{
	"id": "8e3090f9-98ed-4c68-9c3d-1d2bfe26ae01",
	"created_at": "2026-04-06T00:21:55.36491Z",
	"updated_at": "2026-04-10T03:21:58.018575Z",
	"deleted_at": null,
	"sha1_hash": "17e578d59083540eda41cf6c57013cfa23f60425",
	"title": "Avast released a free decryptor for TargetCompany ransomware",
	"llm_title": "",
	"authors": "",
	"file_creation_date": "0001-01-01T00:00:00Z",
	"file_modification_date": "0001-01-01T00:00:00Z",
	"file_size": 394704,
	"plain_text": "Avast released a free decryptor for TargetCompany ransomware\r\nBy Pierluigi Paganini\r\nPublished: 2022-02-07 · Archived: 2026-04-05 19:36:37 UTC\r\n Pierluigi Paganini February 07, 2022\r\nCzech cybersecurity software firm Avast has released a decryption tool that could allow victims of the\r\nTargetCompany ransomware to recover their files for free under certain circumstances.\r\nThe experts warn that the decryptor consumes most of the processor’s computing power in order to retrieve the\r\npassword, the cracking process may take up to tens of hours.\r\nThe decryptor allows users to periodically save the progress to interrupt and restart the decryption process and\r\nresume the previously started cracking process.\r\n“During password cracking, all your available processor cores will spend most of their computing power to find\r\nthe decryption password. The cracking process may take a large amount of time, up to tens of hours,” reads the\r\nhttps://securityaffairs.co/wordpress/127761/malware/targetcompany-ransomware-decryptor.html\r\nPage 1 of 3\n\nannouncement published by Avast. “The decryptor periodically saves the progress and if you interrupt it and\r\nrestart the decryptor later, it offers you an option to resume the previously started cracking process.”\r\nThe password cracking process is only needed once per PC, there is no need to repeat it for each file.\r\nTargetCompany ransomware decryptor utility can download from Avast server, a simple interface instructs the\r\nusers in the decryption process.\r\n“On the final wizard page, you can opt-in whether you want to backup encrypted files. These backups may help if\r\nanything goes wrong during the decryption process. This option is turned on by default, which we recommend.”\r\ncontinues Avast.\r\nTargetCompany has been active since June 2021, once encrypted a file it adds .mallox, .exploit, .architek, or\r\n.brg extension to the filenames of encrypted files.\r\nLike other ransomware, TargetCompany removes shadow copies on all drives and kills some processes that may\r\nhold open valuable files, such as databases.\r\nOnce the encryption process is completed it drops a ransom note file named “HOW TO RECOVER !!.TXT” in all\r\nfolders containing encrypted files.\r\nOver the past months Avast has released other free decryptors for other ransomware, including Babuk, AtomSilo,\r\nand LockFile ransomware.\r\nFollow me on Twitter: @securityaffairs and Facebook\r\nhttps://securityaffairs.co/wordpress/127761/malware/targetcompany-ransomware-decryptor.html\r\nPage 2 of 3\n\n[adrotate banner=”9″] [adrotate banner=”12″]\r\nPierluigi Paganini\r\n(SecurityAffairs – hacking, TargetCompany ransomware)\r\n[adrotate banner=”5″]\r\n[adrotate banner=”13″]\r\nSource: https://securityaffairs.co/wordpress/127761/malware/targetcompany-ransomware-decryptor.html\r\nhttps://securityaffairs.co/wordpress/127761/malware/targetcompany-ransomware-decryptor.html\r\nPage 3 of 3",
	"extraction_quality": 1,
	"language": "EN",
	"sources": [
		"Malpedia"
	],
	"references": [
		"https://securityaffairs.co/wordpress/127761/malware/targetcompany-ransomware-decryptor.html"
	],
	"report_names": [
		"targetcompany-ransomware-decryptor.html"
	],
	"threat_actors": [],
	"ts_created_at": 1775434915,
	"ts_updated_at": 1775791318,
	"ts_creation_date": 0,
	"ts_modification_date": 0,
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