Malware coders are getting innovative in the delivery method of their attacks. A new strain of ransomware called Popcorn Time infects and encrypts user data, and just like most ransomware, it holds it hostage until the user can pay the required ransom. However, Popcorn Time is offering infected users an option to decrypt their files without paying the needed ransom, as long as they spread the malware to at least two users.
Popcorn Time offers infected users two options to decrypt their files. First is to pay the ransom which is usually one bitcoin, roughly around $772 at the time of this writing.
However, Popcorn Time has another option. The developers described it as "the nasty way." According to Extreme Tech, to have their files decrypted, users need to pass a link of the malware to other users and "If two or more people install this file and pay, we will decrypt your files for free."
According to The Guardian, the Popcorn Time ransomware was discovered by MalwareHunterTeam security researchers. The team investigating the malware said that it is still under development. Once finished, its innovative distribution method could turn it into one of the most destructive malware to date.
Security experts usually advise infected users to pay the needed ransom to recover their files. However, some argue that this money will just fund the operation of the organization behind it.
It is important to note that paying the ransom is not a guarantee that the encrypted files will be recovered. There are some malware that appear to be a ransomware, but in reality, it had deleted the encrypted files without the user knowing it. There are also reported incidents that the malware operator just demands more ransom after the infected user paid the initial amount.