Bert Blitzes Linux & Windows Systems

Trend Micro reports on a fast, multiplatform ransomware called "Bert" (aka "Water Pombero") that leverages aggressive multithreading—up to 50 threads on Linux—to rapidly encrypt files, uses PowerShell loaders and privilege escalation on Windows, disables security controls, and can forcibly shut down VMware ESXi VMs to maximize disruption; victims have been observed across healthcare, event services, and technology sectors in multiple regions.