A breed of ransomware that targets websites has taken the novel approach of using the blockchain distributed transaction ledger used by Bitcoin to deliver decryption keys to victim systems.
Security vendor Sucuri analysed a new strain of CTB-Locker, a ransomware that first appeared in January this year, and discovered that the March version had changed how it attempts to extort money out of users.
One of the changes included a decryption test for two files, costing 0.0001 Bitcoin (5.5 Australian cents). The decryption test is to be done before paying the full ransom, lowered to 0.15 BTC from 0.4 BTC (A$83 and A$222 respectively) in the March variant of CTB-Locker.
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http://www.itnews.com.au/news/ransomware-uses-blockchains-for-decoder-delivery-418190#ixzz45qnSZg32
