New ransomware locks PCs until PewDiePie gets 100 million subscribers
PewDiePie fans are taking his 'battle of subscribers' against T-Series way too seriously. They have developed a couple of ransomware strains to help him beat the Indian label and become the first YouTuber in the world to touch the 100 million subscriber mark. While weird tactics have been opted to support PewDiePie before too, this method shows the situation is getting out of hand.
One ransomware strain is locking data on computers
According to an investigation by ZDNet, one ransomware, called PewCrypt, has been affecting some users since January. It is a full-fledged JAVA-based program that locks all the data on a computer, just like a typical ransomware program. However, unlike other malware, this one doesn't demand money but keeps the file locked or as hostage until PewDiePie reaches 100 million subscribers.
If T-Series reaches 100 million first, it would delete data
More worryingly, if the rival channel becomes the first one to touch the 100 million mark, the malware would delete the data. This way, it leaves no real option for the users but to ask his/her friends, family to 'subscribe to PewDiePie'.
Another ransomware delete files permanently
Meanwhile, the other ransomware strain, spreading since December last year, can be described as a poorly constructed program. Called "PewDiePie ransomware," it is a modified ShellLocker tool that locks files but doesn't upload the encryption keys anywhere. This means that once the files are locked, nobody, not even the ransomware's creator, would be able to recover them.
Decrypters released for PewCrypt
In order to avoid trouble, the creator of 'PewCrypt' has released a tool to help infected parties unlock their PCs. Even security researchers at Emsisoft have released a program to get rid of this malware. As for the other ransomware, there's still no way out.
Clearly, PewDiePie v/s T-Series battle has taken over netizens
These tactics show just how far people, particularly white supremacists, are willing to go to help PewDiePie win against India's T-Series. In the past, the YouTuber's fans had taken over printers, hijacked thousands of Chromecasts to spread the "subscribe to PewDiePie" message. Strangely enough, even the New Zealand mosque attacker rooted for PewDiePie.
Currently, both are going neck to neck
Yesterday, T-Series had taken a considerable lead over PewDiePie, but over the last 24 hours, the Swedish channel has caught up pretty well. At the time of writing, both players were going neck to neck with 90.75 million subscribers.
