Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Badly-Coded Ransomware Locks User Files and Throws Away Encryption Key (softpedia.com)

Posted by samzenpus on from the better-luck-next-time dept.

An anonymous reader writes: A new ransomware family was not tested by its developer and is encrypting user files and then throwing away the encryption key because of an error in its programming. The ransomware author wanted to cut down costs by using a static encryption key for all users, but the ransomware kept generating random keys which it did not store anywhere. The only way to recover files is if users had a previous backup. You can detect it by the ransom message which has the same ID:qDgx5Bs8H

2 of 128 comments (clear)

  1. What a role model by Opportunist · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I always thought we should lock up those bastards and throw away the key. Shall we take it as a recommendation how he wants to be treated when we catch him?

    --
    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  2. Re:Usually the case by Sqr(twg) · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Nope, apparently they do give you the decryption key, once you pay. If word of mouth was that it doesn't help to pay, then a lot less people would pay the ransom.

    So this guy is destroying a very lucrative business model for some very evil people. It will probably not end well for him.