"DarkSide Decryptor Unlocks Systems Without Ransom Payment – for Now"

The antivirus company Bitdefender released a free decryptor for DarkSide ransomware to allow victims to unlock their systems and recover their files without having to pay a ransom. According to Bitdefender, their tool can automatically scan and search for file extensions related to the files encrypted by DarkSide ransomware and then decrypt them. The DarkSide ransomware group is relatively new in that it first emerged in August 2020. DarkSide operates under a ransomware-as-a-service business model as it sells or leases customized versions of their malware to other partners to use in their own ransomware operations. The group uses a highly targeted approach in its selection of victims. Digital Shadows revealed that the group carefully crafts custom code for each of its targets and applies corporate-like communications methods. This article continues to discuss the DarkSide decryptor released by Bitdefender, observations surrounding this ransomware gang, DarkSide's response to the decryptor, and the growing sophistication of ransomware groups. 

SC Media reports "DarkSide Decryptor Unlocks Systems Without Ransom Payment – for Now"