This article will aid you to remove Erebus ransomware completely. Follow the ransomware removal instructions given at the end of this article.
Erebus is now the name of a ransomware virus that is named after the Greek God of darkness. Your files will become encrypted and receive the .ecrypt extension when the encryption process is done. Afterward, the Erebus cryptovirus displays a ransom message with demands for payment. Read below to check in what ways you could try to restore some of your data.
Threat Summary
| Name | Erebus |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Short Description | The ransomware encrypts files on your computer and displays a ransom message after that. |
| Symptoms | The ransomware will encrypt your files and put the .ecrypt extension on each of those files when encryption completes. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Erebus. |
| 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. |
Erebus Ransomware – Distribution Tactics
Erebus ransomware could be distributed via different tactics. The payload file that initiates the malicious script for the ransomware that infects your personal computer thrives in the wild. Moreover, there were malvertising campaigns in the past that had spread it via the RIG Exploit Kit.
On top of that, the payload file might have a description that is an old, classic RPG game with the file being less than 1 MB in size.
Erebus ransomware might also be distributing that payload file on social media sites and file-sharing networks. Freeware programs found on the Web might be promoted as useful but also could be hiding the malicious script for the cryptovirus. Do not open files right after you have downloaded them, especially if they come from dubious sources like links and emails. Instead, you should first scan them. Run a security tool and scan them, while also do a check of the size and signatures for each of the files for anything suspicious. You might want to read the ransomware preventing tips thread from the forum section of the site.
Erebus Ransomware – Detailed Description
Erebus ransomware is also a cryptovirus. It is named after the Greek God of darkness. The ransomware will encrypt files on your computer device while appending the same extension to them when the process finishes.
Interestingly enough, the Erebus ransomware does not encrypt files, contained in the following directories or strings:
- C:\$recycle.bin
- C:\$windows.~bt
- C:\boot
- C:\drivers
- %Program Files%
- %Program Data%
- %User Profile%
- %Windows%
- C:\windows.old
- %AppDataLocal%
- %AppDataLocalLow%
- %Application Data%\adobe\flash player
- %Application Data%\ati
- %Application Data%\google
- %Application Data%\identities
- %Application Data%\installshield
- %Application Data%\intel
- %Application Data%\macromedia\flash player
- %Application Data%\media center programs
- %Application Data%\microsoft
- %Application Data%\mozilla
- %Application Data%\nvidia
- %Application Data%\opera
- \public\music\sample music
- \public\pictures\sample pictures
- \public\videos\sample videos
- \tor browser
In addition to the above list, the following files will be excluded from the encryption process, too:
- bootsect.bak
- desktop.ini
- iconcache.db
- ntuser.dat
- thumbs.db
- wallet.dat
Erebus ransomware could make entries in the Windows Registry to achieve persistence. Those registry entries are usually designed in a way that will start the virus automatically with each launch of the Windows Operating System. Examples of such entries for the Erebus ransomware are the following ones:
→HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
GoogleChromeAutoLaunch_{random alphanumeric characters} = “{malware path}”
The ransom note will appear right after the encryption process completes. The note states what the demands of the cybercriminals are for the ransom price, along with all other instructions and demands for decrypting your files. The note is contained in a file called YOUR_FILES_HAS_BEEN_ENCRYPTED.txt. You can check out the ransom note in the screenshot below:
That ransom note reads the following:
Warning!
Your documents, photos, databases, important files been encrypted!
What happened to your files?
All of your files were protected by a strong encryption whit RSA-2048.
More information about the encryption keys using RSA-2048 can be found here. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSA_(encryption)
What does this mean?
This means that the structure and data within your files have been irrevocably changed. You will not be able to work with them, read them or see them.
It is the same thing as losing them forever. But with our help, you can restore them.
How did this happen?
Especially for you. On our server was generated the secret key pair RSA-2048 public and private.
All your files were encrypted with the public key. Which has been transferred to your computer via the Internet.
Decrypting of your files is only possible with the help of the private key and decrypt program. Which is on our secret server.
What do I do?
If you do not take the necessary measures for the specified time then the conditions for obtaining the private key will be changed. If you really value your data.
Then we suggest you do not waste valuable time searching for other solutions because they do not exist.
Remember that your machine ID: [Redacted] For more specific instructions please visit your personal home page. There are a few different addresses pointing to your page below:
https://wsb5cxo671abtrsg.j57xi.top/
https://nicc3j2o5rtsllvw.j57xi.top/
If the above address will be unable to open or very slow, follow these steps:
1. Download and install the tor browser.
2. After successful installation, run the browser, waiting to initialize.
3. In the address bar enter:
https://wsb5cxo671abtrsg.j57xi.top/
https://nicc3j2o5rtsllvw.j57xi.top/
The cybercriminals who are behind the Erebus virus have put their demands in the ransom note. You should NOT in any circumstance pay the cyber crooks. Your files may not get recovered, and nobody could give you a guarantee for that. Furthermore, giving money to those criminals will likely just financially support them and probably give them the motivation to create more ransomware or do other criminal activities.
Below you can see the full list with file extensions that the Erebus ransomware seeks to encrypt.
→.1cd, .3dm, .3ds, .3fr, .3g2, .3gp, .3pr, .7z, .7zip, .aac, .ab4, .abd, .accdb, .accde, .accdr, .accdt, .ach, .acr, .act, .adb, .adp, .ads, .agdl, .ai, .aiff, .ait, .al, .aoi, .apj, .arw, .ascx, .asf, .asm, .asp, .aspx, .asx, .atb, .avi, .awg, .back, .backup, .backupdb, .bak, .bank, .bay, .bdb, .bgt, .bik, .bin, .bkp, .blend, .bmp, .bpw, .c, .cdb, .cdf, .cdr, .cdr3, .cdr4, .cdr5, .cdr6, .cdrw, .cdx, .ce1, .ce2, .cer, .cfg, .cfn, .cgm, .cib, .class, .cls, .cmt, .config, .contact, .cpi, .cpp, .cr2, .craw, .crt, .crw, .cs, .csh, .csl, .css, .csv, .dac, .dat, .db, .db_journal, .db3, .dbf, .dbx, .dc2, .dcr, .dcs, .ddd, .ddoc, .ddrw, .dds, .def, .der, .des, .design, .dgc, .dit, .djvu, .dng, .doc, .docm, .docx, .dot, .dotm, .dotx, .drf, .drw, .dtd, .dwg, .dxb, .dxf, .dxg, .edb, .eml, .eps, .erbsql, .erf, .exf, .fdb, .ffd, .fff, .fh, .fhd, .fla, .flac, .flb, .flf, .flv, .flvv, .fpx, .fxg, .gif, .gray, .grey, .groups, .gry, .h, .hbk, .hdd, .hpp, .html, .ibank, .ibd, .ibz, .idx, .iif, .iiq, .incpas, .indd, .info, .info_, .ini, .jar, .java, .jnt, .jpe, .jpeg, .jpg, .js, .json, .kc2, .kdbx, .kdc, .key, .kpdx, .kwm, .laccdb, .lck, .ldf, .lit, .lock, .log, .lua, .m, .m2ts, .m3u, .m4p, .m4v, .mab, .mapimail, .max, .mbx, .md, .mdb, .mdc, .mdf, .mef, .mfw, .mid, .mkv, .mlb, .mmw, .mny, .moneywell, .mos, .mov, .mp3, .mp4, .mpeg, .mpg, .mrw, .msf, .msg, .myd, .nd, .ndd, .ndf, .nef, .nk2, .nop, .nrw, .ns2, .ns3, .ns4, .nsd, .nsf, .nsg, .nsh, .nvram, .nwb, .nx2, .nxl, .nyf, .oab, .obj, .odb, .odc, .odf, .odg, .odm, .odp, .ods, .odt, .ogg, .oil, .omg, .orf, .ost, .otg, .oth, .otp, .ots, .ott, .p12, .p7b, .p7c, .pab, .pages, .pas, .pat, .pbf, .pcd, .pct, .pdb, .pdd, .pdf, .pef, .pem, .pfx, .php, .pif, .pl, .plc, .plus_muhd, .pm, .pm!, .pmi, .pmj, .pml, .pmm, .pmo, .pmr, .pnc, .pnd, .png, .pnx, .pot, .potm, .potx, .ppam, .pps, .ppsm, .ppsm, .ppsx, .ppt, .pptm, .pptm, .pptx, .prf, .ps, .psafe3, .psd, .pspimage, .pst, .ptx, .pwm, .py, .qba, .qbb, .qbm, .qbr, .qbw, .qbx, .qby, .qcow, .qcow2, .qed, .qtb, .r3d, .raf, .rar, .rat, .raw, .rdb, .rm, .rtf, .rvt, .rw2, .rwl, .rwz, .s3db, .safe, .sas7bdat, .sav, .save, .say, .sd0, .sda, .sdb, .sdf, .sh, .sldm, .sldx, .sql, .sqlite, .sqlite3, .sqlitedb, .sqlite-shm, .sqlite-wal, .sr2, .srb, .srf, .srs, .srt, .srw, .st4, .st5, .st6, .st7, .st8, .stc, .std, .sti, .stm, .stw, .stx, .svg, .swf, .sxc, .sxd, .sxg, .sxi, .sxm, .sxw, .tbb, .tbn, .tex, .tga, .thm, .tif, .tlg, .tlx, .txt, .usr, .vbox, .vdi, .vhd, .vhdx, .vmdk, .vmsd, .vmx, .vmxf, .vob, .wab, .wad, .wallet, .war, .wav, .wb2, .wma, .wmf, .wmv, .wpd, .wps, .x11, .x3f, .xis, .xla, .xlam, .xlk, .xlm, .xlr, .xls, .xlsb, .xlsm, .xlsx, .xlt, .xltm, .xltx, .xlw, .xml, .ycbcra, .yuv, .zip
Files that get encrypted will receive the same extension appended to each of them, which is .ecrypt. The encryption algorithm is RSA of 2048 bits or at least, that is what is claimed inside the ransom note.
Files found in the following locations will get encrypted as well:
- %Program Files%\steam
- %Application Data%\roaming\microsoft\office
- %Application Data%\roaming\microsoft\outlook
The Erebus cryptovirus is reported by researches to delete the Shadow Copies from the Windows operating system by utilizing the following command:
→vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all /Quiet
Continue reading and find out what type of ways you can try to restore some of your files.
Remove Erebus Ransomware and Restore .ecrypt Files
If your computer got infected with the Erebus ransomware virus, you should have a bit of experience in removing malware. You should get rid of this ransomware as quickly as possible before it can have the chance to spread further and infect other computers. You should remove the ransomware and follow the step-by-step instructions guide provided below.
- Step 1
- Step 2
- Step 3
- Step 4
- Step 5
Step 1: Scan for Erebus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall Erebus and related malware 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 delete most unwanted and malicious programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Erebus 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 Erebus 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: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Erebus
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Erebus.
Method 1: Use STOP Decrypter by Emsisoft.
Not all variants of this ransomware can be decrypted for free, but we have added the decryptor used by researchers that is often updated with the variants which become eventually decrypted. You can try and decrypt your files using the instructions below, but if they do not work, then unfortunately your variant of the ransomware virus is not decryptable.
Follow the instructions below to use the Emsisoft decrypter and decrypt your files for free. You can download the Emsisoft decryption tool linked here and then follow the steps provided below:
1 Right-click on the decrypter and click on Run as Administrator as shown below:
2. Agree with the license terms:
3. Click on "Add Folder" and then add the folders where you want files decrypted as shown underneath:
4. Click on "Decrypt" and wait for your files to be decoded.
Note: Credit for the decryptor goes to Emsisoft researchers who have made the breakthrough with this virus.
Method 2: Use data recovery software
Ransomware infections and Erebus 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 the top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Erebus-FAQ
What is Erebus Ransomware?
Erebus 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 algorithms 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.
What Does Erebus Ransomware Do?
Ransomware in general is a malicious software that is designed to block access to your computer or files until a ransom is paid.
Ransomware viruses can also damage your system, corrupt data and delete files, resulting in the permanent loss of important files.
How Does Erebus Infect?
Via several ways.Erebus Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing emails, 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.
Another way you may become a victim of Erebus 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 .Erebus files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .Erebus files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted using a specific decryption key for the particular algorithm.
What to Do If a Decryptor Does Not Work?
Do not panic, and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your .Erebus files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".Erebus" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Erebus files.
These methods are in no way 100% guaranteed that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How To Get Rid of Erebus Virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti-malware program.
It will scan for and locate Erebus ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Erebus files.
Can I 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.
Can You Stop Ransomware from Encrypting Your Files?
Yes, you can prevent ransomware. The best way to do this is to ensure your computer system is updated with the latest security patches, use a reputable anti-malware program and firewall, backup your important files frequently, and avoid clicking on malicious links or downloading unknown files.
Can Erebus Ransomware Steal Your Data?
Yes, in most cases ransomware will steal your information. It is a form of malware that steals data from a user's computer, encrypts it, and then demands a ransom in order to decrypt it.
In many cases, the malware authors or attackers will threaten to delete the data or publish it online unless the ransom is paid.
Can Ransomware Infect WiFi?
Yes, ransomware can infect WiFi networks, as malicious actors can use it to gain control of the network, steal confidential data, and lock out users. If a ransomware attack is successful, it could lead to a loss of service and/or data, and in some cases, financial losses.
Should I Pay Ransomware?
No, you should not pay ransomware extortionists. Paying them only encourages criminals and does not guarantee that the files or data will be restored. The better approach is to have a secure backup of important data and be vigilant about security in the first place.
What Happens If I Don't Pay Ransom?
If you don't pay the ransom, the hackers may still have access to your computer, data, or files and may continue to threaten to expose or delete them, or even use them to commit cybercrimes. In some cases, they may even continue to demand additional ransom payments.
Can a Ransomware Attack Be Detected?
Yes, ransomware can be detected. Anti-malware software and other advanced security tools can detect ransomware and alert the user when it is present on a machine.
It is important to stay up-to-date on the latest security measures and to keep security software updated to ensure ransomware can be detected and prevented.
Do Ransomware Criminals Get Caught?
Yes, ransomware criminals do get caught. Law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, Interpol and others have been successful in tracking down and prosecuting ransomware criminals in the US and other countries. As ransomware threats continue to increase, so does the enforcement activity.
About the Erebus Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Erebus how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific malware and restore your encrypted files.
How did we conduct the research on this ransomware?
Our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, and as such, we receive daily updates on the latest malware and ransomware definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the Erebus ransomware threat is backed with VirusTotal and the NoMoreRansom project.
To better understand the ransomware threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
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.