Ransomware doesn’t sleep. Another crypto virus, Green_Ray ransomware, has been “introduced” to users, encrypting their files and demanding a payment for their decryption. Green_Ray has been reported to use asymmetric encryption (a public and a private key). The ransomware appends a green_ray(@)aol.com.xtbl extension. Paying the ransom is not advisory, since the victim may not receive a decryption key. Moreover, ransom payments only help malicious actors evolve their “business” and create even more threats.
Threat Summary
| Name | Green_Ray Ransomware |
| Type | Ransomware (Crypto Virus). |
| Short Description | The ransomware encrypts files with and demands a ransom. |
| Symptoms | Files are encrypted with the green_ray[@]aol.com.xtbl extension. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, File Sharing Networks. |
| Detection Tool |
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Green_ray Ransomware. |
| 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. |
Research indicates that Green_Ray ransomware is similar to Mahasaraswati and JohnyCryptor. Another similar ransomware may be the one appending .xtbl extension to affected files.
Green_Ray Ransomware Distribution Method
As with most ransomware pieces, Green_Ray is highly likely distributed via aggressive spam emails and malicious URLs. Here is one example of malicious URL that shouldn’t be clicked:
Besides being spread in spam emails, malicious email attachments and via corrupted links, ransomware such as Green_Ray may rely on other distribution vectors as well:
- Peer-to-peer sharing networks, torrents;
- Bundling with other suspicious apps;
- Fake software updates, like Java or Flash;
- Exploit kits.
Green_Ray Ransomware Technical Overview
Once Green_Ray has entered the system successfully, it will change the victim’s desktop and create a “How to decrypt your files.txt” file. This file contains information to contact the ransomware operators. Two email addresses are provided:
- Green_ray(@)aol.com
- Green_ray(@)india.com
As mentioned in the beginning, contacting the ransomware operators is not recommended. First, there are many cases of victims who have paid the ransom but never received a decryption key for their files. Second, ransomware has turned into a successful business partially because of victims’ payments.
For now, the amount of the ransom demanded by Green_Ray ransomware is not known. If you have any information about it, don’t hesitate to contact us. You can do this by leaving a comment in our security forums dedicated to malware problems.
Remove Green_ray Ransomware and Restore . green_ray[@]aol.com.xtbl Files
There is still no information if this ransomware affects Shadow Volume Copies. Nonetheless, recent crypto viruses are usually written to delete these copies and thus makе the file restoration process harder. If you have a clean backup of your files, you should try and recover them.
The removal steps below the article will provide you with assistance in case you decide to try and recover your files. But first, consider removing the ransomware via a strong anti-malware program.
Milena Dimitrova
An inspired writer and content manager who has been with SensorsTechForum since the project started. A professional with 10+ years of experience in creating engaging content. Focused on user privacy and malware development, she strongly believes in a world where cybersecurity plays a central role. If common sense makes no sense, she will be there to take notes. Those notes may later turn into articles! Follow Milena @Milenyim
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- Guide 1: How to Remove Green_Ray Ransomware from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Green_Ray Ransomware from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Green_Ray Ransomware from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Green_Ray Ransomware from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Green_Ray Ransomware from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Green_Ray Ransomware from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Green_Ray Ransomware from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove Green_Ray Ransomware from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Green_Ray Ransomware
Step 2: Uninstall Green_Ray Ransomware 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 Green_Ray Ransomware 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 Green_Ray Ransomware 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of Green_Ray Ransomware from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Green_Ray Ransomware 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 Green_Ray Ransomware 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 Green_Ray Ransomware files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Green_Ray Ransomware, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove Green_Ray Ransomware from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Erase Green_Ray Ransomware from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Uninstall Green_Ray Ransomware from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove Green_Ray Ransomware from Safari.
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the Green_Ray Ransomware will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate Green_Ray Ransomware from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 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'.
Step 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.
