Emsisoft Explained

Emsisoft
Type:Private
Industry:Computer security
Founded:2003
Founder:Christian Mairoll
Hq Location City:Nelson
Hq Location Country:New Zealand
Area Served:Worldwide
Products:Emsisoft Anti-Virus

Emsisoft Ltd. (est. 2003) is a New Zealand-based anti-virus software distributed company.[1] [2] They are notable for decrypting ransomware attacks[3] to restore data.[4]

History

Emsisoft is an anti-malware and cybersecurity software and consulting company founded in Austria in 2003 by Christian Mairoll.[5] [6] The company makes anti-malware software and decryption tools used by companies and individuals to help them recover computer files encrypted in ransomware attacks.[7] [8] It also tracks and generates studies on ransomware attacks.[9] [10]

Mairoll, who is CEO, relocated to rural New Zealand in 2014,[11] moving Emsisoft’s headquarters to the country, while its employees across Europe, Asia and the United States remained remote.[12]

In 2019, Emsisoft donated decryption tools to Europol's No More Ransom project.[13] The company’s decryption tools were also used to help resolve the Kaseya VSA ransomware attack,[14] DarkSide and BlackMatter ransomware attacks against dozens of companies across the U.S., Europe and Britain in 2021.[15] [16]

Ireland’s National Cyber Security Centre used Emsisoft’s decryption tools in May 2021 to help the country's health service department recover from a ransomware attack.[17]

In early 2021, Emsisoft suffered a system data breach due to a configuration error, leading to the release of a database containing log records, including email addresses, generated by Emsisoft, that were accessed by at least one unauthorized individual.[18] After detecting the attack, Emsisoft implemented security mechanisms, including disconnecting the compromised system and investigated the incident using forensic analysis. Customers were notified and Emsisoft issued a public apology for the incident.[19]

Technology

Emsisoft's anti-malware technology is called Emsisoft Anti-Malware and has three versions: Anti-Malware Home, Business Security and Enterprise Security.[20] [21] [22] The company also makes an extension for the web browsers Google Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge that enables blocking access to malicious and phishing websites.

Notes and References

  1. News: Popper. Nathaniel. 2020-02-09. Ransomware Attacks Grow, Crippling Cities and Businesses. en-US. The New York Times. 2021-06-01. 0362-4331.
  2. Web site: Cyber Defense Test Labs Review: Emsisoft Anti-Malware 7.0 . 4 February 2013 . Cyber Defense Magazine.
  3. Web site: NZ firm says its software, used by Ireland's ransomware-hit health service, could save Waikato DHB. 2021-06-01. NZ Herald. en-NZ.
  4. Web site: Ransomware gangs' slow decryptors prompt victims to seek alternatives. 2021-06-01. BleepingComputer. en-us.
  5. News: Chan . Rosalie . This is what a workday looks like for a CEO who runs his entire 40-employee tech company from a farm in New Zealand . 8 August 2022 . Business Insider . 19 January 2019.
  6. News: Muldrew . Claudia . Emsisoft launches two new programmes for partner revenue growth . 3 February 2023 . New Zealand Reseller News . 23 January 2023.
  7. News: Rubenking . Neil J. . Emsisoft Anti-Malware Review . 16 August 2022 . PC Magazine . 26 August 2021.
  8. News: Tidy . Joey . Hated and hunted . 5 August 2022 . BBC . March 2019.
  9. News: PIcchi . Aimee . Ransomware's mounting toll: Delayed surgeries and school closures . 5 August 2022 . CBS News . 1 October 2019.
  10. News: Craver . Richard . Ransomware attack cost Hanesbrands $100 million in sales. It's unclear whether Winston-Salem company paid the ransom. . 15 August 2022 . Winston-Salem Journal . 11 August 2022.
  11. News: Keall . Chris . NZ firm says its software, used by Ireland's ransomware-hit health service, could save Waikato DHB . 8 August 2022 . New Zealand Herald . 26 May 2021.
  12. News: Vasel . Kathryn . A company where everyone works from home. Here's how to make it work . 8 August 2022 . CNN . 20 February 2019.
  13. News: Tidy . Joe . The quiet scheme saving thousands from ransomware . 5 August 2022 . BBC . 26 July 2019.
  14. News: Nakashima . Ellen . Lerman . Rachel . FBI held back ransomware decryption key from businesses to run operation targeting hackers . 8 August 2022 . Washington Post . 21 September 2021.
  15. News: Perlroth . Nicole . A Rare Win in the Cat-and-Mouse Game of Ransomware . 5 August 2022 . The New York Times . 24 October 2021.
  16. News: Gallagher . Ryan . Ransomware Attack in Germany Tied to Colonial Pipeline Hackers . 5 August 2022 . TIME Magazine . 4 February 2022.
  17. News: Pullar-Strecke . Tom . NZ firm helps Irish health service recover from ransomware attack . 5 August 2022 . Stuff . 23 May 2021.
  18. News: Coble . Sarah . February 8, 2021 . Emsisoft Suffers System Breach . Infosecurity Magazine .
  19. News: Mares . Octavio . EMSISOFT ANTIVIRUS COMPANY WAS HACKED; CUSTOMER DATA LEAKED . Security Newspaper .
  20. News: Rubenking . Neil J. . Emsisoft Anti-Malware Review . 16 August 2022 . PC Magazine . 26 August 2021.
  21. News: Tidy . Joey . Hated and hunted . 5 August 2022 . BBC . March 2019.
  22. News: Williams . Mike . Emsisoft Anti-Malware Home review . 16 August 2022 . Tech Radar . 11 December 2019.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Emsisoft".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.