Mr Robot Inspired Ransomware

Hackers have developed a ransomware inspired by hit TV show Mr Robot and named it after the fictional hactivist group ‘fsociety’. The ransomware is yet to have infected anyone and is believed to be still under development. IT security experts from Tripwire and AlienVault commented below.

Craig Young, Security Researcher at Tripwire:

“With the most accurate Hollywood portrayal of hacking to date combined with ties to real-world hacking conferences, Mr. Robot has garnered the attention of a sizeable hacker audience.  The notion that someone out there would decide to create themed crypto-ransomware is not at all surprising given the use of cryptography as a plot instrument on the show.

The hacks of Mr. Robot are carefully chosen based on events and research in the real world ranging from RFID access card cloning to the Ashley Madison breach.  The show has also to some extent captured the reality that not every hacking attempt will lead to immediate success.  This is in stark contrast to the typical Hollywood hacking in which the hacker only needs to clickity-klack on the keyboard a few seconds before getting a big “Access Granted” message.”

Javvad Malik, Security Advocate at AlienVault:

“This may be something that could turn out to be a real malicious attempt – or it could be a case of fans paying homage. Or maybe it’s just a case of life imitating art. Other than that, it’s not really much different from all the other ransomware that gets created.”