Medusa ransomware is one of the more recent and aggressive ransomware strains that’s made headlines in cybersecurity circles. Here’s a rundown of what it is and how it operates, in a pretty straightforward way: --- ### 🐍 What is Medusa Ransomware? **Medusa** is a type of **ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS)**, which means its creators let affiliates use the malware to launch attacks in exchange for a cut of the ransom. It's named after the mythical creature Medusa, probably because once it locks onto you, you're kind of frozen unless you pay up. It first started showing up around **late 2022 to early 2023**, and it's been steadily climbing the “most annoying malware” charts since then. --- ### 🛠️ How it Works 1. **Infection Vector**: - Usually enters systems through **phishing emails**, **malicious downloads**, or **exploiting vulnerabilities** in remote desktop services. - Once in, it spreads across the network like wildfire. 2. **Payload**: - It **encrypts files**, adds a unique extension (something like `.medusa`), and drops a ransom note. - Files like documents, databases, and even backups are prime targets. 3. **Ransom Note**: - Victims get a file (often named `!!!READ_ME_MEDUSA!!!.txt`) that tells them how to pay in cryptocurrency to get their files back. - There’s usually a **threat of leaking data** if the ransom isn’t paid – this is called **double extortion**. --- ### 💻 Notable Features - **Data exfiltration**: Medusa doesn’t just encrypt files—it often steals them too. - **Service termination**: It shuts down specific Windows services and processes (like backups, antivirus, or databases) to make sure it can encrypt more files without interference. - **Tor-based payment portals**: Like many modern ransomware strains, it uses the Tor network for anonymity in its payment portals. --- ### 💀 Who’s at Risk? - It's not super targeted—it’s been used against **schools, healthcare, tech companies**, and **government offices**. - It tends to hit orgs with weaker cybersecurity infrastructure or those using outdated software. --- ### 🛡️ How to Protect Against It - **Back up your data** regularly and keep backups _offline_. - Keep all software and OS patches up to date. - Use **multi-factor authentication** and restrict remote access like RDP. - Deploy good **endpoint detection and response (EDR)** tools. - Train staff to recognize phishing attempts. --- ### 🎯 Big Picture Medusa fits into the larger trend of ransomware becoming more industrialized. It’s part of a professionalized ecosystem—slick, organized, and financially motivated. It’s not some script kiddie’s weekend project; it’s a business model. ---