If you are infected with the Bitcoin-demanding WannaCryFake ransomware, you can let your hair down as cybersecurity technology firm Emsisoft has just released a free bug fix.
According to the official blog post dated Sep 25, the software is available for a free download and will help users recover their lost data without having to pay any Bitcoin ransom or compromise on the amount of data received.
About the infamous WannaCryFake ransomware
If you haven’t heard already, WannaCryFake is the revised version of the ill-reputed WannaCry ransomware attack that broke loose in May 2017 by targeting Microsoft Windows operating system users, ciphering the data and demanding a hefty Bitcoin ransom.
WannaCryFake locks in victims’ data using advanced encryption technology and requests payment in Bitcoin in exchange for deciphering the files or releasing the requested data.
Emsisoft observes that the files encoded by WannaCryFake ransomware add a peculiar file extension name to end and it goes like this – “.[][recoverydata54@protonmail.com].WannaCry”. It prompts the users to contact them either via email or a telegram ID. Interestingly, the attackers also suggest ways to purchase Bitcoin for the settlement amount.
Do not pay the ransom. Download Emsisoft decryptor instead
And while the Bitcoin ransom largely depends on how quickly the victims attempt to make contact with the encryptors, Emsisoft urges the injured party to stay as far away as they can from the malware attackers.
Regardless of the Bitcoin amount or the contents of the message, Emsisoft vows to arrange full recovery of data through their decryption tool. The Emsisoft decryptor pieces together the unadulterated file version and the encrypted text to figure out the locked data. The protocol relies on the file extensions, added by the encryptors, to determine the parameters for unlocking data and as a result, users are requested not to rename files.
Besides, users can also choose to list the entire decryption procedure for their future reference by hitting the Save Log button.
Indeed, initiatives such as these surely allow users to heave a sigh of relief amidst the growing threat of cyber attacks. According to the latest McAfee Labs report, ransomware attacks are up by shockingly one hundred and eighteen percent (118%) during the first quarter of 2019.
