What is Covm virus – what if you see all you files ends with .covm?
Covm virus is the name of a dangerous ransomware infection, whose primary purpose is to get in your computer and then encrypt your documents, images, videos and other important files, while in the same time holding them for ransom. You are demanded to pay around 1000 USD in the form of BitCoin (since it is anonymous). And for that, cyber-criminals promise that they will bring back your files. Be advised however, that paying these money does not guarantee that you will be able to use your files once again, since the criminals are not to be trusted. Keep reading this article to understand what to do if your computer has been infected by the Covm virus ransomware virus.
Covm File
The .Covm files belong to a ransomware cryptovirus that is part of the STOP/DJVU family of cryptoviruses that have hit the globe. The .Covm files are encrypted with a very sophisticated encryption mode that can generate offline and online keys. If the keys to the variant that encrypted your computer are online decryption keys, then the chances to recover the files become slimmer. But do not worry, because there are alternative methods for file recovery as well. Keep reading this article to understand more about Covm virus and how you can get rid of it and try to recover your encrypted files.
Covm Summary
| Name | Covm |
| File Extension | .Covm |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Ransom Demanding Note | _readme.txt |
| Short Description | Variant of the STOP Ransomware virus family. Aims to render the files on the compromised computers by it to no longer be able to be opened In order to extort victims into paying ransom to get their files back. |
| Symptoms | Files cannot be opened and have the .Covm file extension. The ransomware drops a _readme.txt ransom note, containing the extortionists’ message. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executable files |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Covm. |
| 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. |
What Is Covm Virus and How It Works
In order to infect your computer, the Covm virus may use several primary methods of infecting a machine:
- Via being sent to you in the form of e-mail attachment that pretends to be a legitimate file, like an invoice or some other important document.
- By malicious web links that you may have clicked on.
- Via fake installers of programs that come embedded with malware. These are often downloaded from low-reputation sites.
- As a result of redirects by adware.
Once you click on the infection file of Covm, you may trigger an infection process. This infection uses an Exploit to find holes in the security of your Windows OS and then infects your computer by connecting to its control server. From there, it may download the virus files of Covm ransomware. The malicious files may be located in the following Windows directories:
- %System%.
- %system32%.
- %Roaming%.
- %Local%
- %AppData%
- %LocalLow%.
- %Temp%.
- %ProgramData%.
- %Windows%.
As soon as the Covm virus drops its malicious files on your computer, it may also drop its ransom note file. The file is named _readme.txt and has the following contents:
———————————————- ALL YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED ———————————————–
Don’t worry, you can return all your files!
All your files documents, photos, databases and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees do we give to you?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information
Don’t try to use third-party decrypt tools because it will destroy your files.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours.
—————————————————————————————————————————
To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
helpmanager@mail.ch
Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
helpdatarestore@firemail.cc
Your personal ID:
[redacted 43 alphanumeric chars]
As you can see, the virus aims to get you to pay ransom in return for your files. This is the end goal of the crooks and paying is not advisable.
The main activities of Covm virus, once it infects your computer and drops its virus files are the following:
Acquire your passwords and logins.- Check if your PC has previously been infected with ransomware.
- Obtain information about where you are located.
- Make a check whether or not it is running on a virtual drive or a real machine. If its not running on a real machine, then the Covm virus may self-delete.
- Obtain system information from your computer and your IP address.
- Steal files.
The files that will be encrypted in case your computer is infected by the Covm virus are the following:
- Presentations.
- Word Documents.
- Microsoft Excel Files.
- Open Office documents.
- Pictures..
- Videos.
- Music and audio files.
- Archive file types.
- Database file types.
- Backups.
And the worse thing about it is that the algorithm that is used by the Covm virus is called AES or Advanced Encryption Standard. This cipher’s primary purpose is to replace part of the original file and create its encrypted copy then delete the original. Paying the ransom to the criminals is not something that we would advise you to do, because you cannot trust them in getting your files back and you support criminal activity this way as well.
Remove Covm Virus and Try to Restore Files
Covm virus can be removed from your computer if you follow the removal steps below. Bear in mind that for manual removal to work, you should be aware, where the files of this infection are dropped and have some experience in detecting those files. Manual removal steps below will help you with this action, but you also need to have some knowledge on tampering with system files and registries. Other than that, the most recommended way to remove Covm virus from your computer is to perform it automatically with the aid of an advanced anti-malware software. This software has been created with the main idea to help you delete the Covm virus and make it possible to remove all of its related files.
If you want to try and restore the files of Covm virus, be advised to check the “Try to Restore” section in the guides below. They might be able to help you in some circumstances, at least until a free decryptor for the Covm virus is released. If so, we will update it on this link and you can use it to decrypt your files.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
Follow Me:
- Step 1
- Step 2
- Step 3
- Step 4
- Step 5
Step 1: Scan for Covm with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall Covm 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 Covm 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 Covm 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 Covm
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Covm.
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 Covm 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.
Covm-FAQ
What is Covm Ransomware?
Covm 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 Covm 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 Covm Infect?
Via several ways.Covm 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 Covm 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 .Covm files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .Covm 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 .Covm files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".Covm" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Covm 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 Covm 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 Covm ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Covm 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 Covm 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 Covm Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Covm 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 Covm 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.
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.