University pays $20,000 to ransomware hackers

Re:University pays $20,000 to ransomware hackers by deciplex on Friday June 10, 2016 @04:16AM (#11874980)

> Hell, the government could step in and recruit people and companies to falsely claim that they were ransomware victims who paid up, but never got decryption keys and were screwed over. That could put a damper on ransomware psychology.

This actually did happen to me. Paid the money, got the key, couldn't unlock my files. Damn shame.

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Re:University pays $20,000 to ransomware hackers by cantrevealname on Friday June 10, 2016 @04:31AM (#11875035)

I'm sorry to hear that. Being Hacker News I think we'd all be very interested if you are able to share some details such as:

- how your system got compromised?

- did you have backups? (and did the backups get encrypted?)

- how much did you pay and by what method?

- why do you think the key didn't work?

EDIT: It now occurs to me that you're following my suggestion about falsely claiming to be a ransomware victim to discourage ransom payments. Whoosh!

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Re:University pays $20,000 to ransomware hackers by jstanley on Friday June 10, 2016 @04:40AM (#11875068)

> you're following my suggestion about falsely claiming to be a ransomware victim

effective, isn't it!

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Re:University pays $20,000 to ransomware hackers by simonh on Friday June 10, 2016 @04:38AM (#11875064)

I see what you did there.

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