What is a .NULL file?
A file with a .null extension is a type of file that has been encrypted by a specific kind of harmful software known as Null ransomware. This ransomware is a version of the Stop and Djvu ransomware families and first appeared in August 2017. The Null ransomware uses a very strong encryption method called AES-256 to lock the contents of the files, making them inaccessible. Simply renaming the file by removing the .null extension will not decrypt or restore the file's original content.
**Programs that can open this file extension:** It's important to note that regular software cannot open a .null file because the file's contents are encrypted. The primary method to potentially restore these files involves using a system restore or specialized decryption tools designed to counteract this specific ransomware, if available.
**More Information:** Null ransomware typically enters a computer through deceptive methods, such as spam emails containing malicious attachments. These attachments might look harmless, like regular JavaScript (.JS) files or Word documents (.DOCX) with macros. However, once these attachments are opened, they activate the ransomware, which then begins to encrypt various types of files on the computer, including documents, images, videos, and backup files. For instance, a file originally named "photo.jpg" would be renamed to "photo.jpg.null" after encryption.
Once the files are encrypted, the ransomware displays a message or a pop-up window on the computer screen. This message explains that the files have been encrypted and provides details about the encryption method used. It also lists the files that have been affected and gives instructions on how the user can recover their files, typically demanding a ransom payment in Bitcoin to receive a decryption key.
Victims of such ransomware attacks are advised to avoid paying the ransom as this does not guarantee that access to the encrypted files will be restored. Instead, affected users should seek help from cybersecurity professionals and consider using legitimate decryption tools or restoring files from backups if available.
Verification
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