This time last year, the Dutch National Police, Europol, McAfee and Kaspersky Lab created an initiative called ‘No More Ransom’.

‘No More Ransom’s’ website covers 104 different types of ransomware, 54 decryption tools, has had over 1.3 million visitors, is available in 26 different languages, and boasts 109 partners, including: Abelssoft, Ascora GmbH, Barclays, Bitsight, Bournemouth University, CERT.BE, Claranet, CSA Singapore, ESTSecurity, Fortinet, Global Forum on Cyber Expertise, InterWorks, IPA, KISA, TWCERT/CC, LLC, University of Porto and vpnMentor.

Because of this, over 28,000 devices have been decrypted, depriving cybercriminals of around £6.5million in ransom, giving ‘the initiative’ something to celebrate.

According to a report by Kaspersky Lab, the number of users attacked by a ransomware between April 2017 – March 2017 rose by 11.4% globally, compared to last year.

Kaspersky Lab noted “users must not pay a ransom if issued one, and should call the police immediately”.

Written from press release by Leah Alger