An unidentified programmer has found a way to unlock files encrypted by the Petya ransomware. The malware began circulating in large numbers last month, and those that fall victim face a payment of 0.9 Bitcoin (£265) to unlock their files. According to security researcher Brian Krebs, who discovered the bug, the hacker is using an exploit known as EternalBlue, which was first used against Microsoft Windows back in 2014. However, on the downside, the key generator requires users to source information from specific memory locations on the infected drive, something many users may find difficult to do.
An unidentified programmer has found a way to unlock files encrypted by the Petya ransomware. The malware began circulating in large numbers last month, and those that fall victim face a payment of 0.9 Bitcoin (£265) to unlock their files. The new tool however, exploits shortfalls in the way Petya encrypts a file; the key generator can unlock an encrypted computer in seven seconds. However, on the downside, the key generator requires users to source information from specific memory locations on the infected drive, something many users may find difficult to do.