Quote:The NitroRansomware malware strain is shaking up the ransomware norm by demanding Discord Nitro gift codes from victims instead of actual money.
 
Discord is a VoIP, instant messaging and digital-distribution platform designed for creating communities. Users communicate with voice calls, video calls, text messaging, media and files in private chats or as part of communities called “servers.”
 
While it’s free, users can purchase an upgraded “Nitro” subscription for $9.99 that allows larger upload sizes, HD video streaming, better emoji options and the ability to “stand out” via promotions on servers.
The NitroRansomware operators are apparently extremely interested in Nitro subscriptions. Initially spotted by MalwareHunterTeam, other researchers looked into how the code works. It’s being distributed as a purported free gift-code generator for Nitro.
 
“Upon executing the ransomware, it will encrypt the victim’s file and will give three hours to them to provide a valid Discord Nitro [code],” explained Heimdal Security researcher Cezarina Chirica, in a Monday posting. “The malware appends the ‘.givemenitro’ extension to the filenames of the encrypted files. At the end of an encryption process, NitroRansomware will change the user’s wallpaper to an evil or angry Discord logo.”