Hackers shut down Shade ransomware and release keys

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

The hackers behind the notorious Shade ransomware have shut down their operations and released over 750,000 decryption keys along with instructions to help victims decrypt their data.

The group, also known as Troldesh or Encoder.858 had been active since 2014, mostly targeting users in Russia and Ukraine. In a message left on a Github repository, the group revealed that it had stopped targeting victims since the end of 2019, however they did not reveal the reasons for shutting down. 

The hackers have published the decryption keys along with their decryption software aiming that antivirus companies can create better tools to help users decrypt their data. Kaspersky has already verified the keys and announced that it is creating a free decryption tool.

Shade ransomware

As well as apologizing to all their victims, the Github post of the operators of the ransomware suggests that they have deleted all the source codes. 

“We are the team which created a trojan-encryptor mostly known as Shade, Troldesh or Encoder.858. In fact, we stopped its distribution in the end of 2019. Now we made a decision to put the last point in this story and to publish all the decryption keys we have (over 750 thousands at all)," the post read

“We are also publishing our decryption soft; we also hope that, having the keys, antivirus companies will issue their own more user-friendly decryption tools. All other data related to our activity (including the source codes of the trojan) was irrevocably destroyed. We apologize to all the victims of the trojan and hope that the keys we published will help them to recover their data,” it added.

Experts suggest that Shade ransomware was one of the oldest and most active ransomware strains in existence. While hackers used a combination of email scam and exploit kits to distribute it, it was not considered as perfect since antivirus tools, including Kaspersky and McAfee, were successful in decrypting some systems.

It is likely that these keys are valid for all the versions of Shade ransomware and may be valid for all the users who were impacted. While the security researchers may come up with an easy tool to decrypt data, there may be very few users who have still stored their encrypted data as people generally wipe the infected devices to install fresh operating systems.

Via: Bleepingcomputer

Jitendra Soni

Jitendra has been working in the Internet Industry for the last 7 years now and has written about a wide range of topics including gadgets, smartphones, reviews, games, software, apps, deep tech, AI, and consumer electronics.  

Latest in Security
Data Breach
Thousands of healthcare records exposed online, including private patient information
China
Juniper patches security flaws which could have let hackers take over your router
Representational image depecting cybersecurity protection
GitLab has patched a host of worrying security issues
Ai tech, businessman show virtual graphic Global Internet connect Chatgpt Chat with AI, Artificial Intelligence.
AI agents can be hijacked to write and send phishing attacks
China
Volt Typhoon threat group had access to American utility networks for the best part of a year
Abstract image of cyber security in action.
MassJacker malware targets those looking for pirated software
Latest in News
Super Mario Odyssey
ChatGPT is the ultimate gaming tool - here's 4 ways you can use AI to help with your next playthrough
Brad Pitt looks over his right shoulder with 'F1' written behind him
Apple Original Films will take you behind-the-scenes of a racing cockpit in this new thrilling F1 movie trailer
AI writer
Coding AI tells developer to write it himself
Reacher looking down at another character from the Prime Video TV series Reacher
Reacher season 3 becomes Prime Video’s biggest returning show thanks to Hollywood’s biggest heavyweight
Finger Presses Orange Button Domain Name Registration on Black Keyboard Background. Closeup View
I visited the world’s first registered .com domain – and you won’t believe what it’s offering today
Image showing detail of the Leica D-Lux 8
Still can't get a Fujifilm X100VI? This premium Leica compact costs less, and it's in stock