Yohanes Nugroho Releases Free GPU Decryptor for Akira Ransomware

Security researcher Yohanes Nugroho has developed a free decryptor for the Akira ransomware targeting Linux systems, which employs GPUs to brute-force the encryption keys. Initially aiming to complete the project in a week, Nugroho faced unforeseen challenges that extended the effort to three weeks and cost $1,200 in GPU resources. The method exploits the ransomware's use of timestamp-based seeds to generate unique encryption keys, which complicates brute-forcing due to the nanosecond precision of the timestamps. Nugroho's decryptor is significant as it allows victims to recover their files without paying the ransom, especially in light of the growing number of Akira ransomware attacks. The researcher has shared the source code on GitHub, enabling others affected by the ransomware to apply similar techniques. While promising, Nugroho cautions that future adaptations by ransomware operators could hinder the effectiveness of this decryption method.