Ransomware virus, named after a symbol of evil – Hitler has be
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en discovered by malware analyst at AVG. The virus, although still in development can force crash the computer of affected users plus cause BSOD as well as lock the screen displaying a 1-hour deadline to pay the ransom. The virus threatens users that their files have been encrypted. However, it may directly delete them after the deadline has expired, according to researchers. Not only this, but this virus also aims to get users to purchase a Vodafone card for 25 Euros and add its code in a text box which may or may not be sent to cyber-criminals that then may extract the funds from it.
Threat Summary
| Name |
Hitler-Ransowmare |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Short Description | Hitler-Ransomware first removes the extensions of all files in the %UserProfile% folder. Then it displays a lockscreen with a deadline and after the deadline causes a BSOD and restarts the computer after which deletes the files. |
| Symptoms | The user may witness a lockscreen with Hitler’s image and a deadline to pay 25 euros in an hour. |
| Distribution Method | Via an Exploit kit, Trojan Droppers, JavaScript or by a malicous .exe, directly situated on the computer. |
| Detection Tool |
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Malware Removal Tool
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| User Experience | Join our forum to Discuss Hitler-Ransomware. |
| Data Recovery Tool | Windows Data Recovery by Stellar Phoenix Notice! This product scans your drive sectors to recover lost files and it may not recover 100% of the encrypted files, but only few of them, depending on the situation and whether or not you have reformatted your drive. |
How Does Hitler-Ransomware Spread?
To infect its victims, the developers of Hitler-Ransomware may release it as an e-mail attachment in spam messages. The file may be an obfuscated executable or a .js file pretending to be a .PDF document or a Microsoft Office file. Once users click on it, Hitler-Ransomware may drop its malicious files onto the user’s computer.
Besides this being the most common method of spreading ransomware, users may also see malicious URLs posted In the e-mail’s body. The URLs may redirect to web links that can cause a drive-by-download without the user noticing it and infect the computer.
Hitler Ransomware – Technical Overview
As soon as a Hitler-Ransomware infection occurs, researchers report seeing the following files being dropped on infected users’ PCs:
%Temp%\{a folder name}.tmp\
%Temp%\{a folder name}..tmp\chrst.exe
%Temp%\{a folder name}.tmp\ErOne.vbs
%Temp%\{a folder name}.tmp\firefox32.exe
After this has been done, the virus then immediately locks the screen of the infected computer, displaying its demands, which are the following:
Do you decrypt your Files?
Buy a Vodafone Card (25 Euros) and add the code in the TextBox!
Cash Code(25 Euros):
Your Files delete in (timer)”
What is characteristic for the Hitler-Ransomware is that it does not encode the files of the infected computer. What Hitler-Ransomware does is it erases the file extensions of all the files that are located in:
The virus, then displays it’s lock screen which is the following:
After one hour time, it eliminates the important for Windows csrss.exe process which immediately then causes a BSOD (Blue Screen of Death). The consequence of this is system reboot:
After this has been done, the ransomware has a .bat module, named firefox32.bat, that has a script which executes the following commands:
→@echo off
cd %userprofile%
del *.* /S /Q
This very small script is very simple as well as effective – it aims to directly delete all the files on the infected computer. Researchers are worried that this type of ransomware may begin to surface more and more often since it will make the users pay the ransom with its short deadline.
Hitler-Ransomware – Protect Yourself and Remove It Completely
If you are interested in knowing how to protect yourself from this ransomware, we advise you to disable automatic restart, because this is what it causes to the computer. You can do this by following the instructions below:
→1. Go ahead and click on the “Start” button.
2. Go to “Run”
3. In the Run window type “sysdm.cpl” after which hit Enter
4. Go to the “Advanced” tab
5. In it click on the “Startup and Recovery” button.
6. Remove the check from the “Automatically Restart” option after which click on the Ok button.
7. Click on Ok again to exit this app and then close the CP window.
8. Restart your computer for the changes you have made to become effective.
After disabling auto restart, in case you get infected by the virus, you should have two options:
- Boot your computer into Safe Mode to isolate Hitler-Ransomware as a third-party app and then remove it using the instructions below.(The riskier variant).
- Boot your computer from a Live OS which can unlock your drive and allow you to copy your files and later on add file extensions to them.
Whatever your choice may be, be advised that even if you turn off the computer after getting infected with this ransomware, you should not turn it on to allow it to boot into Windows because the ransomware has scripts configured to delete the files automatically. This is why we advise you to follow the instructions below if you have decided to boot into Safe Mode and manually locate and delete the files reported to be associated with Hitler-Ransomware in this article. In case you feel uncomfortable with doing this manually, we advise you to take the faster more automatic approach and delete the virus using an advanced anti-malware program, like shown in the instructions below. But bear in mind that before deleting this virus you need to make copies of your files somewhere safe.
In case this virus has already hit you and deleted your files, we advise you to follow the steps in section “3. Restore files deleted by Hitler-Ransomware” to try and restore deleted files using data recovery software.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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Step 1: Scan for Hitler-Ransowmare with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall Hitler-Ransowmare and related malware from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully delete most unwanted and malicious programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Hitler-Ransowmare on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Hitler-Ransowmare there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Step 4: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Hitler-Ransowmare
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Hitler-Ransowmare.
Method 1: Use STOP Decrypter by Emsisoft.
Not all variants of this ransomware can be decrypted for free, but we have added the decryptor used by researchers that is often updated with the variants which become eventually decrypted. You can try and decrypt your files using the instructions below, but if they do not work, then unfortunately your variant of the ransomware virus is not decryptable.
Follow the instructions below to use the Emsisoft decrypter and decrypt your files for free. You can download the Emsisoft decryption tool linked here and then follow the steps provided below:
1 Right-click on the decrypter and click on Run as Administrator as shown below:
2. Agree with the license terms:
3. Click on "Add Folder" and then add the folders where you want files decrypted as shown underneath:
4. Click on "Decrypt" and wait for your files to be decoded.
Note: Credit for the decryptor goes to Emsisoft researchers who have made the breakthrough with this virus.
Method 2: Use data recovery software
Ransomware infections and Hitler-Ransowmare aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Simply click on the link and on the website menus on the top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Hitler-Ransowmare-FAQ
What is Hitler-Ransowmare Ransomware?
Hitler-Ransowmare is a ransomware infection - the malicious software that enters your computer silently and blocks either access to the computer itself or encrypt your files.
Many ransomware viruses use sophisticated encryption algorithms to make your files inaccessible. The goal of ransomware infections is to demand that you pay a ransom payment to get access to your files back.
What Does Hitler-Ransowmare Ransomware Do?
Ransomware in general is a malicious software that is designed to block access to your computer or files until a ransom is paid.
Ransomware viruses can also damage your system, corrupt data and delete files, resulting in the permanent loss of important files.
How Does Hitler-Ransowmare Infect?
Via several ways.Hitler-Ransowmare Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing emails, containing virus attachment. This attachment is usually masked as an important document, like an invoice, bank document or even a plane ticket and it looks very convincing to users.
Another way you may become a victim of Hitler-Ransowmare is if you download a fake installer, crack or patch from a low reputation website or if you click on a virus link. Many users report getting a ransomware infection by downloading torrents.
How to Open .Hitler-Ransowmare files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .Hitler-Ransowmare files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted using a specific decryption key for the particular algorithm.
What to Do If a Decryptor Does Not Work?
Do not panic, and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your .Hitler-Ransowmare files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".Hitler-Ransowmare" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Hitler-Ransowmare files.
These methods are in no way 100% guaranteed that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How To Get Rid of Hitler-Ransowmare Virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti-malware program.
It will scan for and locate Hitler-Ransowmare ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Hitler-Ransowmare files.
Can I Report Ransomware to Authorities?
In case your computer got infected with a ransomware infection, you can report it to the local Police departments. It can help authorities worldwide track and determine the perpetrators behind the virus that has infected your computer.
Below, we have prepared a list with government websites, where you can file a report in case you are a victim of a cybercrime:
Cyber-security authorities, responsible for handling ransomware attack reports in different regions all over the world:
Germany - Offizielles Portal der deutschen Polizei
United States - IC3 Internet Crime Complaint Centre
United Kingdom - Action Fraud Police
France - Ministère de l'Intérieur
Italy - Polizia Di Stato
Spain - Policía Nacional
Netherlands - Politie
Poland - Policja
Portugal - Polícia Judiciária
Greece - Cyber Crime Unit (Hellenic Police)
India - Mumbai Police - CyberCrime Investigation Cell
Australia - Australian High Tech Crime Center
Reports may be responded to in different timeframes, depending on your local authorities.
Can You Stop Ransomware from Encrypting Your Files?
Yes, you can prevent ransomware. The best way to do this is to ensure your computer system is updated with the latest security patches, use a reputable anti-malware program and firewall, backup your important files frequently, and avoid clicking on malicious links or downloading unknown files.
Can Hitler-Ransowmare Ransomware Steal Your Data?
Yes, in most cases ransomware will steal your information. It is a form of malware that steals data from a user's computer, encrypts it, and then demands a ransom in order to decrypt it.
In many cases, the malware authors or attackers will threaten to delete the data or publish it online unless the ransom is paid.
Can Ransomware Infect WiFi?
Yes, ransomware can infect WiFi networks, as malicious actors can use it to gain control of the network, steal confidential data, and lock out users. If a ransomware attack is successful, it could lead to a loss of service and/or data, and in some cases, financial losses.
Should I Pay Ransomware?
No, you should not pay ransomware extortionists. Paying them only encourages criminals and does not guarantee that the files or data will be restored. The better approach is to have a secure backup of important data and be vigilant about security in the first place.
What Happens If I Don't Pay Ransom?
If you don't pay the ransom, the hackers may still have access to your computer, data, or files and may continue to threaten to expose or delete them, or even use them to commit cybercrimes. In some cases, they may even continue to demand additional ransom payments.
Can a Ransomware Attack Be Detected?
Yes, ransomware can be detected. Anti-malware software and other advanced security tools can detect ransomware and alert the user when it is present on a machine.
It is important to stay up-to-date on the latest security measures and to keep security software updated to ensure ransomware can be detected and prevented.
Do Ransomware Criminals Get Caught?
Yes, ransomware criminals do get caught. Law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, Interpol and others have been successful in tracking down and prosecuting ransomware criminals in the US and other countries. As ransomware threats continue to increase, so does the enforcement activity.
About the Hitler-Ransowmare Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Hitler-Ransowmare how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific malware and restore your encrypted files.
How did we conduct the research on this ransomware?
Our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, and as such, we receive daily updates on the latest malware and ransomware definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the Hitler-Ransowmare ransomware threat is backed with VirusTotal and the NoMoreRansom project.
To better understand the ransomware threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
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