Cybercriminals are getting greedier every day, and if you want to see evidence of that, look no further than the ridiculously high ransom demand by Checkmate Ransomware. The hackers behind this ransomware strain want to be paid a whopping $15,000 in order to decrypt your files.
If you periodically install applications from misleading and/or potentially unreliable third-party sources like torrent sites, you may unknowingly install malware like Checkmate Ransomware on your computer.
Checkmate Ransomware encrypts multiple file types, including photos, music, documents, and videos, with military-grade cryptographic algorithms. After file encryption, Checkmate Ransomware will leave a ransom note in the form of a text file named ‘CHECKMATE_DECRYPTION_README.txt.’
The note provides detailed instructions for the victims that include downloading and installing the Telegram Messenger App, finding the hackers at their account that you see on the screen hxxps://t.me/checkmate_team, and then sending a message with your unique ID and 3 files for test decryption.
As previously mentioned, the hackers behind Checkmate Ransomware will hold your files hostage until you pay $15,000. In regard to paying the ransom, the only accepted payment method is a funds transfer to the provided crypto-wallet address and the only accepted currency is Bitcoin.
How Do I Deal with the Checkmate Ransomware Attack?
Although dealing with the hackers and succumbing to their demands may seem like the easiest way out of the situation, we never suggest that you interact with cybercriminals. Instead, in order to protect yourself from the Checkmate Ransomware attack, you should have a reputable malware remediation tool installed on your computer. That way, you can constantly scan for elements associated with this troublesome ransomware infection, as well as other malware. To mitigate the potential damage to your files, do not forget to back them up on an external hard drive or virtual cloud storage.
