension and the associated ransomware note is written in a file called ENCRYPTED.md that reads the following message:
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
mmm m m mm m mmm m mmmmmm mmmm mmmmmm mmm
# # # #”m # m” ” # # #” ” # m” ”
# # # # #m # # mm # #mmmmm “#mmm #mmmmm #
# # # # # # # # # # “# # #
“mmm” “mmmm” # ## “mmm” #mmmmm #mmmmm “mmm#” #mmmmm “mmm”───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
What happen to my data ?
———————–Your data are encrypted. If you try to bruteforce, change the path, the name or do anything that can alterate a single byte of a file(s) will result
to a fail of the recovery process, meaning your file(s) will be loss for good.How can I retrieve them ?
————————-– To known the process, you must first send 0.3 bitcoin to the following address : 1Jj129L3SYjMs9X2F9xMSYZicCPbKrAZmC
– Once the payment made, send your email address to junglesec@anonymousspeech.com, do not forget to mention the IP of server/computer
Will you send the process recovery once payment is made ?
——————————————————–– We have no interest to not send you the recovery process if payment was made.
– Once the payment is made, you should receive the recovery process to decrypt your data in less 24 hours
By Jungle_Sec
Remove JungleSec Virus and Restore .jungle@anonymousspechcom Files
If your computer system got infected with the Donut ransomware virus, you should have a bit of experience in removing malware. You should get rid of this ransomware as quickly as possible before it can have the chance to spread further and infect other computers. You should remove the ransomware and follow the step-by-step instructions guide provided below.
Martin Beltov
Martin graduated with a degree in Publishing from Sofia University. As a cyber security enthusiast he enjoys writing about the latest threats and mechanisms of intrusion.
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Attention! SensorsTechForum strongly recommends that all malware victims should look for assistance only by reputable sources. Many guides out there claim to offer free recovery and decryption for files encrypted by ransomware viruses. Be advised that some of them may only be after your money.
As a site that has been dedicated to providing free removal instructions for ransomware and malware since 2014, SensorsTechForum’s recommendation is to only pay attention to trustworthy sources.
How to recognize trustworthy sources:
- Always check "About Us" web page.
- Profile of the content creator.
- Make sure that real people are behind the site and not fake names and profiles.
- Verify Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter personal profiles.
About the JungleSec Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this JungleSec how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific malware and restore your encrypted files.
How did we conduct the research on this ransomware?
Our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, and as such, we receive daily updates on the latest malware and ransomware definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the JungleSec ransomware threat is backed with VirusTotal and the NoMoreRansom project.
To better understand the ransomware threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
References
1. How to Recognize Spam Emails with Ransomware
2. How Does Ransomware Encryption Work?
3. How to Decrypt Ransomware Files
4. Ransomware Getting Greedier and Bigger, Attacks Increase by 40%
5. 1 in 5 Americans Victim of Ransomware
How to Remove JungleSec from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove JungleSec
1. Hold Windows Key + R.
2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.
3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".
4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.
5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.
Step 2: Uninstall JungleSec and related software from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.
2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.
3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by JungleSec on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by JungleSec there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.
2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.
3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Step 4: Scan for JungleSec with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.
2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.
3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.
4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.
Video Guide for Automatic and Fast Removal
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by JungleSec.
Ransomware infections and JungleSec aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
1. Download the recommended Data Recovery software by clicking on the link underneath:
Simply click on the link and on the website menus on the top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Step 6: How to Restore Files Encrypted by Ransomware (Video Guide)
Get rid of JungleSec from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall JungleSec and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:
3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to JungleSec:
4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.
5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to JungleSec. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash
”.
6. Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference.
Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to JungleSec. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
7. Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove JungleSec via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:
2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:
3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as JungleSec. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 3 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by JungleSec.
Ransomware infections and JungleSec aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
1. Download the recommended Data Recovery software by clicking on the link underneath:
Simply click on the link and on the website menus on top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
JungleSec FAQ
What is JungleSec ransomware and how does it work?
JungleSec is a ransomware infection - the malicious software that enters your computer silently and blocks either access to the computer itself or encrypt your files.
Many ransomware viruses use sophisticated encryption algorithm how to make your files inaccessible. The goal of ransomware infections is to demand that you pay a ransom payment to get access to your files back.
How does JungleSec ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.JungleSec Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing e-mails, containing virus attachment.
This attachment is usually masked as an important document, like an invoice, bank document or even a plane ticket and it looks very convincing to users.
After you download and execute this attachment, a drive-by download occurs and your computer is infected with the ransomware virus.
Another way, you may become a victim of JungleSec is if you download a fake installer, crack or patch from a low reputation website or if you click on a virus link. Many users report getting a ransomware infection by downloading torrents.
How to open .JungleSec files?
You can't. At this point the .JungleSec files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted.
Decryptor did not decrypt my data. What now?
Do not panic and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your .JungleSec files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by JungleSec ransomware is to use a decryptor for it. But since it's a new virus, advised that the decryption keys for it may not be out yet and available to the public. We will update this article and keep you posted as soon as this decryptor is released.
How Do I restore ".JungleSec" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .JungleSec files.
These methods are in no way 100% guarantee that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How do I get rid of JungleSec ransomware virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti malware software. It will scan for and locate JungleSec ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .JungleSec files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like JungleSec ransomware also install Trojans and keyloggers that can steal your passwords and accounts. Scanning your computer with an anti-malware software will make sure that all of these virus components are removed and your computer is protected in the future.
What to Do If nothing works?
There is still a lot you can do. If none of the above methods seem to work for you, then try these methods:
- Try to find a safe computer from where you can can login on your own line accounts like One Drive, iDrive, Google Drive and so on.
- Try to contact your friends, relatives and other people so that they can check if they have some of your important photos or documents just in case you sent them.
- Also, check if some of the files that were encrypted it can be re-downloaded from the web.
- Another clever way to get back some of your files is to find another old computer, a flash drive or even a CD or a DVD where you may have saved your older documents. You might be surprised what will turn up.
- You can also go to your email account to check if you can send any attachments to other people. Usually what is sent the email is saved on your account and you can re-download it. But most importantly, make sure that this is done from a safe computer and make sure to remove the virus first.
More tips you can find on our forums, where you can also asks any questions about your ransomware problem.
How to Report Ransomware to Authorities?
In case your computer got infected with a ransomware infection, you can report it to the local Police departments. It can help authorities worldwide track and determine the perpetrators behind the virus that has infected your computer. Below, we have prepared a list with government websites, where you can file a report in case you are a victim of a cybercrime:
Cyber-security authorities, responsible for handling ransomware attack reports in different regions all over the world:
- Germany - Offizielles Portal der deutschen Polizei
- United States - IC3 Internet Crime Complaint Centre
- United Kingdom - Action Fraud Police
- France - Ministère de l'Intérieur
- Italy - Polizia Di Stato
- Spain - Policía Nacional
- Netherlands - Politie
- Poland - Policja
- Portugal - Polícia Judiciária
- Greece - Cyber Crime Unit (Hellenic Police)
- India - Mumbai Police - CyberCrime Investigation Cell
- Australia - Australian High Tech Crime Center
Reports may be responded to in different timeframes, depending on your local authorities.