What is Bec Ransomware Virus?
Bec is malicious software categorized as ransomware. Ransomware programs like Bec are developed with the main purpose to extort ransom fees from victims. If you are a victim of Bec ransomware, then you may see all your valuable files as broken files renamed with the .bec extension. Sadly, all .bec files are not just renamed but encrypted with a sophisticated cypher algorithm. For their recovery, you need to obtain the unique decryption key generated during the encryption process. This key cannot be found on the infected system, it is possessed by malware authors who request a hefty ransom sum in exchange.
If you are one of Bec’s victims then keep reading this article to learn more about the specifics of this cryptovirus and the process of its complete removal.
Bec Summary
| Name | Bec |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Malicious Extensions | An ID number, an email address, .bec |
| Short Description | A data locker ransomware that utilizes strong cihper algorithm to encrypt personal files stored on the infected computer. It demands a ransom for a decryption solution. |
| Symptoms | Important files are locked and renamed. Their names are the same but their extensions differ from the original. Corrupted files remain unusable until their code is reverted back to original state. |
| Ransom Message | !!!HOW_TO_DECRYPT!!!.txt |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Corrupted Websites, Software Installers |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
How Does Bec Ransomware Infect PCs?
Like a typical ransomware infection, Bec virus aims to access a computer operating without showing any suspicious signs that may help users detect it and stop it on time. The techniques that may be hiding its activation files are well-known and the most popular one is malspam. Malicious emails that feature corrupted files and links to hacked sites are the preferred distribution method by hackers. Typically, spam emails part of campaigns distributing malware use the names of legitimate services and well-known brands in order to make users more prone to interact with infected components.
Various bogus sites may be set to trigger malicious scripts that download the ransomware on computer systems automatically. The nasty process could happen in the background of all other running processes. Except in spam emails, you may find links to corrupted sites being shared on social media sites and forums. Additionally, different torrent files may be packed with the ransomware payload.
What Does Bec Ransomware Do?
The virus originates from the ransomware family Sojusz. Bec ransomware has one sole purpose and it is to fund hackers’ operations. That’s why it infects computer systems to block access to personal files and then it forces victims to pay a ransom fee for the recovery of the files. Locked files could be recognized by the extension .bec. Before this extension, the ransomware adds an ID number and an email address used by hackers for communicating with victims.
Before the main stage – data encryption, Bec ransomware plagues the settings of essential system components. Bec virus runs lots of malicious files that implement significant changes. Changes leave the infected system extremely vulnerable to future malware attacks. That’s why they should be fixed as soon as possible.
The manual detection of this ransomware threat may be a difficult task as the threat manipulates system files and use them as a disguise. It can hook up to running apps and services in order to obtain information about the current system profile as well. If it manages to obtain administrative rights, it can manipulate a lot of other system functionalities.
The ransomware can also collect sensitive details and transfer them to remote servers by using the help of an information-gathering module. Hackers may misuse harvested data for financial abuses and future malware attack campaigns.
A basic Trojan module may also be used as part of the infection. If this happens, the virus may gather even more data and enable crooks to establish a remote connection.
At last, the virus drops its ransom message to inform victims about its presence and the impact it has just caused. The message aims to urge victims to contact cybercriminals. All victims of Bec ransomware may find the file !!!HOW_TO_DECRYPT!!!.txt on their infected machines. This file informs the following:
All your valiable data has been encrypted!
–
Hello! Sorry, but we have inform you that your order has been blocked due to the issue of securities. Make sure your data is not blocked.
All your valuable files were encrypted with strong encryption algorithms AES-256 + RSA-2048 + CHACHA and renamed. You can read about these algorithms in Google.
Your unique encryption key is stored securely on our server and your data can be decrypted quickly and securely.
–
We can prove that we can decrypt all of your data. Please just send us 3 small encrypted files which are randomly stored on your server.
We will decrypt these files and send them to you as a proof. Please note that files for free test decryption should not contain valuable information.
–
As you know information is the most valuable resource in the world. That’s why all of your confidential data was uploaded to our servers.
If you need proof, just write us and we will show you that we have your files. If you will not start a dialogue with us in 72 hours
we will be forced to publish your files in the Darknet. Your customers and partners will be informed about the data leak by email or phone.
This way, your reputation will be ruined. If you will not react, we will be forced to sell the most important information such as databases
to interested parties to generate some profit.
–
Please understand that we are just doing our job. We don’t want to harm your company.
Think of this incident as an opportunity to improve your security. We are opened for dialogue and ready to help you. We are professionals,
please don’t try to fool us.
–
If you want to resolve this situation, please write to ALL of these 2 email addresses:
* beacon@jitjat.org
* beacon@msgsafe.io
In subject line please write: |your MachineID: –
——————————|and LaunchID: –
–
Important!
* We asking to send your message to ALL of our 2 email adresses because for various reasons, your email may not be delivered.
* Our message may be recognized as sp
.bec Virus Files
Encrypted files remain completely inaccessible until a decryption tool restores their code. How this virus changes names is by adding three extensions. For example the file photo.jpg will appear with the following name once encrypted by the Bec ransomware – photo.jpg.[fd5702993a].[beacon@jitjat.org].bec.
If you want to prevent being tricked by cybercriminals once again, you should avoid paying the demanded ransom. There is no guarantee provided that they can send you back a working decryption tool for your .bec files.
Remove Bec Ransomware Virus and Attempt to Restore Files
The so-called Bec is a threat with a highly complex code that disrupts system security in order to encrypt personal files. Hence the infected system could be used in a secure manner again only after the complete removal of all malicious files and objects created by the ransomware. That’s why it is recommendable that all steps presented in the ransomware removal guide below should be completed. Beware that manual ransomware removal is suitable for more experienced computer users. If you don’t feel comfortable with the manual steps navigate to the automatic part of the guide.
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online security.
Follow Me:
Attention! SensorsTechForum strongly recommends that all malware victims should look for assistance only by reputable sources. Many guides out there claim to offer free recovery and decryption for files encrypted by ransomware viruses. Be advised that some of them may only be after your money.
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.
About the Bec Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Bec 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 Bec 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.
References
1. How to Recognize Spam Emails with Ransomware
2. How Does Ransomware Encryption Work?
3. How to Decrypt Ransomware Files
4. Ransomware Getting Greedier and Bigger, Attacks Increase by 40%
5. 1 in 5 Americans Victim of Ransomware
How to Remove Bec from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Bec
1. Hold Windows Key + R.
2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.
3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".
4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.
5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.
Step 2: Uninstall Bec and related software 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:
1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.
2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.
3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Bec 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 Bec there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.
2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.
3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.
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: Scan for Bec with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.
2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.
3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.
4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.
Video Guide for Automatic and Fast Removal
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Bec.
Ransomware infections and Bec 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.
1. Download the recommended Data Recovery software by clicking on the link underneath:
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.
Step 6: How to Restore Files Encrypted by Ransomware (Video Guide)
Get rid of Bec from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Bec and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:
3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to Bec:
4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.
5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to Bec. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash
”.
6. Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference.
Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to Bec. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
7. Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove Bec via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:
2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:
3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as Bec. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 3 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Bec.
Ransomware infections and Bec 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.
1. Download the recommended Data Recovery software by clicking on the link underneath:
Simply click on the link and on the website menus on top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Bec FAQ
What is Bec ransomware and how does it work?
Bec 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 algorithm how 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.
How does Bec ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.Bec Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing e-mails, 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.
After you download and execute this attachment, a drive-by download occurs and your computer is infected with the ransomware virus.
Another way, you may become a victim of Bec 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 .Bec files?
You can't. At this point the .Bec files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted.
Decryptor did not decrypt my data. What now?
Do not panic and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your .Bec files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by Bec ransomware is to use a decryptor for it. But since it's a new virus, advised that the decryption keys for it may not be out yet and available to the public. We will update this article and keep you posted as soon as this decryptor is released.
How Do I restore ".Bec" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Bec files.
These methods are in no way 100% guarantee that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How do I get rid of Bec ransomware virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti malware software. It will scan for and locate Bec ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Bec files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like Bec ransomware also install Trojans and keyloggers that can steal your passwords and accounts. Scanning your computer with an anti-malware software will make sure that all of these virus components are removed and your computer is protected in the future.
What to Do If nothing works?
There is still a lot you can do. If none of the above methods seem to work for you, then try these methods:
- Try to find a safe computer from where you can can login on your own line accounts like One Drive, iDrive, Google Drive and so on.
- Try to contact your friends, relatives and other people so that they can check if they have some of your important photos or documents just in case you sent them.
- Also, check if some of the files that were encrypted it can be re-downloaded from the web.
- Another clever way to get back some of your files is to find another old computer, a flash drive or even a CD or a DVD where you may have saved your older documents. You might be surprised what will turn up.
- You can also go to your email account to check if you can send any attachments to other people. Usually what is sent the email is saved on your account and you can re-download it. But most importantly, make sure that this is done from a safe computer and make sure to remove the virus first.
More tips you can find on our forums, where you can also asks any questions about your ransomware problem.
How to 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.
