Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
Note! Your computer might be affected by [email protected] and other threats.
Threats such as [email protected] may be persistent on your system. They tend to re-appear if not fully deleted. A malware removal tool like SpyHunter will help you to remove malicious programs, saving you the time and the struggle of tracking down numerous malicious files. SpyHunter’s scanner is free but the paid version is needed to remove the malware threats. Read SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
Security researchers have found a new ransomware strain that targets computer users. The threat is classified as data locker ransomware as it corrupts essential data stored on infected machines and then asks victims for a ransom payment. Its name comes from the extension it appends to all encrypted files. The [email protected]7 ransomware infection is further associated with a file Readme.txt dropped on the computer. The file contains ransom message send by [email protected] ransomware authors.
This article aims to help all victims of [email protected] ransomware to deal with its complete removal and reveal alternative options for [email protected] files recovery.
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.
Most of the times ransomware like [email protected] infect systems by dropping a single executable file on the PC. That file can be embedded in word, excel or pdf document and then send to you as an attached file to an email message. This technique is preferred by hackers because it allows them to spoof the email sender name and the address. Thus by impersonating popular business and governmental organizations, they hope to trick you into infecting your device with the ransomware. Another standard way for ransomware payload distribution is web links that redirect to corrupted web pages. Such links are posted in emails, online advertisements, and social media.
Once [email protected] payload is running on the computer, it initiates a sequence of malicious actions to complete the attack. First, it may connect its server to send data about the system and download additional malicious components. Then it may create new files in some essential Windows system folders and then activates its malicious processes.
Probably [email protected] ransomware will access Windows Registry editor to create new values that will enable its payload to start on each system turn on. In addition, the same keys – Run and RunOnce are likely to be modified after the cypto virus drops its ransom note on the PC. As these keys control all processes that need to start when the Windows is launched and all currently running processes, ransomware uses them to display its ransom note at the end of its infection.
Its ransom note might be situated on the Desktop under the name Readme.txt. What it reads is:
Access to your files was limited. To return your files you have 72 hours. Write to us. Our contacts. Our email: [email protected] ATTENTION. To email ([email protected]) write messages only from these e-mail services. From other email services, messages may not be received by us. Yahoo. https://mail.yahoo.com Gmail. https://www.google.com Mail. https://www.mail.com ATTENTION. We will reply you within 24 hours. If there is no response from us, please send your message again. Tor email: [email protected] To register tor e-mail, use the service http://torbox3uiot6wchz.onion This link opens in tor browser. Link to tor browser https://www.torproject.org/ Send us 3 encrypted files, each no more than 2 MB (only pictures, text documents or shortcuts). We will decrypt them to you for free, to confirm that we can help you. Together with the decrypted files you will receive further instructions
YOUR KEY. ***********************************************************
The given time frame aims to make you anxious and urge you to pay the ransom as soon as possible. Even though the demanded amount is not mentioned, it probably needs to be transferred in Bitcoins. For the sake of your security, it is better to avoid any negotiations with the crooks. There is no guarantee that you will receive a working solution for the encrypted files even if you pay the ransom.
Like most crypto ransomware [email protected] is likely to have all file types that are frequently used set in its target data list. And the reviewed crypto virus can scan for files with file extensions, associated with the following file types:
Documents
Videos
Audio files
Pictures
Archives
The original code of all target files is modified by the ransomware via its built-in encryption module. According to security researchers [email protected] uses AES-ECB or stream cipher to encrypt files. Afterward it marks them all with an extension of the same name [email protected] and drops a ransom message that provides information on their decryption. The transformation restricts you from opening your files until you apply the decryption key.
All steps that will help you to get rid of [email protected] ransomware completely are covered in our detailed removal guide below. You can choose whether you want to remove it manually or automatically. Have in mind that due to the complexity of ransomware code the manual removal of all its files and objects from the infected host can be a hard task even for the tech savvy guys. So if you [email protected] ransomware is still on the system even after you fulfill all steps from the manual removal, be advised to take the automatic approach.
After the removal, you can check the alternative [email protected] files restore options that we choose for you. You will need to back up all encrypted files before the restore process because if something goes wrong during the restore process, it can be used for the next restore attempts.
Note! Your computer system may be affected by [email protected] and other threats. Scan Your PC with SpyHunter SpyHunter is a powerful malware removal tool designed to help users with in-depth system security analysis, detection and removal of threats such as [email protected]. Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter’s malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.
1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove [email protected] files and objects
OFFER
Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!
We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter
Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter’s malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria
Boot Your PC Into Safe Mode
1. For Windows XP, Vista and 7. 2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. Fix registry entries created by malware and PUPs on your PC.
For Windows XP, Vista and 7 systems:
1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu. 2. Select one of the two options provided below:
– For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again.
– For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system.
3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“.
4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account
While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.
Step 1: Open up the Start Menu.
Step 2: Click on the Power button (for Windows 8 it is the little arrow next to the “Shut Down” button) and whilst holding down “Shift” click on Restart.
Step 3: After reboot, a blue menu with options will appear. From them you should choose Troubleshoot.
Step 4: You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu choose Advanced Options.
Step 5: After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.
Step 6: From the Startup Settings menu, click on Restart.
Step 7: A menu will appear upon reboot. You can choose any of the three Safe Mode options by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart.
Some malicious scripts may modify the registry entries on your computer to change different settings. This is why cleaning your Windows Registry Database is recommended. Since the tutorial on how to do this is a bit long and tampering with registries could damage your computer if not done properly you should refer and follow our instructive article about fixing registry entries, especially if you are unexperienced in that area.
1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. 2. For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.
For Newer Windows Operating Systems
Step 1:
On your keyboard press + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.
Step 2:
Click on your PC from the quick access bar. This is usually an icon with a monitor and its name is either “My Computer”, “My PC” or “This PC” or whatever you have named it.
Step 3:
Navigate to the search box in the top-right of your PC’s screen and type “fileextension:” and after which type the file extension. If you are looking for malicious executables, an example may be “fileextension:exe”. After doing that, leave a space and type the file name you believe the malware has created. Here is how it may appear if your file has been found:
N.B. We recommend to wait for the green loading bar in the navination box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn’t found it yet.
For Older Windows Operating Systems
In older Windows OS’s the conventional approach should be the effective one:
Step 1:
Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.
Step 2:
After the search window appears, choose More Advanced Options from the search assistant box. Another way is by clicking on All Files and Folders.
Step 3:
After that type the name of the file you are looking for and click on the Search button. This might take some time after which results will appear. If you have found the malicious file, you may copy or open its location by right-clicking on it.
Now you should be able to discover any file on Windows as long as it is on your hard drive and is not concealed via special software.
Use SpyHunter to scan for malware and unwanted programs
3. Scan for malware and unwanted programs with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Scan your PC and Remove [email protected] with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for [email protected] and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove [email protected] Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
Step 1: Click on the “Download” button to proceed to SpyHunter’s download page.
It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.
Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.
Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.
Step 1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Malware/PC Scan’ tab. A new window will appear. Click on ‘Start Scan’.
Step 2: After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the ‘Next’ button.
Step 3: If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.
Back up your data to secure it against attacks in the future
IMPORTANT! Before reading the Windows backup instructions, we highly recommend to back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats. We recommend you to read more about it and to download SOS Online Backup.
Ransomware infections and [email protected] aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested several alternative methods that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that these methods may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Method 1: Scanning your drive’s sectors by using Data Recovery software. Another method for restoring your files is by trying to bring back your files via data recovery software. Here are some suggestions for preferred data recovery software solutions:
Method 2: Trying Kaspersky and EmsiSoft’s decryptors. If the first method does not work, we suggest trying to use decryptors for other ransomware viruses, in case your virus is a variant of them. The two primary developers of decryptors are Kaspersky and EmsiSoft, links to which we have provided below:
To restore your data in case you have backup set up, it is important to check for Volume Shadow Copies, if ransomware has not deleted them, in Windows using the below software:
Method 4: Finding the decryption key while the cryptovirus sends it over a network via a sniffing tool.
Another way to decrypt the files is by using a Network Sniffer to get the encryption key, while files are encrypted on your system. A Network Sniffer is a program and/or device monitoring data traveling over a network, such as its internet traffic and internet packets. If you have a sniffer set before the attack happened you might get information about the decryption key. See how-to instructions below:
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
1. For Windows XP, Vista and 7.
2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.
Fix registry entries created by malware and PUPs on your PC.
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for 
Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
