Cyber ​​repentance: hackers behind viruses extortionists repented of their actions

This week, two cyber warders who spread viruses, which encrypt your files and demand a ransom for their decryption, suddenly repented . They stopped their activities and returned their files to people without payment. And it didn’t even need to arrest them.



The first hacker, hiding under the pseudonym "Poka BrightMinds", spreading the virus "Locker.", Posted a list of keys to the network to decrypt files and wrote that he was "very sorry" about the inconvenience and repent of his deed. He also wrote that "he did not intend to release his virus." The author of the virus promised that the automatic decryption of all files on the victims' computers would begin soon. On the basis of published keys, enthusiasts have already made a program decrypting the files affected by the virus.

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According to a Symantec study that traced bitcoin transactions related to addresses used by a hacker for extortion, he received $ 169 from victims.



The second person who experienced unexpected repentance was the author of the whole service, who offered everyone to infect computers and share profits from the ransom. I wrote about the Tox service on May 29th . The hacker offered to download an individual version of the virus from the site hiding in the Tor network, and after receiving the payment, he promised to transfer “clients” 70%, leaving only 30% to himself.



But when this service became widely known enough, its author decided that such fame was not part of his plans. “Plan A has always been to remain silent and unnoticeable,” he wrote on the project website. “It was fun and cheerful, but I don't want to be a criminal.” The situation is getting out of control, and I'm not some cool hacker, but just a student. ” It remains with caution to wait for those who consider themselves a "cool hacker" and will undertake to repeat the venture with the "virus as a service" on a much larger scale.



It is difficult to say what awakened the conscience of these people. Perhaps the recent ending of Ulbrecht's “The Terrible Pirate ”’s sad story . In any case, it is worthwhile to consult with your conscience before starting such malicious activity with the aim of profit.