The .forasom ransomware is a confirmed new sample that is descendant from the STOP/DJVu malware family. Like other similar threats it is distributed using the most popular tactics. One of them relies on the creation and coordination of email SPAM messages which are modeled after the notifications that have been sent in by well-known companies and services.
A similar mechanism is the creation of malware sites that will appear as legitimate Internet pages that are known to the victims: search engines, landing pages, download portals and etc. They are to be hosted on similar sounding domain names and may even include self-signed or stolen security certificates.
To aid the distribution of the virus threat the associated code can be built into various payload carriers. Like other similar STOP family threats it is designed to launch a series of dangerous components. A popular example is the starting up of a data harvesting module which can acquire sensitive information both about the victims and their computers. This allows the hackers to carry out crimes such as identity theft and financial abuse. The machine information can be used by the built-in algorithm in order to create an unique ID which is to be assigned to each compromised machine. This data can be used further by another component called security bypass.
When the system has been bypassed it will continue with the other system changes. They will include the reconfiguration of the operating system so that the .forasom ransomware will be started every time the computer is powered on. This is followed by Windows Registry changes which can disable many important functions of the operating system and third-party installed applications. This can also lead to problems when using the computers, data loss and serious performance issues. Take note that STOP ransomware variants may also deploy other threats to the compromised machines: Trojans, miners and hijackers.
As soon as all key components have finished running the actual file encryption will start. Following the well-known STOP virus family code base a built-in strong cipher will target user data according to a list of target file type extensions. Such lists include the following user data: backups, databases, images, music, videos, archives and etc.
All victim files will be renamed with the .forasom extension. Like other similar threats a lockscreen or ransomware note will be created in order to coerce the victims to pay the criminals a decryption fee.
Threat Summary
| Name | .forasom Ransomware |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | The ransomware encrypts files on your computer machine and demands a ransom to be paid to allegedly restore them. |
| Symptoms | The ransomware will blackmail the victims to pay them a decryption fee. Sensitive user data may be encrypted by the ransomware code. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Detection Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by .forasom Ransomware Download Malware Removal Tool | User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss .forasom Ransomware. |
| 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. |
.forasom Ransomware – What Does It Do?
.forasom Ransomware could spread its infection in various ways. A payload dropper which initiates the malicious script for this ransomware is being spread around the Internet. .forasom Ransomware might also distribute its payload file on social media and file-sharing services. Freeware which is found on the Web can be presented as helpful also be hiding the malicious script for the cryptovirus. Read the tips for ransomware prevention from our forum.
.forasom Ransomware is a cryptovirus that encrypts your files and shows a window with instructions on your computer screen. The extortionists want you to pay a ransom for the alleged restoration of your files. The main engine could make entries in the Windows Registry to achieve persistence, and interfere with processes in Windows.
The .forasom Ransomware is a crypto virus programmed to encrypt user data. As soon as all modules have finished running in their prescribed order the lockscreen will launch an application frame which will prevent the users from interacting with their computers. It will display the ransomware note to the victims.
You should NOT under any circumstances pay any ransom sum. Your files may not get recovered, and nobody could give you a guarantee for that.
The .forasom Ransomware cryptovirus could be set to erase all the Shadow Volume Copies from the Windows operating system with the help of the following command:
→vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all /Quiet
If your computer device was infected with this ransomware and your files are locked, read on through to find out how you could potentially restore your files back to normal.
.forasom Files Virus – Update
The good news for all victims of STOP .forasom ransomware is that the security researcher Michael Gillespie has found a flaw in the code of this variant and released an updated version of his STOP ransomware decrypter.
So the moment you remove all malicious files and objects from your infected system you can enter our data recovery guide where you will find a download link for the free .forasom decryption tool and learn how to proceed with the decryption process.
Have in mind that the tool is designed to support specific offline IDs, so it may not be effective for all occasions of .forasom ransomware infections.
Remove .forasom Ransomware
If your computer system got infected with the .forasom Files 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.
Martin Beltov
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.
Follow Me:
- Guide 1: How to Remove .forasom Ransomware from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of .forasom Ransomware from Mac OS X.
How to Remove .forasom Ransomware from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove .forasom Ransomware
Step 2: Uninstall .forasom Ransomware 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 .forasom Ransomware 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 .forasom Ransomware 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 .forasom Ransomware with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .forasom Ransomware.
Ransomware infections and .forasom Ransomware 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.
If the above link does not work for you and your region, try the other two links below, that lead to the same product:
Get rid of .forasom Ransomware from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall .forasom Ransomware 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 .forasom Ransomware 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 2: Scan for and remove .forasom Ransomware files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as .forasom Ransomware, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. Combo Cleaner offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Step 3 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .forasom Ransomware on your Mac.
Ransomware for Mac .forasom Ransomware aims to encode all your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decode, unless you pay money. This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files, but only in some cases. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
