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.
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.
RESTORE-FILES!_{ID}_.txt – this is what users who have been affected by Comrade Circle ransomware see after their files have been encrypted with an added .comrade file extension to them. The Comrade Circle virus does not waste any time In explaining what type of encryption it uses and what is encryption but gets down straight to the point. It also generates a unique amount of payment the affected user must pay which is somewhere around 2 BTC (BitCoins) to restore access to the encrypted files by this nasty cyber-threat. What is more, cyber-criminals interestingly enough claim half the profits will go to noble causes. Anyone who has been infected with this nasty malware, should not pay any ransom payment to cyber-criminals and instead, wait for a free decryptor to be released in the future. In the meantime, we advise you to follow the instructions after this article to remove Comrade Circle from your device and try alternative methods to restore your files.
Threat Summary
Name
Comrade Circle
Type
Ransomware
Short Description
The ransomware encrypts files with a strong cipher and asks a ransom payoff of approximately 2 BTC for decryption.
Symptoms
Files are encrypted and become inaccessible with an added .comrade file extension to them. A ransom note with instructions for paying the ransom shows as a RESTORE-FILES!{custom ID}.txt file.
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.
Comrade Circle Ransomware – Spreading Technique
For it to be successful whist infecting user PCs’ Comrade Circle may use the conventional tested spreading methods most ransomware viruses tend to use – massive spam of phishing e-mails. For those uninformed, phishing e-mails tend to resemble legitimate e-mail addresses to get users to click on them. Example is the below-mentioned fake LinkedIn invitation containing a malicious web link.
Once the malicious web link or in some cases e-mail attachment, is opened it may cause the infection via an exploit kit, such as the Rig EK, for example. Such kits are very expensive because they locate weaknesses and bugs in Windows only to exploit them and infect the victim’s computer.
However, this may not be the only method of distribution Comrade Circle may use – the virus may also replicate via online file sharing services and software, like dropbox and social media as well. It may also be disguised as fake Adobe Flash Player update or a fake setup of a program that may be uploaded on a shady websites which displays results based on what you “googled” for (download free torrent of someting, etc.).
Comrade Circle Ransomware – More Information About It
As soon as Comrade Circle has been installed on your computer, the malware may immediately begin to modify it. For starters, one or more files may be dropped under different names in the following Windows folders;
%Common%
%Roaming%
%Temp%
%AppData%
%System32%
%UserProfile%
As soon as this is completed the Comrade Circle ransomware has to set up it’s auto launch. This can happen in two ways. One is do drop the file-encryption module directly on the %Startup% folder of Windows which is usually located in:
The other technique which may be used by Comrade Circle ransomware may be to add custom registry entries for the malicious executable that encrypts files. The usual targeted registry entries are the following:
After this has been performed and the encrypter of Comrade Circle ransomware runs, the following files may be encrypted and no longer openable, unless a decryption key is used to unlock them:
After the files are encrypted the Comrade Circle ransomware virus drops a ransom note that is named “RESTORE-FILES!{ID}.txt” where ID is the unique identification number of the infected computer. Malware researcher Demonslay335 has identified the ransom note to have the following content:
YOU FILES ARE ENCRYPTED by Comrade Circle! - ransom note
→ ——————————-YOU FILES ARE ENCRYPTED by Comrade Circle!————————————————— —————————————-You personal ID——————————————————————— ————————————————————————————————————————— YOU HAVE 3 OPTIONS! ———————— Option 1 = purchase decrytpion software. (if you need files your files back and have money)————————————- 1. Send donation of 2.04970001 btc to wallet 1HssDyDTZj1hVdwhdpF49wLKLPQoCRJB9T 2. Send an email to recoverfiles@mail2tor.com with you personal id, and you will recieve the decryption software 3. Decrypt you files. If you dont get answer in 4 hours, or email is blocked by evil anti virus companies: Register here: http://bitmsg.me, Once you have done that, Write to adress BM-2cTivRoWe5eXdZAt8PqxTJ6tqaQwoaNt6tcontact with you email and personal ID note1: If you so evil and dont trust us, you may first give us 1 small file and we will decyrpt it for free as proof that we can decrypt the rest note2: Donation volume is unique generated for you (2.04970001) donate exacly same size (not more or less) for fast identification of your donation. note3: we are good people that help other people with getting a job and making the world better, 50% of recived payments will go to help poor people, sick chilren, animals and other good things. We only take payment from rich people because poor will join us and become rich. note4: After decryption we will give you icon of Stalin that will protect you in future from others proud members of Comrade Circle. —–Option 2—-(if dont need files and have money)———————————————————————– If you dont need your files or already restore them, please send us much money as you can 1HssDyDTZj1hVdwhdpF49wLKLPQoCRJB9T Comrade Circle good people that help poor people getting jobs and do great things, Thanks. —————– Option 3 join Comrade Circle—(if you dont have money and want help people) ————————- If you dont have money this is going to be the best day of yourlife. We here to give you easy job for 5000$-5000000$ (5 million dollars) in mo.We are here to give you a high paying job with unlimited earning potential All you need to do is to join COmrade Circle and help us spread our software. We will give you 50% of all profits that come from you clients, If you work hard we can rise you % up to 90%. you invitation code is [redacted], generated special for you. Our cutting edge software is unique and effective: simple setup and use. undetectable by evil av companies. encrypt big files (more that 2gb) encrypt all network shares not connected to machine. work and encrypt fast. imposible to decrypt without payment. mimics software update for better protection of data. no need for administrative rights or UAC. no need for c&c serevers or online connection. will always work, because there no c&c servers and there always good people continue support. Easy to use, created special for people with iq < 70. can be customized on the fly editing only file name. software from good people to good people we not scammers or criminals like others. dont encrypt files in very poor contries(only helping them getting jobs) using it you know that you help people get jobs and help sick chilren and animals,you are making the world a better place. Always developing more great features. To join or club send to bitmessage adress BM-NBt4g1wA13H9sbyHMxcRvBWkd78d8gre your invitation code, BTC wallet for recive payments, and email. and other contact info like jabber if you want. use this template for example: Invitation colde: xxxxxx Bitcoinwallet: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Bitmessage: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Email: xxxx@xx.xx Othercontact: jabber xxxxxx@xxxx.xx notes: something about you if you want. You will get link for our software, and instruction how to use, basic tutorial how to spread and get $100,000 worth of profits. After you recive first payment we give you jabber for 24/7 support and advanced tutorials how to spread software. Join Comrade Circle and help get world better, get rich and become part of team.
The strategy of the cyber-criminals is very clear when it comes to motivating users that have been affected by it. They not only claim that they will give profits to the poor but they also directly advertise their RaaS (ransomware as a service) scheme openly to the ransomware’s victims. This is a very unique strategy and it may actually be successful for them in the future. This is due to the fact that most victims may become cyber-criminals themselves out of desperation and begin to cause infections in multiple different distribution methods, even targeted attack. However, malware researchers strongly advise against following the demands in the ransom note, primarily because any cooperation with cyber-criminals is considered to be illegal and punishable by law. Also, it is no guarantee you will profit and that you will make any money by spreading the malware further and the cyber-criminals may not keep their word at all.
Not only this, but once a ransom is paid, the crooks have even developed a mechanism to keep the infected computer safe from further infections by giving the victim an icon of Stalin that will prevent re-infection by the Comrade Circle cyber-threat(at least according to the ransom note).
Comrade Circle Ransomware – Conclusion, Removal and File Restoration
The bottom line is that Comrade Circle is a very unique threat that aims to spread very quickly and it is not to be underestimated at all. Even though the promises in it’s ransom note may turn tempting, we strongly suggest against any type of cooperation with the cyber-criminals or paying the ransom money. Instead, advices are to immediately remove this ransomware virus and restore your files after they have been encrypted by it.
To remove Comrade Circle crypto-virus, we strongly advise you to follow our removal instructions that are illustrated below. They are methodologically arranged to help locate the files of Comrade Circle as and delete them. If you are having difficulties locating the malware-related objects manually, malware researchers always recommend scanning the computer automatically for Comrade Circle ransomware and removing every related object with advanced anti-malware software.
To attempt and decipher your files in case they have been affected by Comrade Circle, it is strongly suggested to avoid direct decryption with other tools, because similar to other devastating ransomware the virus might break the files permanently if it has CBC mode enabled during encryption. Having explained that, you may attempt the alternative file restoration methods in step “2. Restore files encrypted by Comrade Circle” below at your own risk and with no guarantee.
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.
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.
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.
Comrade Circle may remain persistent on your system and may re-infect it. We recommend you to download SpyHunter and run free scan to remove all virus files on your PC. This saves you hours of time and effort compared to doing the removal yourself.
Before starting the actual removal process, we recommend that you do the following preparation steps.
Make sure you have these instructions always open and in front of your eyes.
Do a backup of all of your files, even if they could be damaged. You should back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats.
Be patient as this could take a while.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Comrade Circle
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
1. Hold Windows key()+ R
2. The “Run” Window will appear. In it, type “msconfig” and click OK.
3. Go to the “Boot” tab. There select “Safe Boot”, tick “Network” and then click “Apply” and “OK”.
Tip: Make sure to reverse those changes by unticking Safe Boot after that, because your system will always boot in Safe Boot from now on.
4. When prompted, click on “Restart” to go into Safe Mode.
5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.
Step 2: Clean any registries, created by Comrade Circle on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Comrade Circle there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
1. Open the Run Window again, type “regedit” and click OK.
2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.
3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.
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.
Step 3: Find files created by Comrade Circle
For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.
For Newer Windows Operating Systems
1: On your keyboard press + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.
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.
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:
1: Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.
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.
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.
IMPORTANT! 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 Comrade Circle with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
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.
2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.
3. After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Malware/PC Scan’ tab. A new window will appear. Click on ‘Start Scan’.
4. 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.
If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Comrade Circle.
Ransomware infections and Comrade Circle 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.
1. Download the reccomended Data Recovery software by clicking on the link underneath:
2. On the download page, click on the “Download” button:
3. Click on “Save File” button:
4. Accept all agreements and click “Next”:
5. After all the “Next” steps, click on “Install” and then wait for the installation to complete:
6.Run the software. Click on the location to scan for missing or deleted files and click on “Scan”:
7. Wait for the scan to complete, it may take some time. Be advised that this scan is not 100% guaranteed to recover all files, but it does have some chance to get your data back:
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.
Comrade Circle may remain persistent on your system and may re-infect it. We recommend you to download SpyHunter and run free scan to remove all virus files on your PC. This saves you hours of time and effort compared to doing the removal yourself.
Before starting the actual removal process, we recommend that you do the following preparation steps.
Make sure you have these instructions always open and in front of your eyes.
Do a backup of all of your files, even if they could be damaged. You should back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats.
Be patient as this could take a while.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Comrade Circle
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
1. Hold Windows key()+ R
2. The “Run” Window will appear. In it, type “msconfig” and click OK.
3. Go to the “Boot” tab. There select “Safe Boot” and then click “Apply” and “OK”.
Tip: Make sure to reverse those changes by unticking Safe Boot after that, because your system will always boot in Safe Boot from now on.
4. When prompted, click on “Restart” to go into Safe Mode.
5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.
Step 2: Clean any registries, created by Comrade Circle on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Comrade Circle there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
1. Open the Run Window again, type “regedit” and click OK.
2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.
3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.
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.
Step 3: Find files created by Comrade Circle
For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.
For Newer Windows Operating Systems
1: On your keyboard press + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.
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.
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:
1: Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.
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.
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.
IMPORTANT! 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 Comrade Circle with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
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.
2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.
3. After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Malware/PC Scan’ tab. A new window will appear. Click on ‘Start Scan’.
4. 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.
If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.
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.
Comrade Circle may remain persistent on your system and may re-infect it. We recommend you to download SpyHunter and run free scan to remove all virus files on your PC. This saves you hours of time and effort compared to doing the removal yourself.
Before starting the actual removal process, we recommend that you do the following preparation steps.
Make sure you have these instructions always open and in front of your eyes.
Be patient as this could take a while.
Step 1: Uninstall Comrade Circle and related software from Windows
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
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:
1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and “R” on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.
2. In the field type in “appwiz.cpl” and press ENTER.
3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press “Uninstall”
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 2: Clean your Browsers from Comrade Circle.
Remove an extension from Mozilla FirefoxRemove an extension from Google Chrome Remove an extension from Internet Explorer Remove an extension from Microsoft Edge
1. Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window
2. Select the “Add-ons” icon from the menu.
3. Select the unwanted extension and click “Remove“
4. After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red “X” button at the top right corner and start it again.
1. Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
2. Move the cursor over “Tools” and then from the extended menu choose “Extensions“
3. From the opened “Extensions” menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its “Remove” button.
4. After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red “X” button at the top right corner and start it again.
1. Start Internet Explorer: 2. Click on the gear icon labeled ‘Tools’ to open the drop menu and select ‘Manage Add-ons’
3. In the ‘Manage Add-ons’ window.
4. Select the extension you want to remove and then click ‘Disable’. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click ‘Disable’.
5. After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red ‘X’ button located at the top right corner and start it again.
1. Start Edge
2. Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
3. From the drop menu select “Extensions”.
4. Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
5. Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Comrade Circle on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Comrade Circle there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
1. Open the Run Window again, type “regedit” and click OK.
2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.
3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.
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.
IMPORTANT! 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 Comrade Circle with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
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.
2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.
3. After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Malware/PC Scan’ tab. A new window will appear. Click on ‘Start Scan’.
4. 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.
If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.
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.
Comrade Circle may remain persistent on your system and may re-infect it. We recommend you to download Combo Cleaner and run free scan to remove all virus files on your Mac. This saves you hours of time and effort compared to doing the removal yourself.
Combo Cleaner’s scanner is free but the paid version is needed to remove the malware threats. Read Combo Cleaner’s EULA and Privacy Policy
Preparation Phase:
Before starting to follow the steps below, be advised that you should first do the following preparations:
Backup your files in case the worst happens.
Make sure to have a device with these instructions on standy.
Arm yourself with patience.
Step 1: Uninstall Comrade Circle and remove related files and objects
OFFER
Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!
We Recommend To Scan Your Mac with Combo Cleaner
Keep in mind, that Combo Cleaner needs to purchased to remove the malware threats. Click on the corresponding links to check Combo Cleaner’s EULA and Privacy Policy
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:
3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to Comrade Circle:
Tip: To quit a process completely, choose the “Force Quit” option.
4. Click on the “Go” button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.
5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to Comrade Circle. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.
6. Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to Comrade Circle. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“–“) icon to hide it.
7. Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:
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 Comrade Circle 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:
Disclaimer! If you are about to tamper with Library files on Mac, be sure to know the name of the virus file, because if you delete the wrong file, it may cause irreversible damage to your MacOS. Continue on your own responsibility!
1. Click on “Go” and Then “Go to Folder” as shown underneath:
2. Type in “/Library/LauchAgents/” and click Ok:
3. Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as Comrade Circle. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.
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: Remove Comrade Circle – related extensions from your Mac’s browsers
Remove a toolbar from Mozilla FirefoxRemove a toolbar from Google Chrome Remove an extension from Safari and reset it.
1. Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window
2. Select the “Add-ons” icon from the menu.
3. Select the Extension and click “Remove“
4. After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red “X” in the top right corner and start it again.
1. Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
2. Move the cursor over “Tools” and then from the extended menu choose “Extensions“
3. From the opened “Extensions” menu locate the add-on and click on the garbage bin icon on the right of it.
4. After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red “X” in the top right corner and start it again.
1. Start Safari
2. After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
3. From the menu, click on “Preferences“
4. After that, select the ‘Extensions’ Tab
5. Click once on the extension you want to remove.
6. Click ‘Uninstall’
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select ‘Uninstall’ again, and the Comrade Circle will be removed.
How to Reset Safari
IMPORTANT: Before resetting Safari make sure you back up all your saved passwords within the browser in case you forget them.
Start Safari and then click on the gear leaver icon.
Click the Reset Safari button and you will reset the browser.
Step 3: Scan for and remove Comrade Circle files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Comrade Circle, 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.
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.
RESTORE-FILES!_{ID}_.txt – this is what users who have been affected by Comrade Circle ransomware see after their files have been encrypted with an added .comrade file extension to them. The Comrade Circle virus does not waste any time In explaining what type of encryption it uses and what is encryption but gets down straight to the point. It also generates a unique amount of payment the affected user must pay which is somewhere around 2 BTC (BitCoins) to restore access to the encrypted files by this nasty cyber-threat. What is more, cyber-criminals interestingly enough claim half the profits will go to noble causes. Anyone who has been infected with this nasty malware, should not pay any ransom payment to cyber-criminals and instead, wait for a free decryptor to be released in the future. In the meantime, we advise you to follow the instructions after this article to remove Comrade Circle from your device and try alternative methods to restore your files. 
For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.
For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.
Remove an extension from Mozilla Firefox
Remove an extension from Google Chrome
Remove an extension from Internet Explorer
Remove an extension from Microsoft Edge
Remove an extension from Safari and reset it.
