Ransomware gang coughs up decryptor after realizing they hit the police
The AvosLocker ransomware operation provided a free decryptor after learning they encrypted a US government agency. Last month, a US police department was breached by AvosLocker, who encrypted devices and stole data during the attack.
However, according to a screenshot shared by security researcher pancak3, after learning that the victim was a government agency, they provided a decryptor for free.
When asked if they purposely avoid targeting government agencies out of fear of law enforcement, they said it’s more because “tax payer money’s generally hard to get.”
However, international law enforcement operations have resulted in numerous indictments or arrests of ransomware members and money launderers over the past year. These arrests include members of the REvil, Netwalker, and Clop ransomware gangs.
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