Ransomware Canaries

If you’re a computer user that’s found a strange-looking file on your system guiding you to this page, you’re in the right place! The file you found, and led you here is called a ransomware canary. 

It’s provided by a service called Huntress that was put in place by Agility. Similar to how miners used canaries in the coal mines to detect harmful gasses like carbon monoxide, Agility uses these files to detect a harmful type of computer virus called ransomware. If this file is changed, moved, or deleted, it will trigger an alert to the Huntress service, and by proxy Agility, notifying us of the possibility of a ransomware outbreak. It’s important that you do not modify the files or their location in any way. They are typically hidden, take up very little storage space, and not harmful in any way. They are small examples of common file types, such as documents or images. 

As a reference, the file should look similar to the one below. 

If you’re an end-user (and not a Agility employee), it’s best to reach out to Agility if you’d like more information. If you feel the file shouldn’t belong on your computer or is there without permission, please submit the file to our support department using the contact link at the bottom of the page. Be sure to include any details you can provide, and we’d be happy to assist you.