This is an article that provides specific details on .KEYPASS files virus as well as a step-by-step removal followed by alternative data recovery approaches.
The so-called .KEYPASS files virus is a ransomware threat of unknown origin. As a typical data locker ransomware it plagues computer systems with the primary purpose to encode important files stored on their drives and enable hackers to blackmail victims into paying a ransom for a decryption key. Files corrupted by this threat are renamed with the distinctive extension .KEYPASS. The access to their data is restricted due to modifications of their code. Upon encryption a ransom message kept in the file !!!KEYPASS_DECRYPTION_INFO!!!.txt appears on the screen to demand a ransom payment of $300.
Threat Summary
| Name | .KEYPASS Files Virus |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | A data locker ransomware that utilizes strong cihper algorithm to encrypt valuable files stored on the infected computer. Upon encryption a ransom message blacmails victims into paying a ransom of $300 for a decryption key. |
| Symptoms | Important files are locked and renamed with .KEYPASS extension. The access to their information remains blocked until an efficient recovery tool reverses their original code. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Detection Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by .KEYPASS Files Virus Download Malware Removal Tool | User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss .KEYPASS 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. |
.KEYPASS Files Virus – Distribution
Security researchers detected that ongoing campaigns are spreading .KEYPASS ransomware payload worldwide. The infection code of .KEYPASS files virus may be spread with the help of malspam e-mail campaigns. E-mails used for malicious purposes usually contain one or more of the following components:
- A link that lands on compromised web page set to download and execute the infection file directly on the PC.
- A malicious file attachment masked as a legitimate document and uploaded in a .rar or .zip archive. Such a file could be set to evade detection and this way tricks you into allowing the ransomware to start on your PC.
As reported by users infected by .KEYRASS ransomware some of the products uploaded on the malicious website cracksfiles.com are also set to distribute the infection files of the threat. Eventually, once opened on a computer, files downloaded by this website infect it with the ransomware. The bad news is that this website is likely to be just one of many other unknown compromised websites that distribute .KEYPASS crypto virus.
In addition, fake software installers, fake update notifications, compromised software setups, files shared on forums and other techniques may download and activate the ransomware module.
.KEYPASS Files Virus – Infection Overview
An infection with .KEYPASS files virus leads to corrupted system settings and data encryption. Once the ransomware payload is executed on the system it initiates a sequence of malicious operations that enable it to complete the attack to its very end.
When loaded for the first time on the computer .KEYPASS files virus creates a copy of its executable file and places it in the following folder:
- %AppData%
Then it launches the newly created file and deletes the initial file version from the original location. The ransomware is also likely to create or drop additional malicious files on the system. And there are several other folders that may store associated malicious files:
- %AppData%
- %Local%
- %LocalLow%
- %Roaming%
- %Temp%
- %Windows%
Once all malicious files are established the ransomware is ready to implement some changes that ensure its persistent presence on the system. These changes mostly affect the registry sub-keys Run and RunOnce. This could be explained by the fact that these keys manage the automatic execution of all essential files and objects that support the normal system load on its start. By manipulating their functionalities .KEYPASS virus takes the advantage to execute automatically its malicious files on each system start. Which in turn leads to the corruption of all files created before the last system shut down.
After all infection stages are competed the ransomware drops a file called !!!KEYPASS_DECRYPTION_INFO!!!.txt on the device. This file contains a ransom message left by hackers and all it reads is:
Attention!
All your files, documents, photos, databases and other important files are encrypted and have the extension: .KEYPASS
The only method of recovering files is to purchase an decrypt software and unique private key.
After purchase you will start decrypt software, enter your unique private key and it will decrypt all your data.
Only we can give you this key and only we can recover your files.
You need to contact us by e-mail [email protected] send us your personal ID and wait for further instructions.
For you to be sure, that we can decrypt your files – you can send us a 1-3 any not very big encrypted files and we will send you back it in a original form FREE.
Price for decryption $300.
This price avaliable if you contact us first 72 hours.
E-mail address to contact us:
[email protected]
Reserve e-mail address to contact us
[email protected]
Your personal id:
[redacted 40 alpha]
It becomes clear that hackers hope that you will contact them and pay a ransom of $300. However, we strongly advise you to refrain from these actions and attempt to overcome the problem by yourself. You can do this with the help of the removal guide at the end. It presents steps on how to clean all harmful files from the system and how to potentially restore some of the encrypted files.
.KEYPASS Files Virus – Data Encryption Process
The primary purpose of .KEYPASS crypto virus alike each other data locker ransomware is data encryption. When it reaches this stage of the infection the ransomware triggers its built-in encryption module that uses the symmetric algorithm AES-256 to change parts of the original code of target files.
This stage begins with a scan of predefined system drives for target types of files and ends with the corruption of all files that match all parameters set in the code. As a result, the access to valuable files remains restricted until an efficient recovery tool reverts their original code. All of the following types of data may be encrypted by .KEYPASS files virus:
- Audio files
- Video files
- Document files
- Image files
- Backup files
- Banking credentials, etc
The analysis of threat’s samples reveal that files stored in the following folders remain untouched and safe:
- C:\Windows\
- C:\Program Files \Mozilla Firefox\
- C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\
- C:\Program Files\Google\
- D:\Windows\
- D:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\
- D:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\
- D:\Program Files\Google\
In fact, the name of this ransomware is a derivative of the distinctive extension it uses to mark corrupted files – .KEYPASS. An additional impact caused by the threat may be the deletion of Shadow Volume Copies from the Windows operating system. This happens after the following command is run in the command prompt pannel:
→vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all /Quiet
With this command, the ransomware aims to eliminate one of the prominent ways of data recovery. Happily, there are other alternative methods that may help you to restore a few to all of your .KEYPASS files. Find some of them int he guide that follows.
Remove .KEYPASS Files Virus and Restore Data
Below you could find how to remove .KEYPASS crypto virus step by step. To manually remove this ransomware you need to have a bit of technical experience and ability to recognize traits of malware files. Beware that ransomware is a threat with highly complex code that plagues not only your files but your whole system. So as recommended by security researchers you need to utilize an advanced anti-malware tool for its complete removal. Such a tool will keep your system protected against devastating threats like .KEYPASS virus and other kinds of malware that endanger your online security.
After you remove the ransomware make sure to check the “Restore Files” step listed in the guide below. But before you take any further actions, don’t forget to back up all encrypted files to an external drive in order to prevent their irreversible loss.
To remove .KEYPASS Files Virus follow these steps:
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.
Before starting the Automatic Removal below, 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.
Use SpyHunter to scan for malware and unwanted programs
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for .KEYPASS Files Virus and remove them.
Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
Gergana Ivanova
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.
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Hello, where do I get a sample of the keypass? I’m doing an article for my college and I’m looking for a sample but I do not think anywhere, could you help me?