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.
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.
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.
Note! Your computer might be affected by DABLIO and other threats.
Threats such as DABLIO 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
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.
This article will aid you to remove DABLIO Virus. Follow the ransomware removal instructions provided at the end of the article.
DABLIO Virus is one that encrypts your data and demands money as a ransom to get it restored. Files will be prepended with the “encrypted” string. The DABLIO Virus will leave ransomware instructions as a desktop wallpaper image. Keep on reading the article and see how you could try to potentially recover some of your locked files and data.
Threat Summary
Name
DABLIO
Type
Ransomware, Cryptovirus
Short Description
The ransomware encrypts files by placing the “encrypted” string in the file names on your computer system and demands a ransom to be paid to allegedly recover them.
Symptoms
The ransomware will encrypt your files and leave a ransom note with payment instructions.
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.
DABLIO Virus – Distribution Techniques
The reports stating the DABLIO virus’s detection do not reveal much information about the way the samples are distributed. This probably means that the collected samples are distributed as a test sample or are limited to a certain list of intended targets. Whatever the case in all cases if the intrusions prove successful the hackers will probably use widespread campaigns and several of the popular methods to increase the number of infected victims.
One of the popular methods is the use of email SPAM messages that containing various phishing and social engineering elements. They are made in order to confuse and coerce the recipients into thinking that they have received a legitimate message notification from a well-known company or an Internet service that they might use. The messages themselves may contain links to the ransomware itself or the virus can be directly attached.
A similar phishing strategy involves the creation of malicious web sites that are designed to spoof vendor pages, download portals and other elements. They can spread the virus files or any of the infected payload carriers. There are two popular types:
Infected Documents — The criminals behind the DABLIO virus can embed the infection code into the most popular document types: spreadsheets, presentations, text documents and databases. Whenever they are opened a message will appear asking the users to enable the built-in macros. This will trigger the DABLIO virus download sequence which will result in its deployment.
Setup Files — The other popular strategy is the insertion of the virus code in application installers. The hackers will typically choose popular software which computer users generally search. When they are installed the setup procedure will deploy the infection.
Large infections can be done by instructing browser hijackers to carry the payload. They are generally made for the most popular web browsers and are uploaded to their respective repositories. Their descriptions will include promises of new feature additions or performance optimizations. As soon as they are installed their built-in behavior patterns will be run. In most of the cases modifications to the settings will be done following the virus’s delivery.
DABLIO Virus – Detailed Analysis
As soon as the Dablio virus has started it will start its built-in behavior pattern. The collected samples do not exhibit anything other than the ransomware module itself. This means that the samples are possibly early development versions or testing releases. These early samples have been found to be written in Python allowing them to be extended further by adding various module to the base threat.
Typical virus infections can start with information gathering of sensitive user data. All gathered data can grouped into one of these two categories:
Personal Information — This group of data can reveal information about the user which can be used to expose their identity: real name, address, phone number and even stored account credentials.
Anonymous Metrics — This subset of data can be used to create an unique ID associated with every compromised machine. This is done by generating a report of the installed hardware components, operating system environment values and certain user settings.
If other modules are installed they can make use of this information. A popular example is the security bypass which can identify applications and services that can stop the Dablio virus infection. The usual suspects are anti-virus software, firewalls and sandbox environments. As soon as their real-time engines are detected they will be disabled.
When these two modules have finished running the Dablio virus will have the ability to conduct all kinds of System modifications. A partial list of the possible functionality exhibited by future strains of the ransomware is the following:
Windows Registry Entries Modifications — The virus may look for specific Windows Registry entries belonging to the operating system or to third-party apps. Such modifications can render certain functions non-working. More serious changes can even disable them.
Persistent Installation — The Dablio virus may be installed in a way which will make manual user recovery very difficult. This is usually done by modifying boot options and configuration files into starting the malicious engines as soon as the computer is powered on.
Data Removal — The engine can identify and remove important files such as system backups and Shadow Volume Copies. In these cases the victims will need to use a backup software together with the anti-spyware recovery utility.
Additional Malware Delivery — Such infections can be used as payload carriers for other malware. The reason why this is considered as an option is because the virus would have first penetrated the target machines and bypassed any security measures. All popular forms of malware can be considered — Trojans, miners, browser hijackers and etc.
Other features can be added interactively if the Dablio virus is bundled with a Trojan. This would allow the hackers to spy on the users and also take over control of their machines at any given time.
Update: Further information about this ransomware has been found. A security researcher reveals that it is based on an older Python ransomware called
Ransomware virus makes have no breaks, even during summer seasons. A perfect example for that is the lately active 64-bit HolyCrypt ransomware which adds the (encrypted) name prefix at the beginning of the file names of the objects it encrypts....Read more
HolyCrypt. This confirms the suspicion that the hacker or criminal collective is not experienced in order to base it on older code. It is possible that much of the functionality as encountered on the base threat will be retained.
DABLIO Virus – Encryption Process
As soon as all prior components have finished running the actual ransomware module will be started. Like other popular threats it will use the built-in list of target file type extensions to select what data will be encrypted. An example list is the following:
Archives
Backups
Databases
Images
Music
Videos
All victims files will be prepended with the “encrypted” string. The associated ransomare note will be created in a document. Some of the samples also use a lockscreen which will block the ordinary interaction with the computer. The message reads the following: #DABLIO
Good Morning. Good afternoon. Good evening.
I’m sorry to inform you that your computer was ENCRYPTED.
ALL YOUR FILES WERE COMMITTED. PAY TO HAVE YOUR FILES NORMAL CONDITION. DO NOT WORRY! EVERYTHING WILL BE BACK. ACCESS THE WEBSITE WWW.LOCALBITCOIN.COM AND MAKE THE PURCHASE OF THE BITCOINAND TRANSFER OF THE BITCOIN TO MY WALLET. AFTER WE SEND UNLOCK CODE OF YOUR FILES. THANKS;
If your computer system got infected with the DABLIO ransomware virus, you should have a bit of experience in removing malware. You should get rid of this ransomware as quickly as possible before it can have the chance to spread further and infect other computers. You should remove the ransomware and follow the step-by-step instructions guide provided below.
Note! Your computer system may be affected by DABLIO 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 DABLIO. 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 DABLIO follow these steps:
1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove DABLIO 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 DABLIO on your PC
Find files created by DABLIO
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.
IMPORTANT! Before starting the Automatic Removal below, 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.
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 DABLIO with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for DABLIO and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove DABLIO. 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 DABLIO
Try to Restore Files Encrypted by DABLIO
Ransomware infections and DABLIO 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:
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.
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.
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 DABLIO and remove them.
Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
