This article has been created to help you remove the heineken@tuta.io variant of CryptConsole ransomware and show you how you can decrypt files that have been encrypted by this ransomware on your computer.
A new variant of the CryptConsole ransomware virus has been detected by cybersecurity researchers. The malawre now uses the e-mail heineken@tuta.io as a name of the files, that are encrypted by it, however it still drops the same README.txt ransom note on the computers of victims to convince them into paying ransom to get the encrypted files to work again. Unfortunately for the cyber-criminals, the ransomware is now decryptable and you can recover your files for free if you keep reading this article.
Threat Summary
| Name | heineken@tuta.io Files Virus |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | Aims to encrypt the files on the victim’s computer and then set a random file name, which includes the e-mail heineken@tutanota.io. |
| Symptoms | Files are no longer openable and are renamed plus contain the heineken@tuta.io file extension and a README.txt ransom note, asking victims to pay hefty ransom in BitCoin to get the files decrypted and working. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executable files |
| Detection Tool |
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Malware Removal Tool
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss heineken@tuta.io Files 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. |
heineken@tuta.io Files Virus –How Does It Infect
This variant of CryptConsole ransomware may use more than one methods to find itself on the computers of victims. The main method which is used by most CryptConsole ransomware variants, including heineken@tuta.io may be malicious e-mail spam messages, also known as malspam. Such e-mails aim to convince victims into believing that they come from legitimate people or companies and they aim to get victims to download a malicious attachments, posing as receipts, invoices or other urgent documents. The crooks often use deceptive tactics to convince the victims:
In addition to via e-mail, the criminals may take advantage of PUPs (potentially unwanted programs), like adware or browser hijackers, that aim to cause a browser redirect to a malicious URL, causing the infection via a JavaScript – induced drive-by download.
Besides these, there are passive methods that are also often used by the cyber-criminals who are behind this virus and those methods usually include uploading the infection file on software websites. There, it may pose as legitimate software, such as:
- Setup of a program
- Activator of software.
- Keygen for activation.
- Cracks for software or games.
- Patches.
- Portable apps or versions of such.
heineken@tutanota.io – Activity
The heineken@tuta.io files ransomware is a variant of the CryptConsole viruses, which basically is a ransomware that is available for purchase or download in the deep web marketplace. From there, anyone who downloads the malware may modify it according to their needs. This is known as ransomware as a service (RaaS) and it is done to make money for the malware author of this virus, whether it is done by selling the malware or simply taking percentage of BitCoins paid from ransom.
The main files that are associated with the heineken@tuta.io, may be the following payload files, detected in other variants as well, but under different file names:
- smss.exe
- svchost.exe
- csrss.exe
- lsass.exe
After the heineken@tuta.io virus has dropped the above mentioned payload files, the malware may perform privilege elevation techniques that allow it to create mutexes, modify system files of Windows and last but not least, set the encryption module of the heineken@tuta.io virus to run automatically when your boot Windows. This is done by adding a registry value in the following Windows registry sub-keys:
→ 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
Furthermore, the ransomware may also focus on deleting the backed up files on your computers. These are known as shadow volume copies and they are mirror files that can be recovered easily with Windows System Recovery. To delete those, the heineken@tuta.io may execute a script that may enter the following commands to disable Windows Recovery and delete those shadow volume copies:
→ sc stop VVS
sc stop wscsvc
sc stop WinDefend
sc stop wuauserv
sc stop BITS
sc stop ERSvc
sc stop WerSvc
cmd.exe /C bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled No
cmd.exe /C bcdedit /set {default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures
C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe” /C vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet
After doing so, the ransomware may also show it’s README.txt ransom note to the victim, which ususally asks to contact the crooks via their e-mail and negotiate the future of your files, which is not advisable, because the CrytptConsole family of viruses are all decryptable.
heineken@tuta.io Ransomware -Encryption
In order to make it possible for the files on your computer to no longer be able to be opened, the heineken@tuta.io virus scans for them after which starts to encrypt them based on a pre-set list of file extensions, which often consists of files that are regularly used, like:
→ “PNG .PSD .PSPIMAGE .TGA .THM .TIF .TIFF .YUV .AI .EPS .PS .SVG .INDD .PCT .PDF .XLR .XLS .XLSX .ACCDB .DB .DBF .MDB .PDB .SQL .APK .APP .BAT .CGI .COM .EXE .GADGET .JAR .PIF .WSF .DEM .GAM .NES .ROM .SAV CAD Files .DWG .DXF GIS Files .GPX .KML .KMZ .ASP .ASPX .CER .CFM .CSR .CSS .HTM .HTML .JS .JSP .PHP .RSS .XHTML. DOC .DOCX .LOG .MSG .ODT .PAGES .RTF .TEX .TXT .WPD .WPS .CSV .DAT .GED .KEY .KEYCHAIN .PPS .PPT .PPTX ..INI .PRF Encoded Files .HQX .MIM .UUE .7Z .CBR .DEB .GZ .PKG .RAR .RPM .SITX .TAR.GZ .ZIP .ZIPX .BIN .CUE .DMG .ISO .MDF .TOAST .VCD SDF .TAR .TAX2014 .TAX2015 .VCF .XML Audio Files .AIF .IFF .M3U .M4A .MID .MP3 .MPA .WAV .WMA Video Files .3G2 .3GP .ASF .AVI .FLV .M4V .MOV .MP4 .MPG .RM .SRT .SWF .VOB .WMV 3D .3DM .3DS .MAX .OBJ R.BMP .DDS .GIF .JPG ..CRX .PLUGIN .FNT .FON .OTF .TTF .CAB .CPL .CUR .DESKTHEMEPACK .DLL .DMP .DRV .ICNS .ICO .LNK .SYS .CFG”
After this variant of CryptConsole ransomware has been engaged into usage, and encrypts your files, they no longer look the same and are completely renamed with the e-mail heineken@tuta.io at the start of their file names. The files may start to look like the image below shows:
How to Remove Heineken@tuta.io Virus and Decrypt Files Without Paying
If you want to get rid of the heineken@tuta.io version of CryptConsole ransomware, we urge you to follow the removal instructions below. If manual removal does not seem to help, be advised that according to security analysts the best method to remove this virus is automatically with the aid of an advanced anti-malware software. Such tool will effectively scan your computer for malicious files and make sure that it is completely protected from those by removing them and setting up real-time protection in the future.
Furthermore, after removing this variant of CryptConsole ransomware, you can follow the “Decryption Instructions for CryptConsole Ransomware” underneath as they have information how to use the CryptConsole Decrypter by Michael Gillespie (demonslay335) to restore your files for free.
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.
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Attention! SensorsTechForum strongly recommends that all malware victims should look for assistance only by reputable sources. Many guides out there claim to offer free recovery and decryption for files encrypted by ransomware viruses. Be advised that some of them may only be after your money.
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.
- Guide 1: How to Remove heineken@tuta.io Files Virus from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of heineken@tuta.io Files Virus from Mac OS X.
How to Remove heineken@tuta.io Files Virus from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove heineken@tuta.io Files Virus
Step 2: Uninstall heineken@tuta.io Files Virus and related software 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 uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by heineken@tuta.io Files Virus 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 heineken@tuta.io Files Virus 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: Scan for heineken@tuta.io Files Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by heineken@tuta.io Files Virus.
Ransomware infections and heineken@tuta.io Files Virus 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 top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Get rid of heineken@tuta.io Files Virus from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall heineken@tuta.io Files Virus and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove heineken@tuta.io Files Virus via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 3 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by heineken@tuta.io Files Virus.
Ransomware infections and heineken@tuta.io Files Virus 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 top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
heineken@tuta.io Files Virus FAQ
What is heineken@tuta.io Files Virus ransomware and how does it work?
heineken@tuta.io Files Virus 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 algorithm how 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.
How does heineken@tuta.io Files Virus ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.heineken@tuta.io Files Virus Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing e-mails, 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.
After you download and execute this attachment, a drive-by download occurs and your computer is infected with the ransomware virus.
Another way, you may become a victim of heineken@tuta.io Files Virus 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 .heineken@tuta.io Files Virus files?
You can't. At this point the .heineken@tuta.io Files Virus files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted.
Decryptor did not decrypt my data. What now?
Do not panic and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your .heineken@tuta.io Files Virus files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by heineken@tuta.io Files Virus ransomware is to use a decryptor for it. But since it's a new virus, advised that the decryption keys for it may not be out yet and available to the public. We will update this article and keep you posted as soon as this decryptor is released.
How Do I restore ".heineken@tuta.io Files Virus" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .heineken@tuta.io Files Virus files.
These methods are in no way 100% guarantee that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How do I get rid of heineken@tuta.io Files Virus ransomware virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti malware software. It will scan for and locate heineken@tuta.io Files Virus ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .heineken@tuta.io Files Virus files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like heineken@tuta.io Files Virus ransomware also install Trojans and keyloggers that can steal your passwords and accounts. Scanning your computer with an anti-malware software will make sure that all of these virus components are removed and your computer is protected in the future.
What to Do If nothing works?
There is still a lot you can do. If none of the above methods seem to work for you, then try these methods:
- Try to find a safe computer from where you can can login on your own line accounts like One Drive, iDrive, Google Drive and so on.
- Try to contact your friends, relatives and other people so that they can check if they have some of your important photos or documents just in case you sent them.
- Also, check if some of the files that were encrypted it can be re-downloaded from the web.
- Another clever way to get back some of your files is to find another old computer, a flash drive or even a CD or a DVD where you may have saved your older documents. You might be surprised what will turn up.
- You can also go to your email account to check if you can send any attachments to other people. Usually what is sent the email is saved on your account and you can re-download it. But most importantly, make sure that this is done from a safe computer and make sure to remove the virus first.
More tips you can find on our forums, where you can also asks any questions about your ransomware problem.
How to 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.
