What is Ishtar Ransomware?

Ishtar is a computer virus that encrypts your files and demands a ransom for their decryption. This type of malware is hazardous because it can completely lock you out of your computer, making it impossible to access your files without paying the ransom.

History

This ransomware was first discovered in early 2017. We believe it to be a variant of the Locky Ransomware, which was one of the most prevalent pieces of malware at that time.

How does Ishtar Ransomware work?

Ishtar works by encrypting your files using a robust encryption algorithm. Once your files have been encrypted, you will no longer be able to access them. The Ishtar Ransomware will then display a ransom note informing you that your files have been encrypted and demanding a payment of 1.5 Bitcoin for their decryption. But the ransom amount may differ depending on the Ishtar Ransomware version. The Ishtar Ransomware creators will also provide instructions on how to make the payment. They may also threaten to release your personal information or delete your files if you don’t pay the ransom. Also, they will give you a time limit to make the payment, typically 72 hours.We do not recommend paying the ransom as there is no guarantee that you will receive the decryption key. There have been many cases where people have paid the ransom but never received the decryption key.

What encryption algorithm does Ishtar Ransomware use?

Ishtar uses the RSA-2048 encryption algorithm.

What types of files does Ishtar encrypt?

Ishtar Ransomware will target all types of files, including documents, images, videos, and more. It will append the “.ishtar” extension to the encrypted files.

Protection

There are several things you can do to protect yourself from Ishtar Ransomware and other types of malware:- Keep your operating system and software up to date: By keeping your software up to date, you can close security vulnerabilities that malware authors can exploit.- Use a reputable antivirus program: Antivirus programs can detect and remove Ishtar Ransomware before it has a chance to encrypt your files.- Use caution when opening email attachments: Attackers often spread Ishtar Ransomware via email attachments. Avoid opening email attachments from unknown senders.- Use caution when downloading files from the Internet: They also spread Ishtar Ransomware via malicious websites that host infected files. Avoid downloading files from untrustworthy websites.

What should you do?

If you have been infected with Ishtar Ransomware, you should first disconnect your computer from the Internet to prevent the Ishtar Ransomware from encrypting any more files. Then, run a reputable antivirus program to remove Ishtar Ransomware and other malware from your computer. Finally, you can try using file recovery software to recover your files. But we recommend backing up your files regularly to avoid losing them in the event of an attack.

Is there a public decryption tool?

No, there is no public Ishtar Ransomware decryption tool. However, you can try using file recovery software to recover your files. We built SalvageData data recovery software to help you.

Contact a data recovery service

You can contact a data recovery service if you can’t decrypt your files using file recovery software.SalvageData offers Ishtar Ransomware decryption services. SalvageData has a team of experienced malware analysts who can decrypt your files. Contact us today for a free consultation. We are ready to help you 24/7/365.When you contact SalvageData, a case manager will be assigned to you. The case manager will ask you questions about the Ishtar Ransomware attack and gather information about your case. Then, our team of malware analysts will analyze your case and provide you with a price quote for our Ishtar Ransomware decryption services. If you decide to move forward, we will begin working on decrypting your files right away. We work quickly and efficiently to minimize the disruption to your business.