24H Virus is a newly discovered test version of a new threat. The security analysis reveals that it does not contain snippets from any of the famous malware families. It is possible that future versions of it are going to feature updated code that add newer functions. Read our complete 24H Virus removal guide to learn more about it.
Threat Summary
| Name | 24H |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | The ransomware encrypts sensitive information on your computer system with the .24h extensions and demands a ransom to be paid to allegedly recover them. |
| Symptoms | The ransomware will encrypt your files with a strong encryption algorithm. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss 24H. |
| 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. |
24H Virus – Distribution Ways
The 24H virus has been discovered in an ongoing hacker attack with a limited scope. A single successful infiltration has been reported in Africa which signals two possible cases scenarios:
- The attacks are coming in from a hacker group that is testing a newly created virus.
- The hacker or criminal group behind the attack has acquired custom code from the underground markets and are testing it on test targets.
The 24H virus can be distributed using phishing email campaigns that are created in bulk and coordinated by the the hackers behind the virus. They use social engineering tactics by taking the design elements and text from notifications that have been sent by famous companies and services. By using the customized emails the hackers can confuse the victims by offering the ransomware strains either hyperlinked or attached directly to the messages.
The hacking group may also create fake download sites that together with the email messages can be used to spread the infected payloads that are another technique used to infect many computer users.
There are two primary types that are the most common ones — the first one relies on the insertion of code into documents such as presentations, text files, spreadsheets or databases. Once they are opened by the victims they will be presented with a notification box asking them to enable the built-in scripts. This will activate the macros that lead to the virus delivery. A similar strategy is used with application installers where the criminals bundle the virus code into software install packages. The typical targets are popular programs that are usually preferred by the majority of end users: system utilities, creativity suites and productivty apps. The hacker-created strains are made by taking the legitimate installers from te official vendor download sites and releasing the fake packages through the download sites and email messages.
Another virus delivery strategy relies on the use of browser hijackers that seek to infect the victim’s web browser and modify the default settings by redirecting the victims to a hacker-controlled page. During this process they may also also hijack sensitive data from the victim machines. The hijackers are usully distributed on the relevant web browser plugin repositories using fake developer credentials and user reviews.
24H Virus – In-Depth Analysis
The captured strains of the 24H virus are described to be early test releases that do not constitute a finished product. At the same time we have received reports that a victim has been infected with it which shows that there is true damage potential. While the ransomware engine is the only malicious component that is included in the captured released, it’s engine can be modified to include other components as well. Future released of the 24H virus may follow the behavior patterns instituted by typical ransomware.
The usual way that a virus infections is by starting a data harvesting component. It scans the memory and hard drive contents of the infected hosts by looking for specific strings that can reveal the victim’s identity. The data includes strings such as the user’s name, address, telephone number, interests and account credentials. Other information that is acquired is related to the attack campaign itself. The harvested data can be used to gain insight into the types of infected machines. The engine can collect certain values about the operating system and the installed hardware components.
This data can be processed by the next engine responsible for keeping the virus running in the presence of security countermeasures. The information about the installed software and running services may allow the virus engine to disable any real-time engines belonging to anti-virus software, debug/sandbox environments and virtual machine hosts.
Other 24H virus related damage to the host system can include a variety of system manipulation actions that include any of the following:
- Windows Registry Manipulation — The 24H virus can be used to change the Windows Registry entries belonging to user-installed applications and system services, consequently certain functions can stop working. Overall performance is also affected.
- Persistent Threat — The 24H virus can be installed to the hosts as a persistent threat. This means that it will automatically execute itself when the computer boots. This behavior is also accompanied by the removal of access to the boot recovery menu and certain options that are used to manually remove the active infections.
- Trojan Service — The 24H virus engine can connect to a hacker-controlled service which can be used to take over control of the infected machine. The Trojan service allows the hackers to spy on the users, as well as deploy additional threats.
- Files Deletion — The associated component responsible for the system changes can also delete all found Shadow Volume Information and System Recovery snapshots to make data recovery more difficult. In these cases the victims will need to resort to a professional-grade data recovery solution.
24H Virus — Encryption
When all components have executed correctly the ransomware engine is started. It uses a strong cipher in order to target files according to a built-in list of target files. The list can include any of the folloiwing types: documents, archives, backups, images, music, videos, databases and etc.
All of the data is renamed with the .24H extension. The ransomware note is created in a file called ReadME-24H.txt which reads the following:
Welcome to the “24H” Ransomeware! all your system information is encrypted. For receive the decryption program, transfer 0.24 bitcoins to 1FniWsB6T3n7GjBGs3UizspTshBvt9qFqR address and then send your request to the “24H@tutanota.com” and “24HDecryptor@Mail.ru” email addresses. Your Personal KEY: ***
Remove 24H Ransomware Virus and Restore .24H Files
If your computer got infected with the 24H ransomware virus, 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.
Martin Beltov
Martin graduated with a degree in Publishing from Sofia University. As a cyber security enthusiast he enjoys writing about the latest threats and mechanisms of intrusion.
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Step 1: Scan for 24H with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall 24H 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 24H 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 24H 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 24H
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by 24H.
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 24H 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.
24H-FAQ
What is 24H Ransomware?
24H 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 24H 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 24H Infect?
Via several ways.24H 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 24H 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 .24H files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .24H 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 .24H files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".24H" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .24H 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 24H 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 24H ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .24H 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 24H 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 24H Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this 24H 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 24H 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.