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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

4 of 128 comments (clear)

  1. Like the old viruses by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    So it's like the old fashion viruses that actually cause damage to your system then.

  2. This would have never happened. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    If the author decided on an open source project, the community could have found and developed a fix during beta testing.

  3. Re:Developers... by meerling · · Score: 5, Informative

    For optimal software testing, you need several types of testers.
    The dev - Someone who knows how to code and what this software is supposed to do, and intimately.
    The hacker - Someone who knows how to code, and doesn't care what the software wants because dammit, he's going to make it dance a frigging jig for giggles.
    The user - Doesn't know coding, but knows the subject the software is based around because he's the one that uses it. He knows exactly what it needs to do and what he wants it to do and will gladly tell you how you are failing in that.
    The ignorant - Can't code, doesn't want to, isn't sure if this computer thing is actually filled with enslaved magic pixies. If there's anyone that will do something no intelligent rational person will ever think of, the ignorant is king. You'd be amazed how many show-stopper bugs have been found by them.

  4. Re:Just asking...... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    What the hell is wrong with people like you? It's not that the guy isn't a first class cunt, but what sort of poorly controlled emotion causes a person to warm to the idea of torture and death? I sometimes wonder whether some humans have a repressed bloodlust and they use righteous indignation as an excuse to bring it out.

    Sure, lock the guy up, seize everything, whatever, following due process. Be more civilised than he is, not less.