The university has shelled out $16,000 to get back its original data. Meanwhile in a development that could help the victims of ransomware attacks, hackers of TeslaCrypt have released the keys with which the victims can recover their original data.

Ransomware attacks are becoming increasingly more prevalent. Its latest victim – the University of Calgary.

According to a statement released by the university, the institution’s computer systems were affected by the ransomware for the last ten days. Although its IT team worked to remedy the problem, the problem was resolved only when the University shelled out $16,000 ($20,000 Canadian) to recover its data, which incidentally doesn’t come with a guarantee.

“Ransomware attacks and the payment of ransoms are becoming increasingly common around the world,” wrote Linda Dalgetty, the University’s VP of Finance and Services in her statement.

It reads as, “The university is now in the process of assessing and evaluating the decryption keys. The actual process of decryption is time-consuming and must be performed with care. It is important to note that decryption keys do not automatically restore all systems or guarantee the recovery of all data. A great deal of work is still required by IT to ensure all affected systems are operational again, and this process will take time.”

The University has said it is working with Calgary Police to investigate this matter. Typically, investigations into such hacks have amounted to naught.

As for shelling out the ransom, Dalgetty said, “We are conducting world class research daily and we don’t know what we don’t know in terms of who’s been impacted and the last thing we want to do is lose someone’s life’s work.”

In another case of a ransomware attack, a Heart Hospital in Kansas, paid a “a small amount” only to have the hacker turn around and ask for even more cash.

In May, a ransomware attack was even launched against the United States Congress. That hacking attempt was luckily averted.

In another development that thankfully shows hackers in a rare good light, the coders of the original “uncrackable” TeslaCrypt ransomware, have released the private keys which allows those affected to retrieve their data.