.horsedeal file extension is placed on all of your files? .horsedeal Virus File is also known as Horsedeal ransomware which locks files on a computer and demands money to be paid as a ransom for unlocking them.
Horsedeal Ransomware (.horsedeal Virus File)
Horsedeal or otherwise known as .horsedeal Virus File is a ransomware type virus. It encrypts files by appending the .horsedeal extension to them, making them inaccessible. All encrypted files will receive the new extension as a secondary one. The Horsedeal ransomware drops a ransom note, which gives instructions to victims on how they can allegedly restore their data by paying a ransom fee.
Horsedeal Ransomware Virus
Horsedeal Ransomware will encrypt all types of files such as audio, video, pictures, backups, banking data and other personal user files found on a compromised computer system.
Threat Summary
| Name | Horsedeal Virus |
| File Extension | .horsedeal |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | The ransomware encrypts files on your computer system and demands a ransom to be paid to allegedly recover them. |
| Symptoms | The Horsedeal ransomware will encrypt your files by appending the .horsedeal extension to them, along with a unique identification number placing the new .horsedeal extension as a secondary. |
| Ransom Demanding Note | #Decryption#.txt |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Horsedeal Virus. |
On January 20 a new security report has been made available to us giving further details about the latest versions of the .horsedeal ransomware. It appears that the new iteration has been developed by a very experienced criminal or hacker group as it leverages one of the most dangerous vulnerabilities of late which is tracked in CVE-2020-0601. This is a exploit that can overcome the encryption process used by the Microsoft Windows operating system — the consequence of this action will be that that malware will appear to the system as legitimate apps.
A complete analysis of the latest versions of the .horsedeal virus reveals that the released malware include a very advanced infection sequence. One of the dangerous aspects associated with infections of this type is the fact the ransomware includes a MBR overwrite feature — it will replace the original boot code with a virus one making it almost impossible to effectively restore the machines using manual methods alone. This is also connected to the persistent installation mechanism — the malware code will be launched every time the computer is powered on.
One of the malicious actions that are part of the infection sequence is the system modification which encompasses several different areas:
- System Configuration Modification — The engine can easily disable the system configuration and restore tools by making the necessary changes in the configuration settings used by the operating system.
- Process Control — The virus engine will take advantage of its ability to interact with active processes and obtain administrative privileges. This will allow it to monitor, hijack and create new processes of its own. The consequences of this action will mean that the hackers will have access to the information and data which are displayed by the active programs.
- Files Operations — The virus can create, edit and delete data found on the hard drive of the infected machine. This can include backups, archives, shadow volume copies and restore files.
- Security Bypass — The main engine of the .horsedeal virus has the ability to look for information regarding installed applications and services that can block or remove the ransomware. This usually acts against firewalls, anti-virus programs, virtual machine hosts and sandbox environments.
.horsedeal Virus File might spread its infection via a payload dropper, which initiates the malicious script for this ransomware. The virus might also distribute its payload file on social media and file-sharing services. Freeware which is found on the Web can be presented as helpful also be hiding the malicious script for the cryptovirus. Read the tips for ransomware prevention from our forum.
Horsedeal or better known as the .horsedeal Virus File is ransomware much like the HORSELIKER ransomware. It will encrypts your files and shows ransomware instructions inside a ransom note called #Decryption#.txt:
Beside the instructions you can see in the above image, there is a note that states the following:
All your files have been ENCRYPTED!!!
Write to our ICQ https://icq.im/bigbosshorse
Or contact us via jabber – bigbosshorse@xmpp.jp
Jabber client installation instructions:
Download the jabber (Pidgin) client from https://pidgin.im/download/windows/
After installation, the Pidgin client will prompt you to create a new account.
Click – Add
In the -Protocol field, select XMPP
In -Username – come up with any name
In the field -domain – enter any jabber-server, there are a lot of them, for example – exploit.im
Create a password
At the bottom, put a tick -Create account
Click add
If you selected -domain – exploit.im, then a new window should appear in which you will need to re-enter your data:
User
password
You will need to follow the link to the captcha (there you will see the characters that you need to enter in the field below)
If you don’t understand our Pidgin client installation instructions, you can find many installation tutorials on youtube – https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=pidgin+jabber+install
If you have not received a response from us then we may have technical problems and please write to us using Jaber here bigbosshorse@xmpp.jp or on icq
Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.
tell your unique ID
kTRjw264lzZ7JC7gzkXghgEkTTiH0T/lArdIOOwwt0xG7vTzu8QYsiuWpvvXg1OH0jg
You should NOT under any circumstances pay any ransom sum.
The extortionists want you to pay a ransom for the alleged restoration of your files, same as with a lot of ransomware viruses. .horsedeal Virus File ransomware could make entries in the Windows Registry to achieve persistence, and could launch or repress processes in a Windows system. All encrypted will receive the .horsedeal extension alongside a random generated one. That extension will be placed as a secondary one to each file and look something like .horsedeal. Audio, video, image files as well as documents, backups and banking data can be encrypted by the ransomware.
The .horsedeal Virus File could be set to erase all the Shadow Volume Copies from the Windows operating system with the help of the following command:
→vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all /Quiet
If your computer device was infected with this ransomware and your files are locked, read on through to find out how you could potentially restore your files back to normal.
Remove .horsedeal Virus File
If your computer got infected with the .horsedeal Virus File, you should have a bit of experience in removing malware. You should get rid of this ransomware as quickly as possible before it can have the chance to spread further and infect other computers. You should remove the ransomware and follow the step-by-step instructions guide provided below.
Tsetso Mihailov
Tsetso Mihailov is a tech-geek and loves everything that is tech-related, while observing the latest news surrounding technologies. He has worked in IT before, as a system administrator and a computer repair technician. Dealing with malware since his teens, he is determined to spread word about the latest threats revolving around computer security.
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Step 1: Scan for Horsedeal Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall Horsedeal Virus 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 Horsedeal Virus 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 Horsedeal Virus 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 Horsedeal Virus
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Horsedeal Virus.
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 Horsedeal Virus 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.
Horsedeal Virus-FAQ
What is Horsedeal Virus Ransomware?
Horsedeal Virus 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 Horsedeal Virus 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 Horsedeal Virus Infect?
Via several ways.Horsedeal Virus 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 Horsedeal Virus 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 .Horsedeal Virus files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .Horsedeal Virus 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 .Horsedeal Virus files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".Horsedeal Virus" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Horsedeal Virus 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 Horsedeal Virus 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 Horsedeal Virus ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Horsedeal Virus 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 Horsedeal Virus 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 Horsedeal Virus Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Horsedeal Virus 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 Horsedeal Virus 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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