You read the headline correctly. It has been discovered that there is indeed PUBG malware that locks your files unless you play the game for a whole hour. While most malware just wants to steal your hard-earned cash, this one just really wants you to play PUBG. Maybe the creator just really hates Fortnite, that’s the only thing it could be, couldn’t it? Joking aside, it doesn’t sound real when you say it aloud, does it?
Malware is always a tricky business. Often it will lock your files down completely, rendering you helpless as you flail around trying to figure out how to get rid of it for good. You’ll search and search, but the message from the malware creator is never too far behind to remind you that one way to get rid of the malware for good is to fork over some cash. It’s frustrating and terrible, yet this PUBG malware is almost friendly in how it works. Instead of demanding cash it simply says this: “your files is encrypted [sic] by PUBG Ransomeware! But don’t worry! It is not that hard to unlock it. I don’t want money! Just play PUBG 1Hours [sic]!”
Thankfully, as confirmed by Kotaku, the PUBG malware is easy to skirt around if you know how. “The ransomware only encrypts users’ desktop files and unlocks them after three minutes of a game of Battlegrounds as opposed to the stated hour.” Which is a relief for players who just want to scram and play some Fortnite instead, but even then it’s a pretty annoying to have to go through that just to get away from a malware that nobody is really sure is a joke or not. Thankfully it comes with an unlock code, most likely for players who just can’t be bothered to go through the whole process of starting the game.
Though we’re still unsure if the malware is a joke or not, it can’t be denied that the existence of it will lead to many chuckles from fans who are aware of the rivalry between PUBG and Fortnite.
