Unraveling the Mysteries of the Meow Ransomware
The Meow Ransomware variant was first discovered in July, 2020, marking a significant concern for global businesses. This ransomware variant poses a major risk due to its unique identifier: instead of demanding a ransom, the Meow deletes targeted data without offering any recovery solutions. Two instances have hit the headlines; the first involved a cloud company leak wherein Meow wiped out nearly 1TB of data (Techcrunch) and the second relates to a cyber attack on the Thailand Justice Ministry’s Public Relation department, wiping a gigantic 300,000 files (Bangkokpost).
Information on “Meow” Ransomware Variant
| Ransomware name(s) | Meow Ransomware |
|---|---|
| When the ransomware was first detected/reported | July 2020 |
| If it affects Linux or Windows operating systems or both | Both |
| The name of the ransom note that the ransomware leaves on the infected system | No ransom notes left |
Additional Information
- The Meow ransomware operates differently from standard ransomware variants as it does not request a ransom and indiscriminately deletes files.
- It appends a random series of numbers followed by ‘meow’ to the name of each file it erases.
- The victims of Meow ransomware reportedly include Elasticsearch instances, databases, and other online applications.
- No known hacker group has claimed responsibility for the Meow attacks.
- It primarily targets misconfigured and unsecured databases exposed on the internet.
Conclusion
The emergence of the Meow Ransomware variant underscores the evolving nature of cyber threats, posing significant risks to businesses worldwide. Its unique approach of indiscriminately deleting data without offering any recovery solutions highlights the importance of proactive cybersecurity measures.
As ransomware and cybersecurity experts, we understand the complexities of such attacks and offer specialized Ransomware Recovery Services, Ransomware Negotiation Services, and Ransomware Settlement Services. Whether you need assistance in recovering from a ransomware incident or strengthening your organization’s defenses, we are here to help.
