What Is Karma Virus
Karma virus is the kind of malware, known as ransomware. This means that it enters your computer and encrypts your files, holding them hostage until a ransom has been paid. This particular virus changes the structures of the files, adding the .KARMA file extension after their original one and dropping an extortionist ransom note, called KARMA-ENCRYPTED.txt. Not only this but also the Karma virus is responsible for other malicious activities that may be harmful to your computer.
Read this article to learn more on Karma ransomware and how to remove it from your computer completely.
Karma Summary
| Name | Karma |
| File Extension | .KARMA |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | The ransomware encrypts files on your computer system and demands a ransom to be paid to allegedly recover them. |
| Symptoms | The KARMA ransomware will encrypt your files by appending the .KARMA extension to them. |
| Ransom Demanding Note | KARMA-ENCRYPTED.txt |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Karma. |
KARMA Virus – What We Know About It
KARMA ransomware is a typical ransomware virus. Other viruses like it we have recently seen to appear include .WIZOZ, .L47 and .guer. These viruses all have something in common – the methods they use to infect a certain computer. Generally viruses, like KARMA may end up on your machine via one of the two main ways:
- If the infection file is masked as an app offered free for download online, but instead of a free app, you download and run the infection.
- If it is sent to you as e-mail documents that claim to be legitimate, like invoices, aircraft tickets, and others.
Once KARMA virus has already conducted an infection, this ransomware may connect to a remote C&C server and drop its following files on your machine. They could be located in the following Windows directories:
- %System%
- %system32%
- %Roaming%
- %Local%
- %AppData%
- %LocalLow%
- %Temp%
- %ProgramData%
- %Windows%
KARMA virus may them use those virus files to perform the following malicious activities on your computer system without you even realizing it:
- Run as administator.
- Obtain read and write authorizations.
- Analyze If it has infected your computer system previously and if so deletes itself.
- Establish a connection with the cyber-criminals running it.
- Creating Windows registry entries in the “Run” or “RunOnce” Registry sub-keys.
Then, the virus may begin to look for the files to encrypt. The files that are set for encryption most often are from the following kinds:
- Archives.
- Anything conserved in a USB or other drive.
- Back-ups.
- Videos.
- Pictures.
- Docs.
- Music.
- Databases.
KARMA ransomware may then leave the files looking like the following:
New Text Document.txt.KARMA
After encryption the virus drops its ransom note file and makes sure that you notice it. It is left in a KARMA-ENCRYPTED.txt and people have reported that it contains the following extortion message:
Your network has been breached by Karma ransomware group.
We have extracted valuable or sensitive data from your network and encrypted the data on your systems.Decryption is only possible with a private key that only we posses.
Our group’s only aim is to financially benefit from our brief acquaintance,this is a guarantee that we will do what we promise.
Scamming is just bad for business in this line of work.Contact us to negotiate the terms of reversing the damage we have done and deleting the data we have downloaded.
We advise you not to use any data recovery tools without leaving copies of the initial encrypted file.
You are risking irreversibly damaging the file by doing this.If we are not contacted or if we do not reach an agreement we will leak your data to journalists and publish it on our website.
hxxp://3nvzqyo6l4wkrzumzu5aod7zbosq4ipgf7ifgj3hsvbcr5vcasordvqd.onion/If a ransom is payed we will provide the decryption key and proof that we deleted you data.
When you contact us we will provide you proof that we can decrypt your files and that we have downloaded your data.How to contact us:
JamesHoopkins1988@onionmail.org
Leslydown1988@tutanota.com
ollivergreen1977@protonmail.com
Keep reading this article to understand different ways to remove the virus and try to recover your files.
Remove Karma Virus and Try to Restore Files
In order to be able to delete the Karma ransomware infection completely from your computer system, we would strongly suggest that you follow the removal manual we have posted under this article. It has been made with the main purpose to help you detect and delete ransomware. For the best removal, it is strongly recommended to remove Karma ransomware from your machine by scanning it using advanced anti-malware software. Such a program is created with the main idea to detect and delete any virus files that may currently be residing on your computer because of Karma ransomware without harming your original files.
Furthermore, if you want to know how to try and restore files, encrypted by Karma ransomware, then we suggest that you try the alternative file recovery methods posted beneath. They have been created with the main purpose to best assist in the recovery of as many files encoded by this virus as possible.
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.
How to Remove Karma from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Karma
Step 2: Uninstall Karma 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 Karma 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 Karma 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 Karma with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Karma.
Ransomware infections and Karma 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 Karma from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Karma 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 Karma 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 Karma.
Ransomware infections and Karma 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.
Karma FAQ
What is Karma ransomware and how does it work?
Karma 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 Karma ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.Karma 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 Karma 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 .Karma files?
You can't. At this point the .Karma 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 .Karma files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by Karma 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 ".Karma" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Karma 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 Karma 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 Karma ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Karma files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like Karma 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.
