Jigsaw is a type of ransomware that earned its name due to its association with the fictional character from the horror movie franchise "Saw." It is notorious for its ruthless tactics, which involve encrypting victims' files and demanding ransom payments for their decryption.
Jigsaw typically infects systems through phishing emails, malicious attachments, or exploit kits. Once executed on a victim's computer, it encrypts files using strong encryption algorithms, rendering them inaccessible. In addition to file encryption, Jigsaw exhibits a unique behavior of deleting files incrementally until the ransom is paid.
As part of its intimidation tactics, Jigsaw displays a countdown timer, threatening to delete more files if the ransom is not paid within a specified timeframe. It may also display frightening messages and images, creating a sense of urgency and fear to coerce victims into paying the ransom.
Jigsaw targets individuals and organizations indiscriminately, with a primary focus on Windows-based systems. Its victims range from individual users to small businesses, large corporations, and even government agencies.
Any system that falls victim to Jigsaw can suffer severe consequences, including data loss, financial damage, and operational disruptions. Jigsaw's indiscriminate targeting and destructive capabilities make it a significant threat to the cybersecurity landscape.
The specific individuals or groups behind Jigsaw remain unknown, as they typically operate under pseudonyms or aliases to conceal their identities. Jigsaw may have originated from underground cybercriminal communities or individual hackers seeking financial gain.
Ransomware, including Jigsaw, is often distributed through underground forums, dark web marketplaces, or ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) platforms, where cybercriminals can purchase or rent the malware to carry out their attacks. The creators of Jigsaw likely have motives rooted in financial gain, exploiting victims' desperation to recover their encrypted files.
The information provided on this website is intended for educational purposes only. It should not be used to create, distribute, or execute any malicious software. We strongly condemn the use of malware for illegal or unethical activities.
Malware samples can cause harm to your computer system and compromise your security. Handle these samples with extreme care and only in isolated environments. Do not execute these samples on any system connected to the internet or any network containing sensitive information.
The maintainer and contributors of this repository, both past, present, and future, are not responsible for any loss of data, system damage, or other consequences resulting from the mishandling of the samples provided herein. Caution is advised when testing any file present in this repository.