Losing your data sucks. It sucks even more when someone uses ransomware to maliciously encrypt your files and demands Bitcoin BTC to ensure its safe return. But dont worry, because there are things you can do to get one over on the cyberbaddies.

Software company Emsisoft has recently released a free decryption tool for prevalentBitcoinextorting ransomware, called WannaCryFake.

According to Emsisofts security researchers, WannaCryFake is a strain of the infamous WannaCry ransomware that began spreading around the world back in 2017, infecting big corporations including hospitals, banks, and telecom companies.

WannaCryFake is a strain of ransomware that uses AES-256 to encrypt a victims files.

If youve identified that your system has been infected with the WannaCryFake malware, you might be able to use Emsisofts free tool to regain access to your files. Though, under no circumstances should you make contact with the hackers, the company says.

Its a pretty simple process too. Firstly, ensure youve removed the malware from your system, and then download Emsisofts decryptor.

Run the decryptor and ensure the hard drives/storage devices that have been encrypted are selected and click the decrypt button.

While decryption tools can help you recover lost files, they dont work all the time and sometimes experts just end up paying the hackers. Emisosft told Hard Fork that its decryptor has been 100 percent effective so far, based on reports of its use.

If off-the-shelf decryptors dont work for you, there are other things you can try.

Emsisoft, along with a host of other security organizations, is part of the No More Ransom project, a collaboration between law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity firms to help victims hit back at ransomware.

On the No More Ransom website you can seek more help from experts. Here, you can upload a couple of encrypted files and more details about the ransomware attack and the project will direct you to a solution, if one exists.

That said, perhaps the best method is to protect yourself against malware in the first place and ensure you make regular backups of your data.

If youre unlucky and have been hit by Bitcoin-ransoming malware, you can download Emsisofts decrypto here.

Sadly,Bitcoin-ransoming malware is quite prevalent. One strain of malware, Ryuk, managed to earn hackers more than $3 million inBitcoinover the first five months of the year. Its about time we put a stop to this, in any capacity we can.

Come say hi to the Hard Fork teamat our blockchain event. On October 15-17 in Amsterdam, hear from top experts as they discuss the industrys future.

Update September 26, 2019, 1345UTC: Emisoft replied to Hard Forks request for comment. The article has been updated to reflect this.

Published September 26, 2019 10:08 UTC

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Heres how to fight back against Bitcoin-ransoming malware - The Next Web