Emsisoft offers a library of free tools that can rescue files encrypted by ransomware.
If your files have been scrambled by ransomware, a decrypter may be able to save the day – and security vendor Emsisoft now has a download page, a single source where you can download any of the company’s free decrypters.
Emsisoft adds new decrypters to the page as soon as it develops solutions for new threats. At last count there were 20 decrypters available, and they’re all entirely free to use.
The page provides clues to help you find out exactly which type of ransomware might have infected your PC, and usage guidelines for each decrypter. In some cases, there are links to more detailed analysis of the threat, and exactly what it does to your system.
If you can’t identify your particular infection, Emsisoft runs a helpful support forum. Alternatively, the ID Ransomware site now detects 79 variants. It can’t decrypt them, but may be able to point you in the right direction.
But as usual, the best approach is to avoid being infected in the first place. Follow these recommended security practices, make sure you’re running good antivirus software, and consider supplementing it with specialist anti-ransomware tools like Bitdefender’s BDAntiRansomware, Malwarebytes Anti-Ransomware and WinAntiRansom.