Security researchers reported the discovery of a dangerous new threat called the BlackRuby-2 virus. It is a new iteration of the Infinite Tear malware family and represents an advanced ransomware. The threat has been observed to rename and encrypt the target data with the .BlackRuby-2 extension.
Threat Summary
| Name | BlackRuby-2 |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Short Description | BlackRuby-2 Virus is a dangerous ransomware that causes a lot of system issues on the compromised computers. It is a typical ransomware that modifies key system configuration settings and encrypts sensitive user data. |
| Symptoms | The ransomware will encrypt files, and put an extension to them: .BlackRuby2 |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, File Sharing Networks, Exploit Kits |
| Detection Tool |
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BlackRuby-2 V2 Virus – Infection Spread
The BlackRuby-2 Virus is a new threat that has been reported by the security community. At the moment the active attack campaign uses several of the most popular spread tactics in order to infect the intended victims.
One of the most popular ways is to send email messages that contain spam email attachments infected with the BlackRuby-2 virus. The hackers can either choose to directly send the files as file attachments or post hyperlinks in the body contents. In all cases the criminals use various social engineering tactics in order to coerce the victims into downloading and executing the dangerous files.
BlackRuby-2 virus can also be uploaded to hacker-controlled portals and scripts. In the most popular case they use graphics and text images that copy well-known download sites. Related instances can include all manners of scripts: banners, pop-ups & etc. In the last few years we have noted the rise of file-sharing networks such as BitTorrent where the viruses pose as legitimate files.
Another way that such files can infect the target computers is by integrating the virus code in software installers. The criminals behind the ransomware threat take the legitimate software installers of famous applications and modify them to include the BlackRuby-2 virus code. Usually the chosen payloads are free and trial versions of famous applications of all types: creative apps, office suites, utilities and even computer games.
In other cases the hackers can opt to use browser hijackers that repesent malware browser plugins. Their primary aim is to redirect the victims to a hacker-controlled site by manipulating the browser settings. Such scripts are usually made compatible with the most popular web browsers: Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari and Opera. During the initial infection the BlackRuby-2 virus can be loaded.
BlackRuby-2 V2 Virus – Technical Data
The security audit performed by the security experts showcase that the threat is a new strain originating from the InfiniteTear malware family. As such its behavior tactics follows a generic algorithm. According to the report the infection modules unfolds with a several stage delivery mechanism. There are several checks that are made before the virus is allowed execution:
- Regional Settings Check — The infection module looks up the regional settings which determines the users preferences and country. At the moment the captured samples appear to target users living in certain countries. An example list includes Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Turkey and others.
- Security Software Check — The application can scan the local system for any installed security software. The captured virus samples at the moment are configured to look for signs of the following software: Avast, Avira, COMODO, Kaspersky Lab, McAfee and Symantec products. Future versions can include sandbox and debugging environments.
- System Profile Information — A preliminary report about the victim machine is generated. It includes information related to the machine’s hardware components and installed software.
The next stage of the virus infection unfolds once the BlackRuby-2 virus has gained enough information about the system. The security analysis has revealed that the malware module conducts a series of dangerous actions that all seek to create a persistent state of execution. This action seeks to make manual user recovery very difficult and even impossible in some cases.
The attack starts with the removal of the ability to run the startup recovery. The virus disables this function by modifying the boot loader settings. Following this the malware engine also deletes all shadow volume copies of the identified target data. This makes it difficult to restore affected virus data without the use of a professional software, refer to our instructions for more information on this process. Another dangerous tactic is the removal of log files related to its activity.
An interesting approach is the fact that the threat uses the name of Windows Defender to disguise itself from recovery. The anti-virus software part of the operating system is known to cause performance issues when deep scans are involved. Such resource usage is also shared with virus components which makes it the perfect app to pose as.
BlackRuby-2 V2 Virus – Encryption Process
Once all malware components have executed correctly the ransomware component is started. Like other typical computer threats it uses a built-in list of target file type extensions. Usually the target data includes the following:
- Archives
- Documents
- Videos
- Audio
- Images
- Backups
As a consequence all victim data receive the .BlackRuby-2 extension. To cause further confusions the target files are also hashed. This makes it nearly impossible to find out the original names of the victim data.
The ransom note is named HOW-TO-DECRYPT-FILES.txt which may contain different messages. One of the captured samples includes the following:
***This option will be available to you after the subscription and monthly payment***
Further improvements may add a lockscreen instance that actively counters any ordinary computer interaction until the threat has been removed.
Remove BlackRuby-2 V2 Virus and Restore Your Files
If your computer got compromised and is infected with the BlackRuby-2 ransomware virus, you should have some experience with removing viruses before tampering with it. You should get rid of the ransomware fast before it can spread further on the network and encrypt more files. The recommended action for you is to remove the ransomware completely by following the step-by-step instructions written below.
Martin Beltov
Martin graduated with a degree in Publishing from Sofia University. As a cyber security enthusiast he enjoys writing about the latest threats and mechanisms of intrusion.
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Step 1: Scan for BlackRuby-2 with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall BlackRuby-2 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 BlackRuby-2 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 BlackRuby-2 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 BlackRuby-2
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by BlackRuby-2.
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 BlackRuby-2 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.
BlackRuby-2-FAQ
What is BlackRuby-2 Ransomware?
BlackRuby-2 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 BlackRuby-2 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 BlackRuby-2 Infect?
Via several ways.BlackRuby-2 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 BlackRuby-2 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 .BlackRuby-2 files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .BlackRuby-2 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 .BlackRuby-2 files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".BlackRuby-2" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .BlackRuby-2 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 BlackRuby-2 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 BlackRuby-2 ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .BlackRuby-2 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 BlackRuby-2 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 BlackRuby-2 Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this BlackRuby-2 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 BlackRuby-2 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.
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