Security solutions provider Bitdefender is offering a free tool to prevent system infections from the most dangerous ransomware currently circulating, including Locky. Locky has wreaked havoc worldwide, particularly in France.
Explanation:
Security firm Bitdefender has launched a free tool to prevent computers from being infected by the most active ransomware of recent times, namely Locky, TeslaCrypt, and CTB-Locker. The ransomware vaccine offered by the company is based on the same principle as its CryptoWall anti-infection tool.
Most security experts advise against paying ransomware authors. The risk is, of course, never receiving a decryption key for the encrypted data, but also failing to reward and fund the actions of these cybercriminals. These criminals even go to great lengths to help users decrypt their data, sometimes even negotiating to encourage payments, however small. Many ransomware creators also incorporate validation steps into their programs to ensure that infected computers containing already encrypted files are not reinfected, as the risk is that no decryption method will work. If this is the case, why would a user pay a ransom if they cannot be certain of recovering their data? In such a situation, they would be better off abandoning the encrypted data and paying nothing at all, which certainly wouldn't suit the hackers.
An effective ransomware, but one that can't do everything:
Bitdefender's latest tool takes advantage of this built-in ransomware control by tricking the program into thinking it has already been infected by current variants of Locky, TeslaCrypt, or CTB-Locker. The only drawbacks are that the tool cannot fool certain ransomware families and may not function indefinitely. It's therefore best to consider Bitdefender's solution as a last resort and take some precautions beforehand, such as keeping your PC, browser, and plugins like Flash Player, Adobe Reader, Java, and Silverlight up to date. Also, ensure that these plugins cannot allow macro execution in documents unless their source has been verified as trustworthy. Similarly, emails containing attachments should also be treated with great care (sender name, header, file type, etc.). If in doubt, it's best to contact the sender directly using a communication method you've already used with them.
"Although very effective, the ransomware vaccine was designed as an additional layer of defense for end users who do not have a security solution or who would like to supplement theirs with ransomware security solutions," said Bogdan Botezatu, senior analyst at Bitdefender.
Configuration:
– Intel Pentium 4 1GHz processor
– 512 MB RAM
– Hard drive with 30 MB of free space
– Depending on the .NET Framework version 3 or higher
– Administrator mode required
Facility :
for a computer with Intel x86 x64
Run: AntiRansomware x86 x64.exe
- Language: English
- Size: 4.48 MB
This article was updated on August 1, 2016
