7ev3n ransomware has been updated with a brand-new variant. Now it bears the name 7ev3n-HONE$T and asks less money for payment. To remove this virus and see how you can try to decrypt your files, you should read the article to its end.
The ransomware again encrypts files by adding the .r5a extension to them. Ransom instructions for paying are also updated, and there is an option to give only half the sum for half of your files back.
Threat Summary
| Name | 7ev3n-HONE$T |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Short Description | The ransomware encrypts files and demands less money for their decryption than before. |
| Symptoms | Files are encrypted with the previous extension of the ransomware – .r5a. There are new instructions, which include promotions to try to make users pay up. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, File Sharing Networks |
| Detection Tool |
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss 7ev3n-HONE$T. |
| Data Recovery Tool | Windows Data Recovery by Stellar Phoenix Notice! This product scans your drive sectors to recover lost files and it may not recover 100% of the encrypted files, but only few of them, depending on the situation and whether or not you have reformatted your drive. |
7ev3n-HONE$T Ransomware – Spread
The 7ev3n-HONE$T ransomware could spread via few ways. Probably the most effective of these ways is by using spam emails that have malicious attachments. Opening the attachment will infect your computer. Malware code may be inside the email’s body, and just opening the email might be enough to get infected.
The virus might spread through other ways, such as social media and file sharing networks. They might distribute 7ev3n-HONE$T with attachments and files. The files or attachments can hide the virus, but pretend to be useful. Do not click on anything, especially if you have landed on an untrusted website.
7ev3n-HONE$T Ransomware – More Information
7ev3n-HONE$T is the new name of the ransomware virus. You can read about its past variant – 7ev3n Ransomware. If your computer got infected with it, the virus will try to evade detection and hide as some other program. The initial variant of this ransomware used the following names:
- UAC.exe
- A13-1.exe
- System.exe
The latest update might try to disguise itself as other processes. To boot everytime the Windows OS loads, the ransomware makes two registry values in the Windows Registry. As before they are both connected with the System.exe file, although other process names might be at play as well. The registry entries are the following:
→HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run/
and
→HKLM/Software/Microsoft/WindowsNT/CurrentVersion/Winlogon/Shell
7ev3n-HONE$T will create multiple copies of the text file with the ransom note, much like its predecessor.
This is a warning message that appears on your screen:
Here is what the newer ransom warning message states:
HI, YOUR PERSONAL FILES WERE ENCRYPTED BY 7ev3n-HONE$T
All your photos, media, documents, databases, MS Office and other important files were encrypted with strong algorithm.
References as an aid to take correct decision: (click on the link for opening)Decryption price 1.0 bitcoin (400 USD)
Unique bitcoin address for payment was generated only for you:
File decryption process is completely automated! The process is “PAY – DECRYPT”.
1. The list of encrypted files are available by click on “VIEW”.
2. You are able to decrypt 3-5 files free of charge. The choice is random. Therefor click on “TEST DECRYPT”.
3. You are able to decrypt the half (50%) of the files, therefor pay 0.6 BTC (240 USD) to unique address specified above the program will randomly choose the half of the files and decrypt them. Since then you can pay additional 0.6 BTC (240 USD) and the program will decrypt the rest of the files. If you pay the total amount (1.0) at one you get 20% discount.
4. Confirmation of one transaction takes 30 minutes or less. The process of files decryption and self-deleting is automated. Decryption process takes 1-3 hours based on the amount of encrypted files, decryption speed is 7 Gb / hr.
5. To get keys and start decrypting process after payment, please ensure that your internet-connection is active!
6. If you don’t know that are bitcoins, how to purchase and use them click on “How to Pay”.Don’t try to delete the program, any delete actions will be resulted in irrecoverable loss of your files. Don’t try to change file names and their extensions. Don’t enable Antivirus of Firewall software. The only way to recover access to your files is to pay for decryption process. Encryption algorithm is invincible. There are no third programs for this algorithm decryption and there would not be any.
Attention! you have to pay within 72 hours. If the payment is not performed, private key will be destroyed and files will be lost.
7ev3n-HONE$T ransomware will search for files to encrypt. Here are some of the file extensions it can encrypt:
→.jpg, .js, .mdb, .odt, .pdf, .doc, .txt, .xls, .xlsx, .xml, .docx, .html, .php, .png, .ppt, .pptx, .sql
Surely, there are more files the ransomware can encrypt. The file extension that is appended to all encrypted files is once more .r5a.
The 7ev3n-HONE$T ransomware creators try to be honest as the new sum for paying the ransom is just 1 BitCoin or 400 dollars. And that’s the preferable sum for most modern ransomware types. There are promotions for you to pay a bit more than half the money ($240) for half of your files unlocked, or paying the full sum within the first 72 hours and getting a 20% off ($300 total).
We advise NOT to pay the ransom as nothing can serve as a guarantee that you will get your files back or even if the virus makers will contact you back.
Shadow Volume Copies may also be erased from the Windows operating system. So, after removing this virus, you should see the 3rd section of the instructions guide provided below to see how you can try to restore your files.
Remove 7ev3n-HONE$T Ransomware and Restore .r5a Encrypted Files
If you got infected by the 7ev3n-HONE$T virus, you should have a little bit of experience in removing malware. The virus could keep spreading and continue to lock more files, so it is recommended for you to follow the step-by-step instructions below:
- Step 1
- Step 2
- Step 3
- Step 4
- Step 5
Step 1: Scan for 7ev3n-HONE$T with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall 7ev3n-HONE$T and related malware from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully delete most unwanted and malicious programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by 7ev3n-HONE$T 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 7ev3n-HONE$T there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Step 4: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove 7ev3n-HONE$T
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by 7ev3n-HONE$T.
Method 1: Use STOP Decrypter by Emsisoft.
Not all variants of this ransomware can be decrypted for free, but we have added the decryptor used by researchers that is often updated with the variants which become eventually decrypted. You can try and decrypt your files using the instructions below, but if they do not work, then unfortunately your variant of the ransomware virus is not decryptable.
Follow the instructions below to use the Emsisoft decrypter and decrypt your files for free. You can download the Emsisoft decryption tool linked here and then follow the steps provided below:
1 Right-click on the decrypter and click on Run as Administrator as shown below:
2. Agree with the license terms:
3. Click on "Add Folder" and then add the folders where you want files decrypted as shown underneath:
4. Click on "Decrypt" and wait for your files to be decoded.
Note: Credit for the decryptor goes to Emsisoft researchers who have made the breakthrough with this virus.
Method 2: Use data recovery software
Ransomware infections and 7ev3n-HONE$T 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.
7ev3n-HONE$T-FAQ
What is 7ev3n-HONE$T Ransomware?
7ev3n-HONE$T is a ransomware infection - the malicious software that enters your computer silently and blocks either access to the computer itself or encrypt your files.
Many ransomware viruses use sophisticated encryption algorithms to make your files inaccessible. The goal of ransomware infections is to demand that you pay a ransom payment to get access to your files back.
What Does 7ev3n-HONE$T 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 7ev3n-HONE$T Infect?
Via several ways.7ev3n-HONE$T 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 7ev3n-HONE$T is if you download a fake installer, crack or patch from a low reputation website or if you click on a virus link. Many users report getting a ransomware infection by downloading torrents.
How to Open .7ev3n-HONE$T files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .7ev3n-HONE$T files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted using a specific decryption key for the particular algorithm.
What to Do If a Decryptor Does Not Work?
Do not panic, and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your .7ev3n-HONE$T files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".7ev3n-HONE$T" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .7ev3n-HONE$T 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 7ev3n-HONE$T Virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti-malware program.
It will scan for and locate 7ev3n-HONE$T ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .7ev3n-HONE$T files.
Can I Report Ransomware to Authorities?
In case your computer got infected with a ransomware infection, you can report it to the local Police departments. It can help authorities worldwide track and determine the perpetrators behind the virus that has infected your computer.
Below, we have prepared a list with government websites, where you can file a report in case you are a victim of a cybercrime:
Cyber-security authorities, responsible for handling ransomware attack reports in different regions all over the world:
Germany - Offizielles Portal der deutschen Polizei
United States - IC3 Internet Crime Complaint Centre
United Kingdom - Action Fraud Police
France - Ministère de l'Intérieur
Italy - Polizia Di Stato
Spain - Policía Nacional
Netherlands - Politie
Poland - Policja
Portugal - Polícia Judiciária
Greece - Cyber Crime Unit (Hellenic Police)
India - Mumbai Police - CyberCrime Investigation Cell
Australia - Australian High Tech Crime Center
Reports may be responded to in different timeframes, depending on your local authorities.
Can You Stop Ransomware from Encrypting Your Files?
Yes, you can prevent ransomware. The best way to do this is to ensure your computer system is updated with the latest security patches, use a reputable anti-malware program and firewall, backup your important files frequently, and avoid clicking on malicious links or downloading unknown files.
Can 7ev3n-HONE$T 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 7ev3n-HONE$T Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this 7ev3n-HONE$T 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 7ev3n-HONE$T 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.
As a site that has been dedicated to providing free removal instructions for ransomware and malware since 2014, SensorsTechForum’s recommendation is to only pay attention to trustworthy sources.
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- Always check "About Us" web page.
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