This article has been created to help you by explaining how to remove the .omerta file extension ransomware and how to restore renamed and encrypted files by it.
A new virus, believed to be yet another evolutin of the Scarab ransomware has been detected by security researchers. The malware reportedly uses the .omerta file extension and renames the files upon encryption. It then adds a ransom note, called “READ THIS IF YOU WANT TO GET ALL YOUR FILES BACK.TXT”. In the note, the crooks basically extort the victims to pay a hefty ransom fee in order to get their files recovered back to their normal working state. In the events that your computer has been infected by the .omerta files ransomware, we advise that you read this article and learn how you can remove this ransomware and how to restore files that are encrypted by it without having to pay ransom.
Threat Summary
| Name | .omerta Files Virus |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | Aims to encrypt the files on the infected computer and then ask the victim to pay ransom to get them to work again. |
| Symptoms | The files on the infected PC are encrypted with an added .omerta file extension. A ransom note, called READ THIS IF YOU WANT TO GET ALL YOUR FILES BACK.TXT is dropped. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executable files |
| 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 .omerta 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. |
.omerta Files Virus — October 2019 Update
The .omerta Files Virus has received a new update as new samples carrying it have been detected. It is probably being sent by a new hacking collective which has edited out the former samples and has created a new release. While the samples are not large in size it is anticipated that this means that there is a renewed interest in this malware family by both inexperienced and experienced criminal collective. Like the previous samples it will assign the .omerta extension and include the contact email address in the extension string. The hackers behind this new release use the patern32@protonmail.com email contact address.
.omerta Files Virus – Infection Methods
The main method which is used by the .omerta files ransomware is to infect user computers with the aid of obfuscated malicious files. These types of files may be encountered within different spam e-mails, which often pretend to be legitimate however are not. The e-mails that may contain the malicious file attachments may pretend to be invoices, receipts and other types of seemingly legitimate files. The e-mails accompanying them are very cunning and aim to deceive the victim to open the attachment by stressing out how important it is.
In addition to via e-mails, the ransomware virus may also come as various different types of files which may only pretend that they are legitimate but in reality however, the malicious files are obfuscated and slither while unnoticed on the victim’s computer. The most often imitated types of files are believed to be:
- Setups.
- Cracks.
- Patches.
- License Activators.
- Key generators or keygens.
.omerta Files Virus – More Information
Once the .omerta files virus has infected your computer, the malware may start to drop it’s malicious payload on the computers of victims. The payload may reside in the following folders:
- %AppData%
- %Local%
- %LocalLow%
- %Roaming%.
- %Temp%
Among the files dropped by the .omerta virus is also it’s ransom note, called READ THIS IF YOU WANT TO GET YOUR FILES BACK.TXT and according to malware researcher demonslay335 it has the following contents:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
| |
| *** IF YOU WANT TO GET ALL YOUR FILES BACK, PLEASE READ THIS *** |
|__________________________________________________________________________________________________|Your files are now encrypted!
—–BEGIN PERSONAL IDENTIFIER—–
—–END PERSONAL IDENTIFIER—–
All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC.
Now you should send us email with your personal identifier.
This email will be as confirmation you are ready to pay for decryption key.
You have to pay for decryption in BITCOINS. The price depends on how fast you write to us.
After payment we will send you the decryption tool that will decrypt all your files.Contact us using this email address: XAVAX@PM.ME
Free decryption as guarantee!
Before paying you can send us up to 3 files for free decryption.
The total size of files must be less than 10Mb (non archived), and files should not contain
valuable information (databases, backups, large excel sheets, etc.).
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
| |
| Attention! |
| |
| * Do not rename encrypted files. |
| * Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss. |
| * Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price |
| (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam. |
| |
|__________________________________________________________________________________________________|
The virus’s infection activity may consist of different types of actions which include the creating of mutants and the tampering with system processes of Windows. In addition to this, the ransomware virus may also create registry entries in the Run and RunOnce Windows Registry sub-keys, with the following locations:
→ 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
Furthermore, the .omerta files virus may also start to delete the shadow volume copies of the infected machine, which results in the user not able to recover his or her files by using Windows Recovery. The deletion may happen by running a batch script whose main goal is to run the following commands as an administrator:
→ sc stop VVS
sc stop wscsvc
sc stop WinDefend
sc stop wuauserv
sc stop BITS
sc stop ERSvc
sc stop WerSvc
cmd.exe /C bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled No
cmd.exe /C bcdedit /set {default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures
C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe” /C vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet
.omerta – Encryption Procedure
The encryption process of this believed-to-be evolved variant of Scarab ransomware is devastating. The ransomware uses an advanced encryption mode to encrypt the following types of files:
- Databases.
- Backups.
- Microsoft Office and other types of documents.
- Images.
- Videos.
- Archives.
- Other valuable files.
After the encryption process, the .omerta files virus uses an obnoxious file name which is randomly generated to additionally scramble the encrypted files and for a file extension, the malware ads the e-mail of it’s authors XAVAX@PM.ME plus the file suffix .omerta. The files look disgustingly random after the encryption and can no longer be opened:
This is because the ransomware may use a combination of RSA+AES encryption algorithm which changes the core structure of the files in question, generating what appears to be a decryption key which is known only by the cyber-criminals.
Remove .omerta Files Virus and Restore Encrypted Files
In order to remove this ransomware infection from your computer, we strongly suggest that you follow the removal instructions underneath this article. They have been created in order to best help you remove this ransomware virus from your computer by explaining to your how to delete it either manually or automatically. For maximum effectiveness, be advised that security experts do advise to download and install and advanced anti-malware software. Such tool will effectively scan your computer for malware and remove it plus make sure to protect your PC automatically against different types of malicious software and intrusive programs.
If you want to restore files that have been encrypted by this ransomware infection on your computer, we would suggest to try the alternative methods and tools for file recovery we have suggested in step “2. Restore files, encrypted by .omerta Files Virus” below. They may not be 100% guarantee to be able to recover all of your encrypted files, but they may help you to restore most of them, if you are in luck.
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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Step 1: Scan for .omerta Files Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall .omerta Files Virus and related malware 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 delete most unwanted and malicious programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by .omerta Files Virus 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 .omerta Files Virus 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: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove .omerta Files Virus
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .omerta Files Virus.
Method 1: Use STOP Decrypter by Emsisoft.
Not all variants of this ransomware can be decrypted for free, but we have added the decryptor used by researchers that is often updated with the variants which become eventually decrypted. You can try and decrypt your files using the instructions below, but if they do not work, then unfortunately your variant of the ransomware virus is not decryptable.
Follow the instructions below to use the Emsisoft decrypter and decrypt your files for free. You can download the Emsisoft decryption tool linked here and then follow the steps provided below:
1 Right-click on the decrypter and click on Run as Administrator as shown below:
2. Agree with the license terms:
3. Click on "Add Folder" and then add the folders where you want files decrypted as shown underneath:
4. Click on "Decrypt" and wait for your files to be decoded.
Note: Credit for the decryptor goes to Emsisoft researchers who have made the breakthrough with this virus.
Method 2: Use data recovery software
Ransomware infections and .omerta Files Virus 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 the top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
.omerta Files Virus-FAQ
What is .omerta Files Virus Ransomware?
.omerta Files Virus 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 algorithms 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.
What Does .omerta Files Virus Ransomware Do?
Ransomware in general is a malicious software that is designed to block access to your computer or files until a ransom is paid.
Ransomware viruses can also damage your system, corrupt data and delete files, resulting in the permanent loss of important files.
How Does .omerta Files Virus Infect?
Via several ways..omerta Files Virus Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing emails, 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.
Another way you may become a victim of .omerta Files Virus 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 ..omerta Files Virus files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the ..omerta Files Virus files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted using a specific decryption key for the particular algorithm.
What to Do If a Decryptor Does Not Work?
Do not panic, and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your ..omerta Files Virus files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore "..omerta Files Virus" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore ..omerta Files Virus files.
These methods are in no way 100% guaranteed that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How To Get Rid of .omerta Files Virus Virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti-malware program.
It will scan for and locate .omerta Files Virus ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important ..omerta Files Virus files.
Can I 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.
Can You Stop Ransomware from Encrypting Your Files?
Yes, you can prevent ransomware. The best way to do this is to ensure your computer system is updated with the latest security patches, use a reputable anti-malware program and firewall, backup your important files frequently, and avoid clicking on malicious links or downloading unknown files.
Can .omerta Files Virus Ransomware Steal Your Data?
Yes, in most cases ransomware will steal your information. It is a form of malware that steals data from a user's computer, encrypts it, and then demands a ransom in order to decrypt it.
In many cases, the malware authors or attackers will threaten to delete the data or publish it online unless the ransom is paid.
Can Ransomware Infect WiFi?
Yes, ransomware can infect WiFi networks, as malicious actors can use it to gain control of the network, steal confidential data, and lock out users. If a ransomware attack is successful, it could lead to a loss of service and/or data, and in some cases, financial losses.
Should I Pay Ransomware?
No, you should not pay ransomware extortionists. Paying them only encourages criminals and does not guarantee that the files or data will be restored. The better approach is to have a secure backup of important data and be vigilant about security in the first place.
What Happens If I Don't Pay Ransom?
If you don't pay the ransom, the hackers may still have access to your computer, data, or files and may continue to threaten to expose or delete them, or even use them to commit cybercrimes. In some cases, they may even continue to demand additional ransom payments.
Can a Ransomware Attack Be Detected?
Yes, ransomware can be detected. Anti-malware software and other advanced security tools can detect ransomware and alert the user when it is present on a machine.
It is important to stay up-to-date on the latest security measures and to keep security software updated to ensure ransomware can be detected and prevented.
Do Ransomware Criminals Get Caught?
Yes, ransomware criminals do get caught. Law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, Interpol and others have been successful in tracking down and prosecuting ransomware criminals in the US and other countries. As ransomware threats continue to increase, so does the enforcement activity.
About the .omerta Files Virus Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this .omerta Files Virus how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific malware and restore your encrypted files.
How did we conduct the research on this ransomware?
Our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, and as such, we receive daily updates on the latest malware and ransomware definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the .omerta Files Virus ransomware threat is backed with VirusTotal and the NoMoreRansom project.
To better understand the ransomware threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
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.