Petya expands its scope: A global ransomware threat

Ransomware remains a formidable threat for individual users and businesses alike, particularly as new sample families continue to be discovered by security researchers. What makes ransomware so dangerous is the fact that victims are denied access to their most important files and data - a problem...

Bye, bye Petya! Decryptor for old versions released.

Following the outbreak of the Petya-based malware in Ukraine, the author of the original version, Janus, decided to release his master key, probably closing the project. You can read the full story here. Based on the released key, we prepared a decryptor that is capable of unlocking all the...

Keeping up with the Petyas: Demystifying the malware family

Last June 27, there was a huge outbreak of a Petya-esque malware with WannaCry-style infector in the Ukraine. Since there is still confusion about how exactly this malware is linked to the original Petya, we have prepared this small guide on the background of the Petya family. The origin of Petya...

Mamba Ransomware Encrypts Hard Drives Rather Than Files

Just when we thought ransomware’s evolution had peaked, a new strain has been discovered that forgoes the encryption of individual files, and instead encrypts a machine’s hard drive. The malware, called Mamba, has been found on machines in Brazil, the United States and India, according to...

Petya Sabotages Rival Ransomware Chimera, Leaks 3,500 Decryption Keys

There is no honor among thieves, as the saying goes, and that includes ransomware crooks. In an apparent move to sabotage a ransomware competitor, the authors of the Mischa and Petya ransomware-as-a-service leaked 3,500 decryption keys for its competitor Chimera ransomware. The move appears to be...

Petya Ransomware Installs Mischa As Failsafe

The Petya ransomware strain signaled a new escalation for crypto-malware when it surfaced in March. For the first time, ransomware went beyond encrypting files on local and shared drives and instead set its sights on locking up the Master File Table on compromised machines. Petya did have its...