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.
Note! Your computer might be affected by JuicyLemon and other threats.
Threats such as JuicyLemon may be persistent on your system. They tend to re-appear if not fully deleted. A malware removal tool like SpyHunter will help you to remove malicious programs, saving you the time and the struggle of tracking down numerous malicious files. SpyHunter’s scanner is free but the paid version is needed to remove the malware threats. Read SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy
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.
File encryption virus belonging to the id variants has been let loose to infect unsuspecting user. The malware is named JuicyLemon, and it belongs to the “id” ransomware viruses. The cyber-criminals behind JuicyLemon use a strong cipher to encode files on infected computers and for their safe decoding, they demand around 2.5 BTC, which is approximately 1000 euros. The virus uses a 7 number file extension added after every encrypted file which is a custom identification of the infected computer. Even though at the moment direct decryption is impossible we strongly advise users not to pay the ransom and try to restore their files using alternatives like the methods after this article until a decryptor is released.
Threat Summary
Name
JuicyLemon
Type
Ransomware
Short Description
JuicyLemon is a file encoding virus which holds the files of the user as hostage and wants him to pay 1000 euros to get them back.
Symptoms
A ransom note with instructions for paying the ransom shows as a “Read me now !.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.
JuicyLemon Ransomware Strategy of Infection
So far, as reports by researchers indicated, JuicyLemon is spread via the notorious and extremely effective Angler Exploit Kit. However, the cyber-criminals behind it may use other methods as well.
To successfully penetrate the defenses of the systems it infects, JuicyLemon may typically act on the same escalated privilege level as the user. Once it obtains this privilege by most likely executing obfuscated processes that slips past any real-time antivirus shields.
However, the trick is to make the user execute the process. Typically for this to happen, JuicyLemon ransomware may use several malicious URLs, that may cause the drive-by download of a .js(JavaScript) file which is automatically executed and drops the payload. Another method of distribution is the widely used nowadays Exploit kits.
All of those may be distributed via spam e-mails featuring the web links along with a message that convinces users to click on them, for example:
Another way of spreading may be on spam posts or comments on social media, like facebook, twitter or another service.
It is also not excluded that the malicious .exe file of the ransomware may be directly downloaded on the user PC by arriving in an archive downloaded from e-mails, suspicious third-party websites, and others.
JuicyLemon Ransomware – Activity
Once its malicious payload is dropped on the infected computer, it may be located in one of the following Windows folders, under the following names, for example:
Typically, JuicyLemon may create registry entries which will allow it to run on Windows startup. This happens by targeting the following Windows registry keys:
After doing so, the ransomware may delete the shadow volume copies of the infected computer, eliminating any backup if present. This can happen by executing the vssadmin command with one of its parameters, for example:
Pic
JuicyLemon ransomware uses a strong cipher to encrypt the user’s files. It may look for files containing the most widely used file extensions and encode them:
After the encryption process is complete, JuicyLemon may delete itself to prevent malware analysis. It leaves the encrypted files with a file extension containing unique number, the letters “id”, along with an e-mail address, and a bitcoin payment address, for example:
Before deletion the ransomware may send different information, such as the decryption key for the encoded files to its remote server, reported by Bleeping Computer researchers to be the following:
→ Beginbegone(.)com/777/index.php
It also drops a text, file called Read me now !.txt,which contains the following ransom note:
→ “Hello! We inform you that all, absolutely all of your files are encrypted! But do not despair. Decryption is not possible without our help, our help is not free and costs a certain amount of money. To begin the process of recovery your files you need to write us an email, attaching an example of an encrypted file. – Our contacts for communication: – Primary email: [email protected] – Additional email: [email protected] – Bitmessage: BM-NBRCUPTenKgYbLVCAfeVUHVsHFK6Ue2F How To Use Bitmessage see https://youtu.be/ndqIffqCMaM We encourage you to contact us for all three contacts! – Very important: Do not try to decrypt files by third-party decoders otherwise you will spoil files ! Be adequate in dealing with us and we will solve your problem.”
When the e-mail of the cyber-criminals has been used to contact them, they may reply with the following message:
→ “Hello! The cost of the decoder for you is 1000 (€) Euro in bitcoins, for a guarantee of existence the recovery program at us you can send the test file for decoding, after decoding of the test file we will send you requisites for payment of the decoder, and after payment the instruction on decoding and the decoder.”
Removing JuicyLemon Ransomware Completely and Restoring .id Encrypted Files
To be effective in the removal process of JuicyLemon Ransomware, we advise following the removal instructions which are provided for your below. In case you are having difficulties in manually discovering and deleting JuicyLemon, experts recommend using an advanced anti-malware tool to automatically find and remove the objects created by the ransomware on your computer.
After the ransomware is removed, you still have to cope with the encrypted files. We have provided below few universal tools and solutions, such as data recovery software which has helped several users restore multiple files encoded by JuicyLemon ransomware, according to reports at Bleeping Computer. However, we advise to also try the other methods, especially the Kaspersky Decryption software solutions.
The Locky ransomware is known to encrypt file locations which usually contain documents, such as:
C:\Users\[UserName]\Documents
Desktop\MyDocs\Downloads
C:\Documents and Settings\Users\My Documents
For now, it is not known if Shadow Volume Copies are erased from the Windows operating system, but it is likely. So, after removing the ransomware, you should check the third section of the instructions written below for a few ways which can help you try to restore your files.
Remove Locky Ransomware and Restore .locky Encrypted Files
If you have been infected by Locky, you should have a bit of experience in removing malware. This ransomware could lock your files irreparably, so it is highly recommended that you act fast and follow the step-by-step instructions provided down here.
Note! Your computer system may be affected by JuicyLemon and other threats. Scan Your PC with SpyHunter SpyHunter is a powerful malware removal tool designed to help users with in-depth system security analysis, detection and removal of threats such as JuicyLemon. 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.
To remove JuicyLemon follow these steps:
1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove JuicyLemon files and objects
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
Boot Your PC Into Safe Mode
1. For Windows XP, Vista and 7. 2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. Fix registry entries created by malware and PUPs on your PC.
For Windows XP, Vista and 7 systems:
1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu. 2. Select one of the two options provided below:
– For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again.
– For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system.
3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“.
4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account
While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.
Step 1: Open up the Start Menu.
Step 2: Click on the Power button (for Windows 8 it is the little arrow next to the “Shut Down” button) and whilst holding down “Shift” click on Restart.
Step 3: After reboot, a blue menu with options will appear. From them you should choose Troubleshoot.
Step 4: You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu choose Advanced Options.
Step 5: After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.
Step 6: From the Startup Settings menu, click on Restart.
Step 7: A menu will appear upon reboot. You can choose any of the three Safe Mode options by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart.
Some malicious scripts may modify the registry entries on your computer to change different settings. This is why cleaning your Windows Registry Database is recommended. Since the tutorial on how to do this is a bit long and tampering with registries could damage your computer if not done properly you should refer and follow our instructive article about fixing registry entries, especially if you are unexperienced in that area.
2. Find files created by JuicyLemon on your PC
Find files created by JuicyLemon
1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. 2. For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.
For Newer Windows Operating Systems
Step 1:
On your keyboard press + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.
Step 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.
Step 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:
Step 1:
Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.
Step 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.
Step 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.
Use SpyHunter to scan for malware and unwanted programs
3. Scan for malware and unwanted programs with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Scan your PC and Remove JuicyLemon with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for JuicyLemon and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove JuicyLemon. Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
Step 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.
Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.
Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.
Step 1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Malware/PC Scan’ tab. A new window will appear. Click on ‘Start Scan’.
Step 2: 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.
Step 3: If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.
Back up your data to secure it against attacks in the future
IMPORTANT! Before reading the Windows backup instructions, we highly recommend to back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats. We recommend you to read more about it and to download SOS Online Backup.
4. Try to Restore files encrypted by JuicyLemon
Try to Restore Files Encrypted by JuicyLemon
Ransomware infections and JuicyLemon aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested several alternative methods that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that these methods may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Method 1: Scanning your drive’s sectors by using Data Recovery software. Another method for restoring your files is by trying to bring back your files via data recovery software. Here are some suggestions for preferred data recovery software solutions:
Method 2: Trying Kaspersky and EmsiSoft’s decryptors. If the first method does not work, we suggest trying to use decryptors for other ransomware viruses, in case your virus is a variant of them. The two primary developers of decryptors are Kaspersky and EmsiSoft, links to which we have provided below:
To restore your data in case you have backup set up, it is important to check for Volume Shadow Copies, if ransomware has not deleted them, in Windows using the below software:
Method 4: Finding the decryption key while the cryptovirus sends it over a network via a sniffing tool.
Another way to decrypt the files is by using a Network Sniffer to get the encryption key, while files are encrypted on your system. A Network Sniffer is a program and/or device monitoring data traveling over a network, such as its internet traffic and internet packets. If you have a sniffer set before the attack happened you might get information about the decryption key. See how-to instructions below:
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.
File encryption virus belonging to the id variants has been let loose to infect unsuspecting user. The malware is named JuicyLemon, and it belongs to the “id” ransomware viruses. The cyber-criminals behind JuicyLemon use a strong cipher to encode files on infected computers and for their safe decoding, they demand around 2.5 BTC, which is approximately 1000 euros. The virus uses a 7 number file extension added after every encrypted file which is a custom identification of the infected computer. Even though at the moment direct decryption is impossible we strongly advise users not to pay the ransom and try to restore their files using alternatives like the methods after this article until a decryptor is released.
1. For Windows XP, Vista and 7.
2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.
Fix registry entries created by malware and PUPs on your PC.
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for JuicyLemon and remove them.
Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
