The name .horon files virus is given to a data locker ransomware based on the code of STOP ransomware. This threat is designed to heavily damage computer systems with the goal to reach personal files and then encrypt them with strong cipher algorithm. As a result of infection with this ransomware, you cannot open files which are marked with the extension .horon. Since .horon files virus usually corrupts files that store valuable data, it attempts to blackmail you into paying a ransom fee for their recovery. The extortion happens via ransom message file called _readme.txt.
If you want to prevent yourself from falling victim to hackers once again, we recommend you to refrain from contacting them and continue with our thorough .horon ransomware removal guide. The steps below will help you remove all malicious files and objects from the infected computer and present you with several alternative data recovery approaches that may be efficient for .horon files recovery.
Threat Summary
| Name | .horon Files Virus |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | Computer infection that encrypts personal files and extorts a ransom fee for their recovery. |
| Symptoms | Important files are locked and renamed with .horon extension. A ransom message forces you to contact hackers for more details on a ransom fee payment process. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss .horon Files Virus. |
| 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. |
.horon Files Virus – Update July 2019
The good news for all victims of STOP .horon ransomware is that the security researcher Michael Gillespie cracked the code of this variant and released an updated version of his STOP ransomware decrypter.
So the moment you remove all malicious files and objects from your infected system you can enter our data recovery guide where you will find a download link for the free .horon decryption tool and learn how to proceed with the decryption process.
Have in mind that the tool is designed to support specific offline IDs, so it may not be effective for all occasions of .horon ransomware infections.
.horon Files Virus – How Does It Infect and What Does It Do?
The ransomware infection called .horon files virus is designed to infect computer systems in order to interfere with their settings and become able to encode valuable personal files. As identified by security researchers it is a strain of the infamous STOP ransomware.
Currently, .horon STOP ransomware is lurking around the web. The attack campaigns that are spreading .horon virus samples may be realized with the help of several common techniques such as malspam, malvertising, freeware bundles, and websites corruption.
Malspam or spam emails that are trying to deliver malicious code on computer machines is the most preferred spread technique. Hackers often bet on it as it enables them to reach a vast number of online users around the globe. Several traits could help you recognize the emails that are part of malspam campaigns. The most distinctive ones are URLs presented as buttons, direct links, in-text links, images, etc. and file attachments presented as invoices, order IDs, purchase details, coupons, special offers, and even legal papers. In order to make you more prone to interact with these elements and hence run the ransomware on your PC, hackers set the emails to pose as representatives of well-known brands, services, financial and governmental institutions.
So beware and whenever you spot the above-mentioned elements to be present in a received email make sure to check their security level. One of the most reliable ways to do this is by uploading them for a security check on the VirusTotal website. Another one suitable for archived files is the free online archive extractor and virus/malware scanner ZipeZip.
What happens when .horon files virus loads on your device? It initiates a long sequence of malicious operations that disrupt system security and enable it to reach the main infection stage – data encryption.
For the data encryption process, .horon ransomware activates a specific cipher module that scans all system drives for target types of files and encodes the matches with the help of a sophisticated cipher algorithm. Unfortunately, it is likely that all common files listed below are among the targets of this nasty ransomware:
- Audio files
- Video files
- Document files
- Image files
- Backup files
- Banking credentials, etc
Following encryption, the ransomware leaves all encrypted files inaccessible and renamed with the extension .horon . As a result, you are forced to pay a ransom fee in cryptocurrency to cyber criminals. This happens via a ransom note message that could be placed on the desktop and in every folder that contains encrypted files.
According to the details presented in this message, when you pay the ransom you will receive a decryption tool for .horon files. However, since there is no guarantee that this tool is a functional one, we recommend you to avoid any negotiations with cyber criminals and attempt to deal with the problem in a secure way. Furthermore, there is a chance that the available free decryption tool created by the security researcher Michael Gillespie will be soon updated to support .horon files decryption. As soon as this happens we will update this article with information about the decryptor.
Remove .horon Ransomware Virus and Attempt to Restore Files
The so-called .horon files virus is a threat with highly complex code that corrupts both system settings and valuable data. So the only way to use your infected system in a secure manner again is to remove all malicious files and objects created by the ransomware. For the purpose, you could use our removal guide that reveals how to clean and secure your system step by step. In addition, the guide presents you with several alternative data recovery approaches that may be helpful in attempting to restore .horon files. We remind you to back up all encrypted files to an external drive before the recovery process.
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online security.
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Step 1: Scan for .horon Files Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall .horon Files Virus 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 .horon Files Virus 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 .horon Files Virus 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 .horon Files Virus
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .horon Files Virus.
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 .horon Files Virus 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.
.horon Files Virus-FAQ
What is .horon Files Virus Ransomware?
.horon Files Virus 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 .horon Files Virus 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 .horon Files Virus Infect?
Via several ways..horon Files Virus 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 .horon Files Virus 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 ..horon Files Virus files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the ..horon Files Virus 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 ..horon Files Virus files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore "..horon Files Virus" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore ..horon Files Virus 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 .horon Files Virus 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 .horon Files Virus ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important ..horon Files Virus 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 .horon Files Virus 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 .horon Files Virus Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this .horon Files Virus 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 .horon Files Virus 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.
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Please help me, this virus .horon has infected all my files, please if anyone can decrypt and help me how to recover my files ?