'Fatboy' ransomware uses a location-based charging model

A new ransomware-as-a-service product named 'Fatboy' has been advertised on Russian language forums. What makes it different is the way it uses a sliding scale to charge its victims. Threat intelligence company Recorded Future has revealed that Fatboy uses the Economist's Big Mac Index -- designed to explain exchange rates -- to ensure victims in areas with a higher cost of living will be charged more to decrypt their data. The business model is also interesting in that purchasers deal directly with the author of the malware and not through a third party as many other cyber criminals prefer. These partners… [Continue Reading]