Medusa Malware: Understanding the Latest Cybersecurity Menace?

Medusa malware is a deadly ransomware program that cybercriminals use to attack high-profile targets, including MNCs, corporate offices, healthcare facilities, legal and financial institutions across the globe. Medusa malware is operated by a gang on the dark web and the public internet under pseudonymous figures and names. The Medusa malware gang offers ransomware as a service (RaaS) to launch cyberattacks on high-profile targets, rival states, and organizations.

Written by Waqar Khan
Published on June 13, 2025

The Medusa Malware gang came up in late 2022, and it became one of the most dangerous ransomware groups in 2023. Even in 2025, it is actively running its malicious cyber operations across the globe to target big organizations and financial institutions to steal valuable information, financial extortion, and disrupt the operations inside the establishments. It uses double extortion methods in the cyber attacks, in which it encrypts files and threatens data leaks if the victim denies paying ransom money within the prescribed time.

What is Ransomware?

Ransomware is a malicious program that is designed to encrypt the data and access inside a computer and the network of connected devices within an organization. It encrypts all the files, drives, or entire systems using strong encryption algorithms. The encrypted data becomes unreadable for the device system, due to which the users fail to read or access anything on their system. Attackers display a ransom note with a ticking watch that demands a ransom via cryptocurrency to release and decrypt the system and data.

Ransomware uses phishing emails, attachments, malicious links, and drive-by downloads, and system vulnerabilities to infiltrate a device and compromise its security. Cybercriminals manipulate users to follow the install of the ransomware on their devices by using different methods.

In this situation, when the victim tries to open and try to access his device and data, a note appears on the screen that suggests that this device has been hijacked or encrypted. Along with this, the note demands a ransom within a deadline to get back access to your device. Proper instructions are given in the note regarding the payment.

Why is Medusa Malware More Dangerous?

Medusa malware is far more dangerous than other malicious programs that are active in the cyber world. What makes it so dangerous is the fact that it operates on the dark web and has its own infrastructure, network, and professional team to launch and handle the operations. The gang operates under fake names and provides paid ransomware-as-a-service across the globe. The Medusa gang also uses the public internet for exposure, which includes a Public Telegram channel, a Facebook profile, and an X account to expand their reach. It makes them appear more bold and dangerous. People fear them and avoid them at every cost.

In addition to this, it also uses a website to share updates, post stolen data, or victim names to expose sensitive details to the public. The public presence of Medusa malware is used to intimidate victims, raise awareness of their threats, and increase pressure on victims of these cyberattacks.

How does Medusa Malware Work?

Medusa malware uses advanced techniques for distributing and infiltrating a device and network. Here is a complete breakdown of how Medusa malware works:

Initial Access

Medusa uses Initial Access Brokers (IABs) to break into a system or network. IABs are cybercriminals who are experts in breaking the initial security barriers and infiltrating systems. They use different techniques such as phishing, credential stuffing, and brute-force attacks to steal login credentials and find system vulnerabilities. Medusa malware buys this access from IABs to launch powerful ransomware attacks. Along with this, they have run phishing campaigns to manipulate their targets and install the virus in the system. They steal login credentials, try different methodologies to break in, and hijack the device.

Post-Access Activities

Once the attackers are successful in entering the device and network, they move step-by-step inside the device to reach the privileged access levels and different systems connected to a single network. The higher the access, the more control they gain, which they use to do a variety of activities such as turning off security tools, modifying system settings, stealing more data, and encrypting more files. Medusa has built-in tools that collect logging information, usernames, passwords, and weak points. It behaves like a real user inside the system and easily bypasses the security barriers.

Tools and Execution

Once it is successful in infiltrating and finding the weak spots and dumping the credentials, it disables the defense and deploys the ransomware binary gaze.exe to encrypt the whole system. The encrypted files get the “.MEDUSA” extension. After this, it uses PowerShell scripts and tools to steal data via TOR channels. So, it carries out a double extortion method in which it scripts as well as extorts valuable data. The victim gets a note on his screen in which a ransom demand amount, payment method instructions, and a warning are mentioned. The note threatens a data leak if the victim fails to pay the amount within the prescribed time.

How to Mitigate and Prevent Medusa Malware Threats?

To mitigate and prevent Medusa malware, you have to use a proactive security approach and cybersecurity tools. You need to block its way, limit what it can do, and stay ready with robust incident response plans. Here are some effective and practical tips that can boost your system security and prevent Medusa ransomware attacks:

Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Multi-factor authentication doubles down on your security and prevents unauthorized access to the critical accounts if your primary credentials are lost or stolen. Attackers won’t be able to access your main account if they have your primary credentials. Hence, always use MFA on all user accounts, especially those that are linked to businesses and financial activities.

Limit Privileges (PoLP)

It is one of the best security practices that prevents malware and unauthorized access from entering your device. Under this practice, you provide controlled access to only a few users. It cuts the chance of malicious actors accessing the sensitive areas and networks in your organization. It will reduce the vulnerabilities and prevent malicious actors from infiltrating your system.

Keep Your Software Up-to-Date

It is highly important that you keep your system and software updated as soon as new updates are uploaded from the vendors. New updates and patches fix the vulnerabilities that come into being with the passage. It enhances the security of your apps, operating systems, and network tools. In addition to this, new updates come with new upgrades and functionalities that provide a better user experience. Malware like Medusa becomes ineffective in finding and exploiting the vulnerabilities in the system and the network.

Backup Data Regularly

Whether you run a business or offer professional services, it is highly important that while you are using online devices, you must regularly back up your important data in multiple locations, including offline and online repositories. You can always go back to the data backups if you ever come under any cyber attack or any other condition that causes data loss. Data backups help you recover the most effectively when you experience ransomware attacks.

Train Employees to Spot Phishing

Prepare a robust incident response plan to deal with the difficult situation of data loss, cyber attacks, and unseen threats. For that, you have to build awareness of how Medusa malware works and infiltrates your system. You must train your employees to identify cyber dangers and phishing attacks and prepare them to deal with such difficult situations. Teach them to spot and report the incidents to the concerned authorities, and implement incident response plans to control the situations.

Monitor for Suspicious Activity

You must use advanced tools like Firewalls, VPNs, and antivirus software to detect and prevent malware attacks before they enter your system and networks. Along with this, you can:

Set up alerts for strange behavior.
Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools.
Catch threats early before they spread.

Secure Credentials

It is highly important that you use robust and unique passwords to protect your important access points and online gateways. If you buy a new device, then make sure to change the default usernames and passwords. Create long and unique passwords to protect each access point. Make sure it has a combination of numbers, letters, and special characters. Avoid using easily guessable passwords that include your name, house address, office address, and number series. Most importantly, store passwords securely and never share any of them with anyone without any necessity.

Check and Reduce Attack Surface

If you have any unused and suspicious software, ports, or apps in your system, then remove them. Disable services and third-party platforms you no longer use. Do not open suspicious emails, click unknown links, or download from malicious websites. Use only official websites and authorized platforms, gateways for payments, shopping, downloads, and communications. Avoid public wifi networks to do important online activities and access crucial apps and platforms such as banking, email, and social media. Limit public-facing assets as much as possible to stay safe and prevent malware attacks.

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Medusa Malware: Understanding the Latest Cybersecurity Menace?

What is Ransomware?

Why is Medusa Malware More Dangerous?