Phobos Ransomware Recovery, Payment & Decryption Statistics

Phobos ransomware payments are lower than the ransomware marketplace average. This is due to the fact that Phobos strikes smaller companies and individuals that have less capacity to pay relative to larger businesses.

Phobos ransomware incidents can be burdensome due to the complicated nature of the decryption tool provided by hackers. However, the recovery period is usually quicker since most victims have small networks with just a few endpoints. The decryption process is the same as Dharma ransomware.

Immediate Phobos Ransomware Help

Due to the more targeted nature of Phobos ransomware, recovery efforts are usually more time consuming than average.

For immediate assistance contact us

Phobos RANSOMWARE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Phobos is a type of CrySis ransomware, the current variants can not be decrypted by any free tool or software. If you submit a file example to us, we will have a look for free and let you know. There are also good free websites that you can upload a sample file to and independently check. You should NOT pay a data recovery firm or any other service provider to research your file encryption. They will use the same free resources noted above… so don’t waste your money or time!

Most Phobos ransomware is laid directly by a hacker that has accessed an unprotected RDP port, utilized email phishing to remote into a network via an employee’s computer, or utilized malicious attachments, downloads, application patch exploits or vulnerabilities to gain access to a network.

.phobos

are common file extensions. Typically an alphanumeric ID and an email address will prepend the file extension e.g.

file name[ID-000QQQ.hacker@AOL.com].phobos

Phobos ransomware hackers will leave a notice behind that will be prominent and easy to find. It commonly looks like like the image below. It includes contact information for the hacker and instructions on how to purchase cryptocurrency to pay the ransom.

Note: We do not advise that any person or company contact a hacker and negotiate directly. Cyber criminals can be difficult to communicate with. Let a professional assist you.

RANSOMWARE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

You will need to provide information from both the ransom notice and a sample encrypted file. We will schedule a call to discuss the severity of the attack, the operability of your company and the likely timeline / cost of recovering from the attack. You will also need to provide identifying information on your company, and an authorized representative of your company.

You are already being extorted; we don’t think you deserve to pay another large fee. Coveware charges flat per incident fees. Whether the case lasts one week or three weeks, our fees are flat. We do not charge spreads of fees tied to the size of the ransom amount. Our fees will never be even close to the amount of the ransom demanded by the cyber criminal, and you should be skeptical of why any other service provider would charge a fee that high.

You should be extremely skeptical of any data recovery firm that claims they can decrypt ransomware. Typically they are just paying the cyber criminal without your knowledge and pocketing the difference between the ransom amount and what they will charge you. Know the facts before you engage. If the ransomware IS decryptable, the tool can be found for free. If not, purchasing a key from the cyber criminal is the only way to unlock your files. While Coveware does not condone paying cyber criminals, we recognize it is often the only choice if backups are not available or have become compromised as well. If that is the case, you deserve an honest, transparent experience.

There is no guarantee that paying the ransom will result in a working decryption tool being delivered. However, Coveware believes that data aggregation can help customers make the most informed data-driven decisions. Since we handle lots of cases of the same ransomware types, we are able to share our experiences and help customers decide how to proceed.

If the ransomware payment is successful, a decryption tool & key is provided by the hacker that can be used to manually decrypt your files.

There are some common security mis-configurations that lead to a ransomware attack. We can share some tips and resources for preventing future attacks, but encourage companies to perform a full forensic review or security assessment as soon as possible. Consistent investment in security IT is the best antidote to preventing future attacks.

WHY CHOOSE COVEWARE RANSOMWARE RECOVERY SERVICES?

FREE
RANSOMWARE ASSESSMENT

Provide a few details from the ransom notice, an example encrypted file and details of the operability of your company and budget/time. We will provide context into the severity of the attack and your options for decryption and recovery using our database of similar cases.

• Identify ransomware type

• Find free decryptor tools

• Identify threat actor group
  

24x7 SUPPORT
- RANSOMWARE INCIDENT RESPONSE

We have deep experience communicating and negotiating with hackers. It’s what we do all day long! Take advantage of our experience and allow us to shoulder this burden.

• Secure & safe negotiations

• Proactive service

• Transparent communications

• Determine risks & outcomes
  

FILE DECRYPTION
& RECOVERY SUPPORT

Coveware has access to a ready supply of any crypto currency, and offers a 15 minute disbursement service level agreement. We also support the decryption/data recovery process.

• Professional IT support

• Insurance documentation

• Post-incident follow up

• Post-incident support