Emsisoft is an
anti-malware and
cybersecurity software and consulting company founded in
Austria in 2003 by Christian Mairoll. The company makes anti-malware software and
decryption tools used by companies and individuals to help them recover computer files encrypted in ransomware attacks. It also tracks and generates studies on ransomware attacks. Mairoll, who is CEO, relocated to rural New Zealand in 2014, moving Emsisoft’s headquarters to the country, while its employees across Europe, Asia and the
United States remained remote. The company’s decryption tools were also used to help resolve the
Kaseya VSA ransomware attack,
DarkSide and BlackMatter ransomware attacks against dozens of companies across the U.S., Europe and Britain in 2021.
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. 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. 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. == Technology ==