ransomware

The No More Ransom initiative is offering 136 free tools to rescue files held to ransom.  The scheme has just celebrated its 6th Anniversary and over 10 million people have now downloaded its decryption tools.  It is a great example of a successful public-private partnership initiative – to date it has helped over 1.5 million people successfully decrypt their devices without needing to pay the criminals. The portal is available in 37 languages in order to better assist victims of ransomware across the globe.

Launched by Europol, the Dutch National Police (Politie) and IT security companies, the No More Ransom portal initially offered four tools for unlocking different types of ransomware and was available only in English.  Last year a new website was launched. Six years later the scheme offers 136 free tools for 165 ransomware variants, including Gandcrab, REvil/Sodinokibi, Maze/Egregor/Sekhmet and more.  Over 188 partners from the public and private sector have joined the scheme, regularly providing new decryption tools for the latest strains of malicious software.

The best cure against ransomware remains diligent prevention. You are strongly advised to:

  • Regularly back up data stored on your electronic devices.
  • Watch your clicks – do you know where a link will take you?
  • Do not open attachments in e-mails from unknown senders, even if they look important and credible.
  • Ensure that your security software and operating system are up to date.
  • Use two-factor authentication (2FA) to protect your user accounts.
  • Limit the possibility to export large amounts of corporate data to external file exchange portals.
  • If you become a victim, do not pay! Report the crime and check No More Ransom for decryption tools.

Crypto Sheriff helps define the type of ransomware affecting your device. This enables a check to see if there is a solution available. If there is, you will be provided with a link to download the decryption solution