Spora Is The Highly-Sophisticated Future Of Ransomware

Published on: July 23rd, 2017

Lee Mathews , CONTRIBUTOR

Security researchers have spotted the next evolution of ransomware. It’s called Spora, and it’s been designed to be as easy-to-use as the online stores you frequent. Maybe even easier.

At its core, Spora is no different than the innumerable different strains of ransomware that have plagued consumers and institutions for years. Once a system has been infected it looks for certain types of files, encrypts them, and then demands payment for their safe return.

There are several things that set Spora apart, however. For starters, it can still function if your computer is offline. Even if you quickly realize that you’ve fallen victim to a phishing attack and disconnect from the Internet, your files can still be encrypted.

Spora is also intelligent enough to leave files in certain important folders untouched. Why? Because its creators know that if a computer is unable to boot normally that their chances of extracting payment from a victim decrease dramatically.

The security researchers at Emsisoft also haven’t found any holes in Spora’s encryption routines. Spora has been coded with a great deal of care — not shoddily assembled in a rushed attempt to extort a few extra dollars.

Then there’s the payment system. This is where Spora clearly distinguishes itself from the rest of the pack. Here’s what it looks like: