Blackout Ransomware Removal – Restore Files

This article will help you remove Blackout ransomware absolutely. Follow the ransomware removal instructions at the bottom.

Blackout is the name of a newly-found ransomware cryptovirus. The ransomware is a variant of open-source ransomware and will encrypt your files. The Blackout virus displays a ransom note inside a text file called README_1183339_23654.txt with a demanded ransom to be paid in Bitcoin. Keep reading below to see how you could try to potentially restore some of your files.

Threat Summary

Name	Blackout
Type	Ransomware, Cryptovirus
Short Description	The ransomware encrypts files on your computer and displays a ransom message afterward.
Symptoms	The ransomware will encrypt your files and put up a ransom note inside a text file called README_1183339_23654.txt.
Distribution Method	Spam Emails, Email Attachments
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by Blackout Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss Blackout.
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.

Blackout Ransomware – Update May 2018

Right with the start of the month of May, a new sample of the Blackout ransomware has emerged. Malware researchers report that multiple security program engines detect the new sample and below you can see a screenshot with proof from the VirusTotal site:

The new version of the Blackout ransomware features changes in the ransom note. You can preview the new message down here:

The ransom note states the following:

Hello. All your files have been encryted!!

Your personal Id:

[redacted]

Download video decryption: https:/screencast.com/t/DTQwRyaM

To decrypt your files, write to email: [email protected] or [email protected]
In the letter, send your personal Id and 2 small encrypted files for trial decryption.

If you don’t get answer from [email protected] or [email protected] in 72 hours,
you need to install tor browser, you can download it here:
https://www.torproject.org/download/download.html.en
After installation, open the tor browser to website: http://6ksho3v2o34lsvi2.onion and follow the instructions.

Do not try restore files without our help, this is useless, and can destroy you data permanetly.
However, the files can be recovered even after the removal of our program and even after reinstalling the operating system.

If you try to load the TOR network page listed from the ransom note instructions, the following page will open:

Entering your Id will give you access to additional payment instructions, but it is not recommended to follow them.

Blackout Ransomware – Spread

Blackout ransomware could spread its infection with various methods. A payload dropper which initiates the malicious script for this ransomware is being spread around the World Wide Web, and researchers have gotten their hands on a malware sample. If that file lands on your computer system and you somehow execute it – your PC will become infected. You can see the detections of such a file on the VirusTotal service right here:

Blackout ransomware 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. Refrain from opening files right after you have downloaded them. You should first scan them with a security tool, while also checking their size and signatures for anything that seems out of the ordinary. You should read the tips for preventing ransomware found in our forums.

Blackout Ransomware – Overview

Blackout is a virus that could encrypt your files and extort you to pay a ransom to get them back to normal. Inside its extensive ransom note it is stated that the ransomware is coded on open-source.

Blackout ransomware might make entries in the Windows Registry to achieve persistence, and could launch or repress processes in a Windows environment. Such entries are typically designed in a way to launch the virus automatically with each start of the Windows Operating System.

That ransom note is inside a file called README_1183339_23654.txt as seen below:

That note reads the following:

Your files have been encrypted ransomware!

Your personal Id:

ZiaDEo7y1ozgwP2TPZEfcJI1qT9LhkW4fzw3x99f8dzcyHS/8qh5T48JPJms43R5px+4F+fM103pbs2pVArVrb
+6LgFwO1EaT0ymfwDTvljHCG4/Dtdqrh3o9yIunXGquFhv+Tlntj3i170Fg238FjlLjlxPB+5p6eCD6JDTeKBrlq
+9kQLxoHyPQ75HBxztchmYiYy4hf5bJQjzpqnIJP7mX/HDVWz09WeYvYR8jdRb0YRWLGpR8jn9fymdfGNhDfivzticdix
+BE/8dtg/bPTA1hD3TuJa/iGGzVVnsmFx2mdT71A80fkj8o4CY9jFXkoQS1RN7IOMpIfo/iEIg+
+ZnItRlJfMTE4MzMzOV8xMC4WLjIuMTVfymx1dDFfMTI5M22iZjE4ZjgwODJjOWFhYTVhOTVkMzljzju0Y2E

LICENSE AGREEMENT

Blackout ransomware is a free open source software.
The program is designed to test the protection of OS Windows against ransomware.
The developer of this software is not responsible for any damage caused by the program.
The program is experimental and the entire responsibility for use lies with the user.

HOW TO USE:
To decrypt your files, you need the program blackout_decryptor.exe
If you do not have it, write to email: [email protected] or [email protected]
In the letter, send your personal id and two small encrypted files for trial decryption.

If you dont get answer from [email protected] or [email protected] in 72 hours,
you need to install tor browser, you can download it here:
https://www.torproject.org/download/download.html.en
After installation, open the tor browser to website:
http://mail2tor2zyjdctd.onion/register.php
Register on the site a new email address and write to us with his letter to our address:
[email protected]

NN: 506358115267996

The note of the Blackout ransomware states that your files are encrypted. No particular ransom sum is demanded as payment for potentially unlocking your files. Instead, you are asked to contact the cybercriminals through various outlets for the payment details. You should NOT under any circumstances pay anything. Your files may not get restored, and nobody could guarantee it. Moreover, giving money to cybercriminals will likely motivate them to create more ransomware viruses.

Blackout Ransomware – Encryption

Little is known about the encryption process of the Blackout ransomware. It will encrypt your files and maybe place an extension to all of them, after which it will create the above-mentioned ransom note with detailed instruction and want you to write to one of the following e-mail addresses:

• [email protected]
• [email protected]

Every single file will get encrypted with the AES encryption algorithm.

The Blackout cryptovirus 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

In case the command stated above is executed that would make the encryption process more efficient as it will eliminate one of the ways for restoring your data. If your computer device was infected with this ransomware and your files are locked, read on through to find out how you could potentially recover your data.

Remove Blackout Ransomware and Restore Files

If your computer got infected with the Blackout ransomware virus, 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.

Manually delete Blackout from your computer

Note! Substantial notification about the Blackout threat: Manual removal of Blackout requires interference with system files and registries. Thus, it can cause damage to your PC. Even if your computer skills are not at a professional level, don’t worry. You can do the removal yourself just in 5 minutes, using a malware removal tool.

1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Blackout files and objects

Boot Your PC Into Safe Mode

1. For Windows 7,XP and Vista. 2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. Fix registry entries created by Blackout on your PC.

For Windows XP, Vista, 7 systems:

1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu.
2. Select one of the two options provided below:

– For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again.

– For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system.

3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“.

4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account

While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.

Step 1: Open the Start Menu

Step 2: Whilst holding down Shift button, click on Power and then click on Restart.
Step 3: After reboot, the aftermentioned menu will appear. From there you should choose Troubleshoot.

Step 4: You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu you can choose Advanced Options.

Step 5: After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.

Step 6: Click on Restart.

Step 7: A menu will appear upon reboot. You should choose Safe Mode by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart.

Some malicious scripts may modify the registry entries of your computer to change different settings. This is why manual clean up of your Windows Registry Database is strongly recommended. Since the tutorial on how to do this is a bit lenghty, we recommend following our instructive article about fixing registry entries.

2. Find malicious files created by Blackout on your PC

Find malicious files created by Blackout

1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. 2. For Windows 7,XP and Vista.

For Newer Windows Operating Systems

Step 1:

On your keyboard press  + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.

Step 2:

Click on your PC from the quick access bar. This is usually an icon with a monitor and its name is either “My Computer”, “My PC” or “This PC” or whatever you have named it.

Step 3:

Navigate to the search box in the top-right of your PC’s screen and type “fileextension:” and after which type the file extension. If you are looking for malicious executables, an example may be “fileextension:exe”. After doing that, leave a space and type the file name you believe the malware has created. Here is how it may appear if your file has been found:

N.B. We recommend to wait for the green loading bar in the navination box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn’t found it yet.

For Older Windows Operating Systems

In older Windows OS’s the conventional approach should be the effective one:

Step 1:

Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.

Step 2:

After the search window appears, choose More Advanced Options from the search assistant box. Another way is by clicking on All Files and Folders.

Step 3:

After that type the name of the file you are looking for and click on the Search button. This might take some time after which results will appear. If you have found the malicious file, you may copy or open its location by right-clicking on it.

Now you should be able to discover any file on Windows as long as it is on your hard drive and is not concealed via special software.

Automatically remove Blackout by downloading an advanced anti-malware program

1. Remove Blackout with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data

Remove Blackout with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Install SpyHunter to scan for and remove Blackout.2. Scan with SpyHunter to Detect and Remove Blackout. Back up your data to secure it against infections and file encryption by Blackout in the future.

Step 1:Click on the “Download” button to proceed to SpyHunter’s download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is highly recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter.

Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.
Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to automatically update.

Step1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Scan Computer Now’ button.

Step2: After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any Blackout files, click on the ‘Fix Threats’ button to remove them automatically and permanently.

Step3: Once the intrusions on your PC have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart it.

Back up your data to secure it against attacks in the future

IMPORTANT! Before reading the Windows backup instructions, we highly recommend to back up your data automatically with cloud backup and insure it against any type of data loss on your device, even the most severe. We recommend reading more about and downloading SOS Online Backup .

SOS Online Backup

2. Restore files encrypted by Blackout

Restore Files Encrypted by Blackout

Ransomware infections like Blackout aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to directly decrypt. This is why we have suggested several alternative methods that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that they may not be 100% effective but they may help you little or a lot in some situations.

Method 1: Scanning your drive’s sectors by using Data Recovery software.
Another method of restoring your files is by trying to bring back your files via data recovery software. Here are some suggestions for preferred data recovery software solutions:

• Stellar Phoenix Data Recovery Technicians License(Pro version with more features)
• Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery
• Stellar Phoenix Photo Recovery

Method 2: Trying Kaspersky and EmsiSoft’s decryptors.
If the first method does not work, we suggest trying to use decryptors for other ransomware viruses, in case your virus is a variant of them. The two primary developers of decryptors are Kaspersky and EmsiSoft, links to which we have provided below:

• Kaspersky Decryptors
• Emsisoft Decryptors

Urgent! It is strongly advisable to first remove the Blackout threat before attempting any decryption, since it may interfere with system files and registries. You can do the removal yourself just in 5 minutes, using an advanced malware removal tool.

Method 3: Using Shadow Explorer

To restore your data in case you have backup set up, it is important to check for shadow copies in Windows using this software if ransomware has not deleted them:

• Shadow Explorer

Method 4: Finding Blackout decryption key while it communicates it via a network sniffing software.

Another way to decrypt the files is by using a Network Sniffer to get the encryption key, while files are encrypted on your system. A Network Sniffer is a program and/or device monitoring data traveling over a network, such as its internet traffic and internet packets. If you have a sniffer set before the attack happened you might get information about the decryption key. See how-to instructions below:

Instructions on How to Find Decryption Key for Files Encrypted By Ransowmare

Optional: Using Alternative Anti-Malware Tools

Remove Blackout Using Other Alternative Tools

STOPZilla Anti Malware

1. Download and Install STOPZilla Anti-malware to Scan for And Remove Blackout.
Step 1: Download STOPZilla by clicking here.
Step 2: A pop-up window will appear. Click on the ‘Save File’ button. If it does not, click on the Download button and save it afterwards.

Step 3: After you have downloaded the setup, simply open it.
Step 4: The installer should appear. Click on the ‘Next’ button.

Step 5: Check the ‘I accept the agreement’ check circle if not checked if you accept it and click the ‘Next’ button once again.

Step 6: Review and click on the ‘Install’ button.

Step 7: After the installation process has completed click on the ‘Finish’ button.

2. Scan your PC with STOPZilla Anti Malware to remove all Blackout associated files completely.
Step 1: Launch STOPZilla if you haven’t launched it after install.
Step 2: Wait for the software to automatically scan and then click on the ‘Repair Now’ button. If it does not scan automatically, click on the ‘Scan Now’ button.

Step 3: After the removal of all threats and associated objects, you should Restart your PC.

Berta Bilbao

Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.

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