No More Ransom decrypt cure for ransomware attacks 

Cybersafetyconnections August 29 ,2022 Vol#82

Here is your monthly podcast taken from blog post August 1, 2022, Vol#78.

• Ransomware is going nowhere; it is more dangerous and effective.  
• There is a solution that has helped 1.5 million victims decrypt files without ransom and saved about 1.5 billion from falling into the hands of cybercriminals.  
• Our responsibilities to mitigate loss from ransom have not been taken away from us.  
• In the event of an attack, Europol has this advice. 

Ransomware is going nowhere, it is more dangerous and effective 

The fight against ransomware is difficulty because ransomware not only causes disorganization, but the cybercriminals also demand ransom payments from the victims in exchange for decryption key. When the ransom is paid, the cybercriminals may re-target the victims again since this is not a difficult way for them to make money.

Decryption solution without ransom payment  

An EU agency has a cure for decrypting ransomware files that has been in operation since 2016. The solution is called No More Ransom and up till date has helped over 1.5 million people decrypt their machines without paying ransom. This effort prevented an estimated 1.5 billion from being paid to cybercriminals.  

This statistic was provided by Europol on the 6th anniversary of the No More Ransom the European Law enforcement anti-ransom initiative.  Click on the to read the full article.

No More Ransom was started in 2016 by Europol, the Dutch National Police (Politie), and some cybersecurity and IT companies using four decryption tools that were available. Currently No More Ransom has 136 free decryption tools to fight 165 types of ransomwares like GandCrab, REvil, Maze, ……….e.t.c.  

No More Ransom is a collaboration of over 188 partners from private sector, public sector, law enforcement, academia and other groups that are working tirelessly to provide new decryption tools, have a portal that caters to 37 languages to help victims of ransomware attacks globally. 

We are still responsible for mitigating loss from ransomware  

Law enforcement works to stop ransomware attacks by pulling down the cybercriminals network of support. 

That does not mean we are not to do our part to prevent or mitigate effect of the ransomware attacks. 

Here are some of the proven ways to help fight against ransomware attacks; 

• Regularly back up data so it can be restored in the event of ransomware attack and to avoid paying ransom. 

• Keep your security software and operating systems up to date with the latest patch. 

• Use Multifactor Authentication (MFA) to help keep accounts from being hacked and used for ransomware attacks. 

In the event of an attack, Europol has this advice. 

Europol advises that in the event of ransomware attack, victims are not to pay the ransom but instead check the No More Ransom portal to get help and provide report to the police to help in the understanding of how ransomware operates. 

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