Are Ransomware Decryption Tools Safe?

If you’re hit by ransomware, you’re certainly not alone. By one estimate, 2,708 ransomware attacks occurred from April 2022 to March 2023 — but since many attacks aren’t reported, the true number is much, much higher. When a ransomware infection...
May 12, 2023

The RTM Locker Ransomware Group: 4 Quick Facts

RTM (Read The Manual) Group is a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) organization that has attacked businesses in the United States and other countries. Like most ransomware groups, RTM gains access to target systems through phishing, software vulnerabilities, or other attack vectors, then...
April 17, 2023

Should You Pay a Ransomware Attack? 

Ransomware continues to disrupt public organizations, businesses, and private computer users, and the trend isn’t showing signs of stopping. Over the past several years, malicious actors have attacked thousands of targets, and by one estimate, ransomware was involved in 25% ...
April 14, 2023

Paying a Ransomware Ransom Is (Usually) Illegal

If you’re hit with a ransomware attack, you’re facing an unpleasant choice: Pay the ransom to restore your files, contact a professional ransomware recovery company, or lose important data forever. However, in the United States, paying the ransom may be...
April 13, 2023

What Does it Mean to “Bake” an Analog Video Cassette?

Media preservation can be a tricky business. Due to age, humidity, or other factors, legacy formats like Sony U-Matic, Betacam, and other analog video cassettes can become warped, distorted, and unplayable. One well-known tape preservation method is baking tapes, which...
March 7, 2023

What Is Hard Drive Degaussing?

Degaussing is a data sanitization procedure that destroys data by applying powerful magnetic fields. Here’s how the process works.
February 28, 2023

Do Magnets Damage Solid-State Drives?

No, magnets will not damage solid-state drives. However, changes in magnetic fields might cause data loss under certain circumstances. Strong magnetic fields can destroy data on hard disk drives (HDDs) and data tapes, for a simple reason: Those devices use...
February 27, 2023

Storing and Preserving Sony U-Matic Tapes: 3 Challenges

Recently, we digitized ¾-inch Sony U-matic cartridges that had sat in storage for about four decades — with no considerations for humidity, heat, or other factors that could cause signal loss.  That project was largely successful, but it highlights the...
February 23, 2023

Datarecovery.com Restores Rare 1979 Interview with Talking Heads

With help from Datarecovery.com, an award-winning filmmaker and television producer has digitized some of his earliest work — including a rare 1979 interview with Chris Frantz, then-drummer for the Talking Heads. Greg Crutcher has had a storied career, serving as...
February 13, 2023

ESXiArgs VMware Ransomware: An Overview

ESXiArgs is ransomware that encrypts VMware ESXi virtual machines and demands payments via cryptocurrency. The attackers reveal the infection with a ransom message demanding payment. Here’s a typical example of a ransom: Security Alert!!!We hacked your company successfully All...
February 10, 2023