The Rapid ransomware variant began attacking victims at the end of December 2017, according to the ID ransomware service Malwarehunterteam. This ransomware strain is interesting and unique because it keeps running even after encryption is completed, and continues encrypting files once they are created. Our team analyzed a new sample that was compiled a week ago.

Given the explosion of ransomware – malicious code that infects your computer and denies you access unless you pay a ransom – Acronis is doing all it can to combat it and protect the data of businesses and home users. That’s why we’re excited to launch a free version of our anti-ransomware software today. Acronis Ransomware Protection, is a free, standalone version of our unique, artificial intelligence-based anti-ransomware technology, which stops ransomware attacks in real-time and helps users to recover data without paying the ransom.

In a January 2018 survey polling members of the internet population on topics including how they protect their valuable files, if they know about ransomware, and what factors influence their software purchases, nearly half of the population (46.4 percent) reported that they were not aware of ransomware as a threat. It proves once again that to combat the threat, we must ramp up awareness and spread the word.

The Paradise ransomware that was seen in September 2017 is back, launching a new round of attacks in early January. This strain provides an unbreakable encryption scheme by using the RSA cipher for file encryption – an unusual cipher choice that makes fighting this strain even more challenging. Here’s a complete analysis of Paradise ransomware so you know what you’re facing, and how you can avoid it.