Article created to help you remove PyL33T ransomware infection from your computer and restore files encrypted with the .d4nk file extension embedded in them.
A ransomware infection, called PyL33T ransomware has been reported by malware researchers to be causing infections and encrypting user files. The virus adds the .d4nk file extension to the encrypted files after the process has completed. Then, the victim is extorted by the cyber-criminals behind the .d4nk virus to pay a hefty ransom fee. In case you have been infected by this ransomware virus, we recommend you to read this article carefully.
Threat Summary
| Name | .d4nk virus |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Short Description | The malware encrypts users files using a strong encryption algorithm, making direct decryption possible only via a unique decryption key available to the cyber-criminals. |
| Symptoms | The user may witness ransom notes and “instructions” linking to a web page and a decryptor. Changed file names and the file-extension .d44nk has been used. |
| Distribution Method | Via an Exploit kit, Dll file attack, malicious JavaScript or a drive-by download of the malware itself in an obfuscated manner. |
| Detection Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by .d4nk virus Download Malware Removal Tool |
| User Experience | Join our forum to Discuss .d4nk virus. |
| 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. |
How Does .d4nk Ransomware Spread
There are multiple ways by which this ransomware infection may be spread. One of them is via malicious e-mail attachment, met in 70% of the ransomware infection cases. The cyber-criminals prefer to send e-mails to the victims with malicious attachments since this is the cheaper method. The e-mails appear to look like the example below:
After the user opens the e-mail attachment the infection is immediate and what has been done, cannot be undone.
But there may also be other methods of infection, such as malicious game patches and cracks downloaded from torrent software. Other infections also happen via fake installers or potentially unwanted programs on the user’s computer.
.d4nk File Virus – Post-Infection Analysis
After already being infected with this ransomware, it may connect to the C2 server 178.62.166.7:1337 and download two executable files. One of them has a random symbol name and the one is called ransomware.exe. These files both may be located in one of the following Windows directories:
But this is not all that is connected with this ransomware infection. It’s primary purpose is to encrypt the files on the computers it has compromised. To do this, the .d4nk virus uses advanced encryption algorithms which make the files no longer openable. This is achievable by replacing bytes of those files with encrypted data. The files contain the .d4nk extension after the encryption process is complete and may look like the following:
The ransomware virus looks for a variety of file types to encrypt, but it primarily targets te ones which are most often used and of greater importance:
→ .7z, .css, .dba, .doc, .docm, .docx, .html, .JPEG, .jpg, .kbdx, .mov, .mp3, .mp4, .odb, .odc, .oma, .pdf, .php, .ppt, .pptx, .pub, .raw, .sql, .txt, .wallet, .xlxs
The ransom note which the virus leaves after encrypting the files has the following message:
“ATTENTION
You Have Been Infected With Ransomware.
Please Make Note of Your Unique Idenfier:”
After the encryption process has finished, this virus send decryption information to the cyber-criminals domain and then cut all connections to it.
Remove .d4nk File Virus and Restore Encrypted Data
The .d4nk ransomware is a threat that corrupts your files and even though as it may seem that paying the ransom will get your files back, it is never a good idea.
One good reason for this is that cyber-criminals should not be trusted. Instead, recommendations are to remove the .d4nk ransomware from your computer by following the removal instructions below. The best method for removal according to experts is to use an advanced anti-malware tool to remove this ransomware infection from your computer.
To attempt and restore your files, we recommend to try some alternative methods that we have suggested in step “2. Restore files encrypted by .d4nk virus” below. They are in no way 100 percent guaranteed but you may restore at least some of the files this way.
Manually delete .d4nk virus from your computer
Note! Substantial notification about the .d4nk virus threat: Manual removal of .d4nk virus 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. For Windows 7,XP and Vista.
2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.
Fix registry entries created by .d4nk virus on your PC.
Automatically remove .d4nk virus by downloading an advanced anti-malware program
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for and remove .d4nk virus.
Back up your data to secure it against infections and file encryption by .d4nk virus in the future.
STOPZilla Anti Malware
