This article has been created in order to help you by showing you how to remove the .excuses ransomware virus and how to restore files, encrypted by it on your computer.
A ransomware infection, going by the name .excuses has been detected by malware researchers. The virus’s primary purpose is to encrypt the files, primarily in Russian-speaking countries and then leave behind a ransom note file, called “MESSAGE.txt” which contains ransom instructions on how to contact them on excuses@protonmail.com and negotiate what must be paid to get the files back. If your computer has been infected by the .excuses files virus, recommendations are to follow the instructions underneath in order to remove this ransomware infection from your PC and try to restore files encrypted by it.
Threat Summary
Name | .excuses Files Virus |
Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
Short Description | The ransomware aims to encrypt files on your computer and set the .excuses file extension to the encrypted files. |
Symptoms | Files are encrypted with the .excuses suffix added to them and a ransom note, called MESSAGE.txt. |
Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executable files |
Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss .excuses 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. |
.excuses Files Virus – Spread
In order to infect computers of victims, the ransomware virus may use malicious files which can come on your computer while pretending to be legitimate type of files, such as:
- Invoices.
- Receipts of orders.
- Letters of confirmation.
- Banking notifications.
These files may be sent to you via suspicious e-mails that pretend to be legitimate e-mails which seem as if they come from big companies, like PayPal, DHL or other big names.
In addition to this, the ransomware may infect your computer as a result of pretending to be a legitimate setup of a program, game patch, crack or key generator.
.excuse Files Virus – How Does It Work
The .excuses files virus is the type of ransomware to encrypt the files on your computer and then extort victims for profits. To do this, the .excuses ransomware may begin to drop it’s malicious files on the computers of victims, primarily in the following Windows directories:
→ %AppData%
%Local%
%LocalLow%
%Roaming%
%Temp%
Among the dropped files on the victim’s computer is the actual ransom note, which is called MESSAGE.txt and is written in Russian. The note asks to contact the criminals on their e-mail execute@protonmail.com. The note has the following contents:
Приобрести декриптор можно до 02.04.2018
Запросить стоимость: excuses@protonmail.comВ ТЕМЕ письма укажите ваш ID: [redacted numbers] Письма без указания ID игнорируются.
Убедительная просьба не пытаться расшифровать файлы сторонними инструментами.
Вы можете их окончательно испортить и даже оригинальный декриптор не поможет.Заявки обрабатываются автоматической системой.
In addition to this, the .excuses files virus may also create malicious files on your computer system, which may be copies of itself. The ransomware may also create mutants and also interfere with the following Windows registry sub-keys by adding registry value strings:
→ HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
This may result in the virus running automatically as soon as you boot your computer and log in Windows.
.excuses Ransomware – Encryption Process
In order to encode the files on your computer system, the .excuses ransomware virus may begin to use encryption techniques that alter parts of data In the file itself, such as the file header or blocks of data in the file itself. This may result in the files becoming no longer openable and starting to appear like the following image:
For the encryption process, the .excuses ransomware may also whitelist some specific Windows folders to skip encrypting files in them, since the virus may damage your OS as a result of that.
Remove .excuses Files Virus and Restore Your Encrypted Documents
In order to fully remove this virus either manually or automatically, based on your experience In malware removal, we advise you to follow the removal instructions underneath. For maximum effectiveness, be advised that researchers strongly recommend to download an advanced anti-malware program. It aims to help you to fully delete all the related malicious files and objects to the .excuses files virus and to protect your PC against future threats as well.
If you want to restore files that have been encrypted by this infection on your PC, we recommend that you follow the instructions underneath this article in step “2. Restore files encrypted by .excuses Files Virus”. They are created so that they can help you to restore as many files as possible although they are not 100% guarantee you will be able to recover all the data.
- Step 1
- Step 2
- Step 3
- Step 4
- Step 5
Step 1: Scan for .excuses Files Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall .excuses Files Virus 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:
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by .excuses 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 .excuses Files Virus there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
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 .excuses Files Virus
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .excuses Files Virus.
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 .excuses 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 the top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
.excuses Files Virus-FAQ
What is .excuses Files Virus Ransomware?
.excuses 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 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 .excuses Files Virus 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 .excuses Files Virus Infect?
Via several ways..excuses Files Virus 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 .excuses 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 ..excuses Files Virus files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the ..excuses Files Virus 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 ..excuses Files Virus files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore "..excuses Files Virus" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore ..excuses Files Virus 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 .excuses Files Virus 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 .excuses Files Virus ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important ..excuses Files Virus 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 .excuses Files Virus 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 .excuses Files Virus Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this .excuses Files Virus 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 .excuses Files Virus 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.
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- Always check "About Us" web page.
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