Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Note! Your computer might be affected by Conficker and other threats.
Threats such as Conficker 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
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Article created to help you remove the Conficker ransomware and restore .conficker encrypted files on your computer.
A ransomware virus has appeared in the wild, created with the same name as the original Conficker virus back in 2008-2009. The virus, detected in April 2017 encrypts files on the computers infected by it, after which drops behind a ransom note, named Decrypt.txt, demanding victims to pay a hefty ransom fee (0.5 BTC) to get their files back to working state. In case your computer has been infected by the Conficker ransomware infection, reccomendations are to read the following article thoroughly.
Threat Summary
Name
Conficker
Type
Ransomware
Short Description
Encrypts important files and asks for 0.5 BTC ransom payoff to be made.
Symptoms
Files are encrypted with the .conficker file extension and an added decrypt.txt ransom note is added.
Distribution Method
Via an Exploit kit, Dll file attack, malicious JavaScript or a drive-by download of the malware itself in an obfuscated manner.
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.
.Conficker File Virus – Update September 2017
A seemingly new variant of the Conficker file virus has been discovered by a few malware researchers. The picture of the ransom note message remains unchanged and identical to the variant described in this article. The new itertion of the virus is the Samarat Ransomware with .Samarat extension. Samarat is based on the HiddenTear open-source project.
.Conficker File Virus – How Does It Spread
For the distribution of the Conficker ransomware infection, the cyber-criminals behind the virus may take advantage of multiple different set of tools used in combination. These tools may include malicious web links, compromised e-mail addresses, fake e-mail accounts, exploit kits, web injectors, fake updates, self-extracting archives and others. Such may be used via spamming software to spread spam e-mails on a massive scale. Usually the spammed messages have deceitful character and they often aim to get users to either open an attachment on the e-mail or click on a malicious web link.
Other methods of spreading this malware may also include it’s uploading on torrent websites or software downloading sites that are suspicious or compromised. The virus may pose as a legitimate activator for different software, a key generator or a game crack.
.Conficker Ransomware – Infection Process
The infection process of Conficker is achieved by a dropper or a similar type of intermediary malware that is obfuscated and can successfully evade antivirus software. The way the infection works is once the user opens a malicious file or web link, the virus may drop it’s malicious files on several Windows directories, like the following:
%AppData%
%Roaming%
%Local%
%LocalLow%
%SystemDrive%
%Windows%
%System32%
The files are mostly executable and they also include the ransom note of Conficker. They are reported to be the following:
ransomwarefineched.exe
Decrypt.txt
C_o_N_F_i_c_k_e_r Decryptor.exe
winrar Setup 2017.exe
winrar 2017.exe
conficker.exe
In addition to dropping it’s malicious files, Conficker ransomware may compromise the Windows Registry Editor, creating malicious registry values in some of the following sub-keys:
After the modification of the sub-keys is performed, the Conficker ransomware may now run when Windows boots up.
Among the activities of Conficker ransomware may me multiple others, like the deletion of any backups as well as shadow volume copies. This is achievable by executing the vssadmin and bcedit commands on Windows Command Prompt in quiet mode without the user noticing, for example:
After this has been completed, the Conficker ransomware may begin the encryption process.
Conficker Virus – Encryption
The process of encrypting files is orchestrated with the assistance of an encryption algorithm which aims to encode the files by replacing blocks of data in them. Once this is done, the files seem corrupt and can no longer be opened. After the encryption process is complete, the Conficker threat may change the extensions of the encrypted files, making them appear like the following:
Encrypted File.txt.conficker
For the encryption process, Conlicker ransomware may target important files, carefully avoiding Windows system files, so that the OS is intact. Among the encrypted files may be the following file extensions:
After the encryption process is complete, the Conficker virus may change the wallpaper on the affected computer and in addition to this drop a ransom note, named decrypt.txt. Both the wallpaper and the ransom note have the same message:
C_o_N_F_i_c_k_e_r R_A_N_S_O_M_W_A_R_E ##### Attention! Attention! Attention! Your Files has been encrypted By C_o_N_F_i_c_k_e_r R_A_N_S_O_M_W_A_R_E ##### Send 0.5 Bitcoin To @ 1sUCn6JYa7B96t4nZz1tX5muU2W5YxCmS @ ##### If Send 0.5 Bitcoin We will send you the decryption key C_o_N_F_i_c_k_e_r Decryptor #####
Remove Conficker Virus and Restore .conficker Encrypted Files
Before beginning the removal process of Conficker ransomware, recommendations are to backup the encrypted files first. After this, advices are to focus on following the removal instructions down below. They are carefully designed to help you get rid of the malicious files by first isolating Conficker in Safe Mode. For maximum effectiveness and proper removal, security experts recommend downloading and installing an advanced anti-malware program. It will automatically remove all malicious files related to Conficker ransomware and protect the system against future infections as well.
For the restoration of files encrypted by Conficker ransomware, we advise using the methods in step “2. Restore files encrypted by Conficker” below. They are no guarantee all the files will be restored but you may recover a big portion of them, at least until a decryptor is released for free.
Note! Your computer system may be affected by Conficker 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 Conficker. 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 Conficker follow these steps:
1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Conficker 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 Conficker on your PC
Find files created by Conficker
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 Conficker with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for Conficker and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove Conficker. 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 Conficker
Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Conficker
Ransomware infections and Conficker 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:
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Article created to help you remove the Conficker ransomware and restore .conficker encrypted files on your computer.
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 Conficker and remove them.
Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
