Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
Note! Your computer might be affected by .HeroesOftheStorm file virus and other threats.
Threats such as .HeroesOftheStorm file virus 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
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
The .HeroesOftheStorm file virus aims to establish its malicious files on a system, encrypts important data and then blackmails victims into playing the game Heroes of the Storm 24 hours. The threat is classified as a ransomware that is based on the open source code of the project HiddenTear. However, playing Heroes of the Storm does not guarantee decryption of corrupted .HeroesOftheStorm files. Being a ransomware, it is likely to demand a ransom payment for the decryption key.
This article provides more information about .HeroesOftheStorm file virus and guides you through the removal process so you can restore PC and regain corrupted files.
Threat Summary
Name
.HeroesOftheStorm file virus
Type
Ransomware, Cryptovirus
Short Description
Encrypts target files on the infected computer. Demands 24 hours playing on Heroes of the Storm game.
Symptoms
The ransmware drops a ransom note that is contained in the What is it?.txt file.
Distribution Method
Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executable files
Detection Tool
See If Your System Has Been Affected by .HeroesOftheStorm file virus
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 .HeroesOftheStorm Land on the PC?
The .HeroesOftheStorm file virus author can use different methods to distribute the payload. The preferred infection vector is considered to be the spam email messages. Such emails allow hackers to pose as legitimate organizations that are pretending to deliver valuable information that should be seen. Once the email is opened, it may present a message that urges you to click on a web link or download a file attachment. And if you do follow the instructions your PC will get infected with .HeroesOftheStorm file virus. Instant message services can also be used for the distribution of malicious links that lead to web pages with injected malware code.
How Does .HeroesOftheStorm File Virus Corrupts Data?
Being based on the Hidden Tear open source code, this data locker ransomware utilizes the strong AES cipher for data encryption. Like other ransomware based on HiddenTear (ZenCrypt, Unikey, Barrax) .HeroesOftheStorm can seek to encrypt frequently used files of the following types:
It then renames all corrupted files with .HeroesOftheStorm extension. The .HeroesOftheStorm files remain completely unusable until the decryption key is applied to the decryptor. Have in mind that many HiddenTear variants have been cracked by security researchers so there is chance that they will release freely available decryptor soon. Meanwhile, you can try to recover .HeroesOftheStorm files with the help of any alternative data recovery tool provided in the instruction at the end of the article.
How Does .HeroesOftheStorm File Virus Damage the PC?
The file restolocker.exe triggers the ransomware attack once it is running on the system. The malicious executable file can initiate various changes of the system settings. To ensure its persistent presence on the PC .HeroesOftheStorm ransomware can add or modify values in the Windows Registry. The registry keys Run and RunOnce are the main two that are targeted by crypto viruses as they manage all processes that need to be started when the Windows operating system is loaded.
Another frequent target of ransomware is the Shadow Volume Copies that can serve as a backup option in case of data loss. They are automatically created and stored in the system by default. So usually the ransomware accesses the Command Prompt and enters the following command line to erase all Shadow Volume Copies:
→ vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all /quiet
At the end of the attack when all target files are encrypted and marked with the extension .HeroesOftheStorm the threat drops a ransom note file called What is it?.txt on the Desktop. It reads the following:
Hi. I encrypted your personal files. Heroes Of The Storm is the god game. But, people don’t know that. So, I made this program that make people to play Heroes Of The Storm. To dectrypt your files, follow this procedure. First, You have to install Heroes Of The Storm. Second, Play Heroes Of The Storm 24hours. (Only Play Time Will Be Recorded) NOW, Let’s play the King God Emperor General Chungmoogong Majesty Game HEROES OF THE STORM *Warning* Do NOT KILL This Program and Computer.
In addition the .HeroesOftheStorm crypto virus can replace the desktop wallpaper with the following image:
According to the ransom message attackers‘ demand from you to install Heroes of the Storm and play the game 24 hours. Eventually, after completing the challenge all .HeroesOftheStorm will be decrypted. However, there is no guarantee this will happen as it seems that the threat is in development. Even if it does, all ransomware files and objects remain on the machine. Thus on the next boot up, all your files can be encrypted again. Then hackers will be able to extort a ransom in Bitcoins from you.
Remove .HeroesOftheStorm File Virus and Restore Data
The .HeroesOftheStorm File Virus should be eliminated as soon as possible from the infected system. Otherwise, it has the chance to spread itself to all devices that are connected to the same network as the infected machine. The detailed guide below provides .HeroesOftheStorm ransomware removal instructions. After the removal backup all encrypted files and check step “Restore files encrypted by .HeroesOftheStorm file virus” for alternative data recovery solutions.
Note! Your computer system may be affected by .HeroesOftheStorm file virus 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 .HeroesOftheStorm file virus. 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 .HeroesOftheStorm file virus follow these steps:
1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove .HeroesOftheStorm file virus 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 .HeroesOftheStorm file virus on your PC
Find files created by .HeroesOftheStorm file virus
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.
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 .HeroesOftheStorm file virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for .HeroesOftheStorm file virus and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove .HeroesOftheStorm file virus. 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 .HeroesOftheStorm file virus
Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .HeroesOftheStorm file virus
Ransomware infections and .HeroesOftheStorm file virus 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:
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
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 .HeroesOftheStorm file virus and remove them.
Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
