What is the SCARAB virus

The Scarab virus is a ransomware that uses the AES cipher to encrypt valuable system and user files. Its encryption engine marks the affected files with the .scarab extension and extorts the victims to pay a fee.

The Scarab virus is distributed in a single binary executable file that can be spread using different methods depending on the targets and the required scale.

One of the primary infection strategies employed by most ransomware like this one is the coordination of spam email messages. They use social engineering strategies that make the users infect themselves. The emails are made to appear as legitimate companies or government institutions and usually carry the virus as either attached or linked in the body contents.

Office documents and modified software installers can also carry the Scarab virus code. They are spread on hacked or hacker-controlled download sites and popular P2P networks like BitTorrent. The hackers can also create web redirects and ad networks that redirect to them.

Browser hijackers and other malicious add-ons can deliver the Scarab virus as part of their infection behavior.