TeslaCrypt Ransomware Maker Shuts Down, Releases Master Key (techcrunch.com)

An anonymous reader writes: The TeslaCrypt ransomware makers have officially closed down shop and apologized for all the damage they have caused in the past. TeslaCrypt upset a lot of gamers as it would locate and encrypt video games on your Windows PC. With the recent decision to shut down, anti-ransomware researchers have been able to create a fool-proof decryption app called TeslaDecoder (Link is a direct download). Now, many of the hard drives rendered useless by the malware are available to use, and almost every file can be accessed using the unlock system. "TeslaCrypt's website was on the Tor network and now consists of a master key and an apology," writes TechCrunch.

Comments

Some faith in humanity restored?

[kheldan]

Wait, what? Criminals with a conscience? Of course, someone will come along in short order and say

..but they didn't turn themselves in, and they didn't return their ill-gotten gains, so they're still scumbags

Sure. But how often do you get any sort of an apology like this? With all the ugly shit going on all over the world, isn't it a little refreshing that someone actually says they're sorry and makes at least some token amends for their actions? Small consolation or not.

Re:Some faith in humanity restored?

[BitZtream]

Yes.

Though, admittedly, its actually the bank that creates money out of thin air.

Learn and understand fractional reserve banking, the crash of 2008, and why it happened, then you'll not make such ignorant statements.

Yes, banks literally create money out of thin air, and its one of the driving factors of inflation. Thanks Fractional Reserve banking and fiat currency! The rich get richer and the poor get poorer!

Why do I have the feeling it's not altruism?

[Opportunist]

It smells more like someone came to their door and said "Dude. Listen. This is our biz. We do the ransomware racket on this planet. We encrypt people's stuff and they pay us. You will now close shop and if we notice that any bitcoin that was supposed to go to us goes to you, well, your kidneys are worth a pretty bitcoin too".