NetWalker ransomware is a variant of the Mailto Ransomware family as malware researchers have discovered. NetWalker ransomware which locks files on a computer and demands money to be paid as a ransom for unlocking them.
NetWalker Ransomware (.Mailto Cryptovirus)
NetWalker ransomware is believed to be a variant of the Mailto Ransomware family. The .mailto file extension along with an email address is attached as the extension to all of your files, making them inaccessible. All encrypted files will receive the new extension as a secondary one. The NetWalker ransomware drops a ransom note, which gives instructions to victims on how they can allegedly restore their data by paying a ransom fee.
NetWalker Ransomware Virus
NetWalker Ransomware will encrypt all types of files such as audio, video, pictures, backups, banking data and other personal user files found on a compromised computer system.
Threat Summary
| Name | NetWalker |
| File Extension | .mailto |
| 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 NetWalker ransomware will encrypt your files by appending the .mailto extension to them, along with a unique identification number placing the new .mailto extension as a secondary. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Detection Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by NetWalker Download Malware Removal Tool | User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss NetWalker. |
Netwalker Cryptovirus (Mailto) May 2020 Update
In May 2020 new information became available about the way the Netwalker ransomware infects computers. One of the newer attacks used a new technique called reflective loading which is used for DLL Injection, one of the advanced ways through which viruses are deployed. One of the key differences between it and ordinary ones is that the loading happens from memory. No files are saved on the disk of the devices which guards against discovery by some anti-virus programs.
The Netwalker virus infection is made in a several stage sequence – a PowerShell script is initiated which will download the virus and run it on the system. One of the notable characteristics is that the initial loader code is encrypted, obfuscated and encoded in several layers.
The ransomware will also terminate processes, one of the collected samples shows that the following are affected:
backup, sql, Acronis Agent, ARSM, Server Administrator, Shadow Protect Svc, wbengine, excel.exe, ntrtscan.exe, powerpt.exe, winword.exe and wra.exe
March 2020 Netwalker Cryptovirus Attacks Against Health Organizations
A new attack campaign carrying the NetWalker cryptovirus is currently targeting healthcare organizations. An unknown hacking group is creating email messages which are designed to infiltrate organizations and companies.
This means that the criminals have carefully selected targets so that they match a certain profile. The intention is to deliver the virus through common mechanisms. The first and primary one is to attach the virus file or a malware-infected file directly to the emails. The alternative is to link the ransomware via text links, multimedia files and etc.
NetWalker Ransomware – How Did It Infect My PC and What Happened?
NetWalker ransomware might spread its infection via a payload dropper, which initiates the malicious script for this ransomware. The virus 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.
The ransomware encrypts your files and shows ransomware instructions inside a ransom note that is called ID-Readme.txt as showcased in the picture below:
The note states the following:
Hi!
Your files are encrypted.
All encrypted files for this computer has extension: .1401
—
If for some reason you read this text before the encryption ended,
this can be understood by the fact that the computer slows down,
and your heart rate has increased due to the ability to turn it off,
then we recommend that you move away from the computer and accept that you have been compromised,
rebooting/shutdown will cause you to lose files without the possibility of recovery and even god will not be able to help you,
it could be files on the network belonging to other users, sure you want to take that responsibility?
—
Our encryption algorithms are very strong and your files are very well protected, you can’t hope to recover them without our help.
The only way to get your files back is to cooperate with us and get the decrypter program.
Do not try to recover your files without a decrypt program, you may damage them and then they will be impossible to recover.
We advise you to contact us as soon as possible, otherwise there is a possibility that your files will never be returned.
For us this is just business and to prove to you our seriousness, we will decrypt you some files for free,
but we will not wait for your letter for a long time, mail can be abused, we are moving on, hurry up with the decision.
Сontact us:
1.kazkavkovkiz@cock.li
2.Hariliuios@tutanota.com
Don’t forget to include your code in the email:
{code_1401:smjErehmmb8LN/ANr+7IThQKwUq3HbWCnh6hI5U0QmCXxlLi+E
vx5Fcfp3p4q8GUCIEw9pQzIHugCWZqozxmIES39ohGqXRDXKkv
Ri/rJHtNC3J8BRvrrbqFYkJrDrwLLBBK7127c3qEyJf8EyOXhn
WNQ7dH6oAO6qAejWIE0XH73AqHeQ1hiAeiB3U7vviDKLzYTG9z
V/DoxL9iM4CUbz8ZtVpqeIO7mw0OWcsx5oHkXVqGXg1SziRPKT
d58WyzVj5niEeKrAlRhd9eJb00pEtFcw==}
You should NOT under any circumstances pay any ransom sum.
The extortionists want you to pay a ransom for the alleged restoration of your files, same as with a lot of cryptoviruses. NetWalker ransomware could make entries in the Windows Registry to achieve persistence, and could launch or repress processes in a Windows system. All encrypted will receive the .mailto extension alongside an email address. That extension will be placed as a secondary one to each file. Audio, video, image files as well as documents, backups and banking data can be encrypted by the ransomware.
The NetWalker Ransomware Virus 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.
Remove NetWalker Ransomware Cryptovirus
If your computer got infected with the NetWalker Ransomware, 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.
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How to Remove NetWalker from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove NetWalker
Step 2: Uninstall NetWalker 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 NetWalker 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 NetWalker 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 NetWalker with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by NetWalker.
Ransomware infections and NetWalker 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 NetWalker from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall NetWalker 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 NetWalker 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 NetWalker files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as NetWalker, 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 NetWalker on your Mac.
Ransomware for Mac NetWalker 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.
