Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
Note! Your computer might be affected by Coban and other threats.
Threats such as Coban may be persistent on your system. They tend to re-appear if not fully deleted. A malware removal tool like SpyHunter will help you to remove malicious programs, saving you the time and the struggle of tracking down numerous malicious files. SpyHunter’s scanner is free but the paid version is needed to remove the malware threats. Read SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
Coban ransomware is a new data locker malware that aims to corrupt sensitive data and extort ransom from the victims. Coban ransomware uses strong cipher algorithm to encode target files and make them completely inaccessible. Encrypted files can be recognized by the .coban extension appended at the end of their names. Then it displays a ransom note on the screen of the infected PC to inform victims about the attack and instruct them what they are expected to do in order to receive files back.
This article informs victims of Coban ransomware infection and provides comprehensive removal and data restore instructions.
Threat Summary
Name
Coban
Type
Ransomware, Cryptovirus
Short Description
Encrypts the files on your computer, making them no longer openable. Asks for a ransom payment in Bitcoins.
Symptoms
Adds the .coban file extension to the encrypted files and changes their names to random names. Drops a ransom note, named _HELP_INSTRUCTION.txt.
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.
Coban Ransomware – Spread Techniques
Coban ransomware payloads can be spread via various distribution techniques. The most preferred one by cyber criminals is email messages with malicious attachments or infected elements like buttons and links placed in the email message body. Usually, the email messages are well crafted so they can easily trick users into infecting their computer systems with Coban ransomware. In most cases, the sender’s name and email address of the malicious emails are disguised as representatives of well-known business organizations, legal services, and even governmental institutions. And once the payload penetrates the system, it automatically triggers Coban ransomware infection.
In some cases, the ransomware may appear as fake software update notification that urges users to download a critical security patch. Additionally, the code of the malicious Coban crypto virus payload may be injected into web pages that are set to automatically start the download of the ransomware code on the PC. The links of these web pages may be included in malvertising campaigns or spread on social media channels.
Coban Ransomware – Infection Flow
The investigation of Coban ransomware samples is ongoing. Some security researchers believe that it can belong to the infamous CryptoMix ransomware family. This year our team detected and reported two other CryptoMix ransomware variants that are appending the .OGONIA and .EXTE extensions to the corrupted files.
The samples of Coban file locker affirm that it follows a typical ransomware pattern. The infection is triggered once a file named cc9b1e6806db5fb9628559162c3ebb62.virus is running on the system. Then Coban ransomware can connect with hackers’ controlled server and download all additional malware files it needs to complete the infection. Often the malicious files are situated in some of the following essential Windows system folders:
%AppData%
%Temp%
%Roaming%
%Common%
%System32%
Coban ransomware processes may be disguised as legitimate Windows system processes like – svchost.exe and services.exe making its detection even harder. After the threat establishes all malicious files on the system, it is capable of modifying Windows registry values in order to ensure its automatic execution on each Windows boot up. The following registry keys may be plagued by Coban ransomware:
At the end of the infection, Coban crypto virus drops its ransom note called _HELP_INSTRUCTION.txt on the computer. Then it displays it on the screen and informs the following:
All your files are already encrypted due to a vulnerability in the system! For decoding it is necessary to pay ransom by bitcoins. Bitcoins can be bought here – localbitcoins.com in many ways. Write to us at mail [email protected] and tell us your unique ID in the subject line. DECRYPT-ID-ea003afd-e55a-490a-bf5f-2e2f0db4e97b number
It is not known what is the amount of the demanded ransom, however, any negotiations with the crooks should be refrained so new troubles could be avoided.
Coban Ransomware – Data Encryption
Coban ransomware is believed to have the following file types in its target data list:
The list includes all file types that are frequently used by users to store important and valuable information. Each time the virus finds a target file, it encrypts it by utilizing strong cipher algorithm which makes the file no longer to be opened. Also, it renames the original names of the corrupted files and appends the extension .coban at the end.
Remove Coban Ransomware – Restore .coban Files
To sum up, Coban ransomware is a devastating infection that should be removed as soon as it is detected on the PC. Only after the complete Coban ransomware removal from the system, you can use it normally again. Otherwise, the ransomware will start its malicious files each time you start the PC, encrypt all your new files which are part of its target list and interrupt the regular system performance. The removal process of Coban ransomware can be done either manually or automatically. Both methods are presented in the step-by-step Coban ransomware removal guide below. Security researchers recommend the help of advanced anti-malware tool for maximum efficiency.
After the removal of Coban be advised to back up all encrypted files to an external drive and then proceed with the .coban files restore process which is also presented in the instructions below.
Note! Your computer system may be affected by Coban and other threats. Scan Your PC with SpyHunter SpyHunter is a powerful malware removal tool designed to help users with in-depth system security analysis, detection and removal of threats such as Coban. Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter’s malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.
To remove Coban follow these steps:
1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Coban files and objects
OFFER
Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!
We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter
Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter’s malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria
Boot Your PC Into Safe Mode
1. For Windows XP, Vista and 7. 2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. Fix registry entries created by malware and PUPs on your PC.
For Windows XP, Vista and 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 up the Start Menu.
Step 2: Click on the Power button (for Windows 8 it is the little arrow next to the “Shut Down” button) and whilst holding down “Shift” click on Restart.
Step 3: After reboot, a blue menu with options will appear. From them you should choose Troubleshoot.
Step 4: You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu choose Advanced Options.
Step 5: After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.
Step 6: From the Startup Settings menu, click on Restart.
Step 7: A menu will appear upon reboot. You can choose any of the three Safe Mode options by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart.
Some malicious scripts may modify the registry entries on your computer to change different settings. This is why cleaning your Windows Registry Database is recommended. Since the tutorial on how to do this is a bit long and tampering with registries could damage your computer if not done properly you should refer and follow our instructive article about fixing registry entries, especially if you are unexperienced in that area.
2. Find files created by Coban on your PC
Find files created by Coban
1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. 2. For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.
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.
Use SpyHunter to scan for malware and unwanted programs
3. Scan for malware and unwanted programs with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Scan your PC and Remove Coban with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for Coban and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove Coban. Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
Step 1: Click on the “Download” button to proceed to SpyHunter’s download page.
It is 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. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.
Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.
Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.
Step 1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Malware/PC Scan’ tab. A new window will appear. Click on ‘Start Scan’.
Step 2: 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.
Step 3: If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.
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 with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats. We recommend you to read more about it and to download SOS Online Backup.
4. Try to Restore files encrypted by Coban
Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Coban
Ransomware infections and Coban aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to 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 these methods may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Method 1: Scanning your drive’s sectors by using Data Recovery software. Another method for 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:
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:
To restore your data in case you have backup set up, it is important to check for Volume Shadow Copies, if ransomware has not deleted them, in Windows using the below software:
Method 4: Finding the decryption key while the cryptovirus sends it over a network via a sniffing tool.
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:
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
1. For Windows XP, Vista and 7.
2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.
Fix registry entries created by malware and PUPs on your PC.
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for Coban and remove them.
Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
