A dangerous virus created for Portuguese-speaking countries has been detected by malware research experts to use the .lok file extension and a strong cipher to encrypt files. The files which are encrypted by the Anatel virus can no longer be accessed by the user, and the ransomware drops a LEIA.txt readme file which notifies the user that he must contact the cyber-criminals’ e-mail address for most likely making a ransom payoff. The name Anatel comes from the Brazilian Agency for Telecommunications. Users who have become victims of the Anatel crypto-virus are given recommendations by experts to remove this threat immediately and instead of paying the ransom to seek alternative methods for file reverting. We suggest you to red this article to learn more about how to remove Anatel Ransomware and attempt alternative methods to revert your files.
Threat Summary
| Name |
Anatel Ransomware |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Short Description | The malware encrypts users’ files and drops a ransom note afterwards. |
| Symptoms | The user may witness ransom messages and “instructions” and the files encrypted with an added .lok file extension. |
| Distribution Method | Via an Exploit kit. |
| Detection Tool |
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Malware Removal Tool
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| User Experience | Join our forum to Discuss Anatel Ransomware. |
| 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. |
Anatel Ransowmare – How Does It Infect
To cause a successful infection, researchers believe that Anatel ransomware is spread via massive spam e-mail campaigns. Such campaigns are a very expensive investment because they may either contain malicious attachments or malicious URL’s and since most e-mail providers have spam defensive mechanisms nowadays, it becomes trickier and trickier to spread malware via this method. However, the cyber-criminals behind Anatel Ransomware may have used sophisticated technology to conceal the malicious files, such as process obfuscators and browser redirecting web links which lead to malicious JavaScript, Exploit Kit or drive-by download attacks.
Anatel Ransomware Viewed In Depth
When the user opens malicious files by Anatel Ransomware, it immediately drops the payload files. Here are some of the folders in which malicious files by Anatel Ransomware may exist:
- %AppData%
- %SystemDrive%
- %Local%
- %LocalRow%
- %User’s Profile%
- %System%
- %Windows%
After its malicious files have been dropped, the Anatel Ransomware virus may either run immediately or perform the safer action – modify registry keys to run when you start Windows. If it does so, you may find suspicious String Values associated with Anatel in the following Windows Registry Key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
and
Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
In the key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
and
Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
After the encryption process by Anatel Ransowmare is initiated, it is reported by Symantec(Symantec.com) researchers that it looks for widely used types of files to encode them:
After it has encrypted the files, Anatel Ransowmare may also connect to several malicious hosts associated with the following domain to send generated decryption keys and other system information:
Researchers report that the host name, the user’s profile name along with the keys is sent out to cyber-criminals. After this has been done, Anatel ransomware drops its LEIA.txt file which translates to the word “Read” in the following location:
The file contains a brief message written In Portoguese:
Exigmos o fim do bolqueio de franquias
Envie um email para {cyber-criminals’ e-mail address} para receber a senha
We are anonymous”
Approximate English Translation:
Anatel, the files were encrypted
We demand the end of the franchise block
Send an email to {cyber-criminals’ email address} to receive the password
We are anonymous
The encrypted files by this ransomware are appended the .lok file extension and they may look like the following:
So far it is quite unclear as to why the ransom note ends with “We are anonymous” and why Anatel’s name is involved but theorists believe that the money generated from this attack may be used in a hacktivist attack.
Anatel Ransomware – Removal and File Restoration Alternatives
To remove Anatel Ransomware, we strongly suggest using the instructions which we have provided after this article. In case you are experiencing difficulties in manually getting rid of this virus, we suggest using an advanced anti-malware program to get automatically rid of this virus.
To restore your files, we suggest the solutions which we have provided below in step “3. Restore files encrypted by Anatel”. They are not 100 percent guarantee you will get your files back; however they are worth a try. Also, we suggest using file decryptors since this Ransomware may have a so-called CBC mode which may break the files if a decryptor other than the original is used.
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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.
- Guide 1: How to Remove Anatel Ransomware from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Anatel Ransomware from Mac OS X.
How to Remove Anatel Ransomware from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Anatel Ransomware
Step 2: Uninstall Anatel Ransomware 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 Anatel Ransomware 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 Anatel Ransomware 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 Anatel Ransomware with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Anatel Ransomware.
Ransomware infections and Anatel Ransomware 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 Anatel Ransomware from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Anatel Ransomware 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 Anatel Ransomware 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 Anatel Ransomware.
Ransomware infections and Anatel Ransomware 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.
Anatel Ransomware FAQ
What is Anatel Ransomware ransomware and how does it work?
Anatel Ransomware 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 Anatel Ransomware ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.Anatel Ransomware 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 Anatel Ransomware 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 .Anatel Ransomware files?
You can't. At this point the .Anatel Ransomware 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 .Anatel Ransomware files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by Anatel Ransomware 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 ".Anatel Ransomware" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Anatel Ransomware 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 Anatel Ransomware 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 Anatel Ransomware ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Anatel Ransomware files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like Anatel Ransomware 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.
