Article created to assist with information and instructions on how to remove SADStory ransomware and try to decrypt .sad encrypted files.
A new ransomware written in Python has been reported to encrypt the files on the computers infected by it and then leave them with the .sad file extension. The files cannot be opened after encryption is complete and the virus leaves behind a SADStory_README_FOR_DECRYPT.txt file which is a ransom note with instructions, extorting users to pay a ransom fee in 96 hours. If a ransom is not paid, the cyber-criminals threaten to destroy any decryption possibility. If you have become a victim of the .sad ransomware virus, we recommend reading the following article to remove it and restore files encrypted by this virus.
Threat Summary
| Name |
SADStory |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Short Description | The malware encrypts users files using a strong encryption algorithm, making direct decryption possible only via a unique decryption key available to the cyber-criminals. |
| Symptoms | The user may witness ransom notes and “instructions”, called SADStory_README_FOR_DECRYPT.txt linking to contacting the cyber-criminals. Changed file names and the file-extension .sad has been used. |
| Distribution Method | Via an Exploit kit, Dll file attack, malicious JavaScript or a drive-by download of the malware itself in an obfuscated manner. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
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| User Experience | Join our forum to Discuss SADStory. |
| 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. |
.Sad Ransomware Virus – How Does It Infect
For the infection process of this ransomware to succeed, the cyber-criminals behind it may use more than one distribution techniques. One of the techniques that might be used by the creators of the virus is to utilize a database of fake e-mails in order to send out massive spam messages to victims. These messages may be automatically sent out via spam bot that controls the sender accounts.
The e-mails sent distributing SADStory ransomware may aim to convince the victims into opening a malicious e-mail attachment or clicking on a web link. To do this, multiple convincing statements may be explained, that raise importance. The spammers may trick you that a purchase has been made on your name and they may even use the name of your e-mail account to further increase the trust and likelihood of you opening the attachment. The attachments are usually pretending to be invoice files as well as different files that are account activity documents and confirmation letters.
Besides this form of spam, there may be several other methods by which the .sad file virus may cause an infection:
- Via fake installers uploaded on shady websites.
- If corrupted game patches or cracks are uploaded from hacked torrent accounts on legitimate torrent websites.
- By malicious browser redirects caused by PUAs(Potentially Unwatned Applications) installed suspiciously on the victim PC.
Whatever the case may be, once a victim clicks on a malicious infection object, the virus may be activated in an obfuscated mode, without being detected. Then, shortly after, a connection may be made to one or more of the following hosts:
- wayofwines.com/ReadMe.php
- www.lilywho.ie
- ow.ly/{customURL}
After this, the payload of the .sad file virus may be downloaded on the computer of the user. The payload consists of the following files:
- mw.exe located in the %TEMP% directory
- {random name}.pdf.exe
- ReadMe-how_to_get_free_office365-{uniqueID}.pdf.exe
- _SAD STORY FILES_
The dropped files may be located in multiple Windows directories such as:
- %AppData%
- %Local%
- %Temp%
- %Roaming%
- %LocalRow%
- %Documents%
.Sad File Virus – Infection Activity
After infecting the computer, the SADStory ransomware may begin to shut down certain system processes on the infected machine. Then, the virus may also run some commands in Windows Command prompt. The commands may change certain settings on the infected machine, allowing file encryption to commence while uninterrupted. Some of those commands usually are:
→ process call create “cmd.exe /c
vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all /quiet
bcdedit.exe /set {default} recoveryenabled no
bcdedit.exe /set {default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures
In addition to modifying settings via the Windows Command prompt, the virus may also change settings by adding registry values with custom data in them in some Windows Registry Sub-keys. Among the attacked sub-keys may be the following:
→ HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop\
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
After having done this, the virus may also drop it’s ransom note in the %Startup% directory of Windows, allowing it to automatically open on system startup. The note is named SADStory_README_FOR_DECRYPT.txt and has the following content embedded within it:
The e-mail address used for contact, interestingly enough is the same address that is being utilized for the previously released Mireware and KimcilWare ransomware viruses.
SADStory Ransomware – Encryption Process
For the encryption process, the .sad file virus may cause a system restart by displaying a false error message. After the restart, the virus may be set to append one or more encryption algorithms in a pre-configured encryption mode. It usually looks for the widely used file types such as:
- Documents.
- Images.
- Videos.
- Audio files.
- Database files.
Among the file types encrypted by the .Sad ransomware virus may be the following:
“PNG .PSD .PSPIMAGE .TGA .THM .TIF .TIFF .YUV .AI .EPS .PS .SVG .INDD .PCT .PDF .XLR .XLS .XLSX .ACCDB .DB .DBF .MDB .PDB .SQL .APK .APP .BAT .CGI .COM .EXE .GADGET .JAR .PIF .WSF .DEM .GAM .NES .ROM .SAV CAD Files .DWG .DXF GIS Files .GPX .KML .KMZ .ASP .ASPX .CER .CFM .CSR .CSS .HTM .HTML .JS .JSP .PHP .RSS .XHTML. DOC .DOCX .LOG .MSG .ODT .PAGES .RTF .TEX .TXT .WPD .WPS .CSV .DAT .GED .KEY .KEYCHAIN .PPS .PPT .PPTX ..INI .PRF Encoded Files .HQX .MIM .UUE .7Z .CBR .DEB .GZ .PKG .RAR .RPM .SITX .TAR.GZ .ZIP .ZIPX .BIN .CUE .DMG .ISO .MDF .TOAST .VCD SDF .TAR .TAX2014 .TAX2015 .VCF .XML Audio Files .AIF .IFF .M3U .M4A .MID .MP3 .MPA .WAV .WMA Video Files .3G2 .3GP .ASF .AVI .FLV .M4V .MOV .MP4 .MPG .RM .SRT .SWF .VOB .WMV 3D .3DM .3DS .MAX .OBJ R.BMP .DDS .GIF .JPG ..CRX .PLUGIN .FNT .FON .OTF .TTF .CAB .CPL .CUR .DESKTHEMEPACK .DLL .DMP .DRV .ICNS .ICO .LNK .SYS .CFG”Source:fileinfo.com
For the encryption process, bytes of the files which are original are replaced with the same information, but in the encrypted algorithm’s symbols. This makes the files no longer able to be opened after it. To the files is also appended a file extension, distinctive to the SADStory virus – .sad. They may look like the example image below:
The virus may then connect to a remote host and send unique decryption keys to the cyber-criminals behind it. The virus also may remain active on the infected computer and delete a random file from the infected computer every 6 hours.
Remove SADStory Ransomware and Restore .sad Encrypted Files
Befoe the removal of SADStory ransomware, the first thing we advise you to do is to back up the encrypted files immediately after the infection. This is primarily because the virus deletes a file every 6 hours.
Then, to remove the .sad file virus, recommendations are to follow the removal instructions under this article. They are designed to help isolate and delete files belonging to this virus in methodological order that is advisable. Also, if you do not have the experience in following the manual instructions, malware researchers strongly advise using an advanced anti-malware program which will automatically take care of the removal process for you and protect the computer in the future as well.
After the removal of the .sad file ransomware is done, it is time to think on what are your alternatives to get back the files, instead of having to pay the ransom. We have posted several suggestions on methods with which you can recover your files, located in step “2. Restore files encrypted by SADStory” below. These may not be 100 percent effective, but they might also help recover some encoded files. In the meantime we also advise following this web page, because we will update it as soon as malware researchers have a breakthrough regarding free decryption.
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 SADStory with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall SADStory 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 SADStory 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 SADStory 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 SADStory
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by SADStory.
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 SADStory 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.
SADStory-FAQ
What is SADStory Ransomware?
SADStory 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 SADStory 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 SADStory Infect?
Via several ways.SADStory 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 SADStory 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 .SADStory files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .SADStory 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 .SADStory files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".SADStory" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .SADStory 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 SADStory 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 SADStory ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .SADStory 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 SADStory 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 SADStory Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this SADStory 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 SADStory 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.
How to recognize trustworthy sources:
- Always check "About Us" web page.
- Profile of the content creator.
- Make sure that real people are behind the site and not fake names and profiles.
- Verify Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter personal profiles.