What are .boston files? What is .boston ransomware virus? How to remove STOP/DJVU ransomware and try restoring .boston files?
Yet another of the tens of variants of STOP ransomware has appeared, this time carrying the .boston file extension. The ransomware aims to encrypt the files on the computers it has infected and then add the .boston file extension to them. This is specific for all variants of STOP ransomware and each one comes with changes in the extension and sometimes in the ransom note. If your computer has been infected by the .boston virus, then we strongly suggest that you read this article thoroughly.
Threat Summary
| Name | .boston Files Virus |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | A variant of the notorious STOP ransomware virus family. Aims to encode your files and hold them hostage until you pay ransom for the decryption. |
| Symptoms | Files have the .boston extension added to them. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executable files |
| Detection Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by .boston Files Virus Download Malware Removal Tool | User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss .boston 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. |
.boston Files Virus – Update June 2019
The good news for all victims of STOP .boston ransomware is that the security researcher Michael Gillespie cracked the code of this variant and released an updated version of his STOP ransomware decrypter.
So the moment you remove all malicious files and objects from your infected system you can enter our data recovery guide where you will find a download link for the free .boston decryption tool and learn how to proceed with the decryption process.
Have in mind that the tool is designed to support specific offline IDs, so it may not be effective for all occasions of .boston ransomware infections.
.boston Ransomware – How Did I Get It and What Does It Do?
The primary distribution method that is used when it comes to STOP ransomware is to spread the virus file as a result of it being uploaded as a part of a spam e-mail campaign. These types of files can pretend to be important e-mail attachments, such as invoices, receipts an other seemingly critical files to be opened. Another form of distribution could be conducted as a result of the malware being uploaded on websites, whose main idea is to provide free downloads. Those files could be masked as setups, executable files and other forms of fake downloads to trick users into believing they are downloading something that is important for them.
In reality, when you execute this file, the result is that STOP ransomware infects your computer and begins scanning for often used files, like the following:
- Documents.
- Images.
- Videos.
- Audio files.
- Archives.
Once this has been done, the ransomware virus adds the .boston file extension, and your files begin appearing like the following:
In addition to this, STOP ransomware also drops it’s ransom note, which looks like the following:
Remove STOP Ransomware and Try to Restore .boston Files
In order to remove .boston ransomware, we do advise that you use the removal steps below in combination with an advanced anti-malware software. Such program is a professional tool, designed to help you in removing all .boston virus files from your computer automatically.
If you want to restore files, encrypted by .boston ranosmware, we recommend that you try using the alternative methods for file recovery below. They may not come with a 100% guarantee for recovery, but with their aid, you could be able to recover at least some of the data.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Follow Me:
- Guide 1: How to Remove .boston Files Virus from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of .boston Files Virus from Mac OS X.
How to Remove .boston Files Virus from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove .boston Files Virus
Step 2: Uninstall .boston Files Virus 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 .boston 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 .boston 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: Scan for .boston Files Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .boston Files Virus.
Ransomware infections and .boston 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.
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 .boston Files Virus from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall .boston Files Virus 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 .boston Files Virus 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 .boston Files Virus files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as .boston Files Virus, 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 .boston Files Virus on your Mac.
Ransomware for Mac .boston Files Virus 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.
