Threat Management

Discord Nitro gift codes now demanded as ransomware payments

A new ransomware called NitroRansomware demands that victims pay a $9.99 Discord Nitro gift code to decrypt their files, reports BleepingComputer. The ransomware disguises as a fake tool that generates Nitro gift codes for free, which will then encrypt the victim’s files once executed. NitroRansomware changes the user’s wallpaper into an angry or evil Discord logo after the execution is completed. After the wallpaper is changed, a ransomware screen appears, which demands a free Nitro gift code within a three-hour period; otherwise, the victim’s encrypted files will be deleted. However, there is no evidence showing that any user files has been deleted if the victim fails to pay on time.

Aside from demanding gift codes and encrypting victims’ files, the ransomware also steals the person’s Discord tokens, which when stolen, could be used by the hacker to log in as that user. The malware will also try to steal information Google Chrome, Yandex Browser and Brave Browser.
Jill Aitoro

Jill Aitoro is senior vice president of content strategy for CyberRisk Alliance. She has more than 20 years of experience editing and reporting on technology, business and policy. Prior to joining CRA, she worked at Sightline Media as editor of Defense News and executive editor of the Business-to-Government Group. She previously worked at Washington Business Journal and Nextgov, covering federal technology, contracting and policy, as well as CMP Media’s VARBusiness and CRN and Penton Media’s iSeries News.

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