A new devastating ransomware and it’s variants have been reported to infect users on a global scale. It’s name is Coverton, and it is reported to use several extensions that it ads after data encryption. One of the extensions is .Coverton – its name, however, the ransomware may also generate random extensions. This variant has also been reported by several sources that it may contain a bad code and even paying the ~400 USD for the decryption of the files in BitCoins may not restore 100% of them. Either way, we strongly advise against Paying any ransom money and for looking towards an alternative solution.
Name | Coverton |
Type | Ransomware |
Short Description | Encrypts user data adding the .Coverton file extension and making them impossible to open. |
Symptoms | The user may witness a “WARNING” ransom message file on the folder of their encrypted files as well as on their desktop. |
Distribution Method | Via PUPs, installed by bundling (Browser Hijackers) or by visiting a suspicious third-party site that is advertising it. |
Detection Tool | Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware |
User Experience | Join our forum to discuss Coverton. |
Coverton Ransomware – How Is It Spread?
Coverton is reported by researchers to spread its payload via different type of spam:
- Spam links by social media spam bots.
- Email attachments or links redirecting to malicious URLs.
- Malicious URLs featured in comments.
The executable of the dropper of Coverton may resemble a legitimate Windows application, and it may also resemble a program user is trying to download and install. Either way the final method Coverton uses to spread is very effective since it has quickly gained popularity.
Coverton Ransomware In Detail
Once the payload carrying file is executed, it may drop the following modules:
→ In %Users%/%user’s profile%:
userlog.exe
Desktop\!!!-WARNING-!!!.html
Desktop\!!!-WARNING-!!!.txt
In %System%
crrss.exe
After it drops the data, the ransomware is reported by malware researchers to create a registry entry so that it automatically runs when you turn on your computer:
→ HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\userlog $user’s profile%\userlog.exe
Once it has been activated on Windows startup, the “userlog.exe” file may begin to scan over 950 of the most commonly used types of files. This is an unusually big number of file extensions, and most of them may even be unfamiliar to experienced users. This indicates that a very experienced hacker or hacker group has created the malware.
After the data scanned by Coverton has been encrypted with the .Coverton extension, the ransomware displays the following ransom message:
→ “Warning!
What happened to your computer?
All your files on hard drives, removable media and network files were encrypted by a cryptographically strong algorithm AES-256 with encryption key RSA-2048.
The expansion of encrypted files is: .Coverton
For the time the decryption of AES-256 is impossible.
What have you to do?
To receive a pair of keys for decrypting your files you have to go through the following steps:
Simple variant: click to {custom URL for the infected user} and follow the instructions OR complex variant:
1. Download TOR Browser: {tor download page}
2. Open link in TOR Browser: {custom URL for the infected user via TOR}
3. Follow the instructions.
We recommend you not to disconnect your computer from the electrical supply.
We recommend you not to disconnect your computer from the Internet.
We recommend you not to extract the encrypted electronic data carriers.
Danger!
Do not try to cheat the system, do not attempt to edit encrypted files, do not attempt to remove the program.
Such actions can easily bring to the inability to recover your files and data, so we can not help.
Danger!
The key to decrypt your files is stored on our remote server.”
The encrypted files look like the following example:
After encrypting the data, Symantec researchers report that the malware may connect to these hosts:
- 190.10.8.128
- 81.2.237.32
- 172.81.176.146
- bitgotothetoma.bit
Remove Coverton Ransomware and Restore Your Files
To remove this ransomware, you should act as if you have a Trojan or another malicious software on your computer. But never underestimated it, because it might as well have Rootkit capabilities. This is why we advise you to follow the step by step removal instructions below and install an advanced anti-malware software. It will make sure that all files and other objects associated with this malicious software are permanently gone and protect you in the future as well.
Regarding the recovery of the data, the bad news is that there was most likely a mistake during the coding of this ransomware. This is why several users who paid the ransom money have complained in security forums that despite that, they managed to restore around 80% of their data best case scenario. Below, we have suggested several free alternatives that you cannot try. We suggest you not to try direct decryption until a specific decryptor for this Ransomware comes out. And even though it may come out, it may take a lot of time to deal with the combination of two of the strongest ciphers in the world(RSA and AES).
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.
How to Remove Coverton from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Coverton





Step 2: Uninstall Coverton 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:



Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Coverton 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 Coverton there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:



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 Coverton with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Coverton.
Ransomware infections and Coverton 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 Coverton from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Coverton 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 Coverton 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 Coverton.
Ransomware infections and Coverton 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.
Coverton FAQ
What is Coverton ransomware and how does it work?
Coverton 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 Coverton ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.Coverton 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 Coverton 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 .Coverton files?
You can't. At this point the .Coverton 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 .Coverton files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by Coverton 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 ".Coverton" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Coverton 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 Coverton 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 Coverton ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Coverton files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like Coverton 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.
How to 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.