Remove KillDisk Disakil Trojan Completely and Protect Your Files

by Ventsislav Krastev | February 26, 2016 | 0 Comments malware, trojan, Windows

A new type of Trojan has been reported to utilize an old devastating method that corrupts Windows and restarts the computer. The Trojan is known as Disakil (Symantec), and it is not very widespread. However, this particular Trojan horse may be devastating to your hard drive. In case, you try to boot your system, and you see the “BOOTMGR is Missing” message, chances are you have been hit by the variants of this malware. In case this is true, you should not format your drive and look for alternatives to salvage your data.

Name	KillDisk Disakil
Type	KillDisk Trojan
Short Description	The cyber-threat directly compromises the operating system and files below 1.1 MB of the infected PC.
Symptoms	The user may witness sudden restart after which his OS may fail to start and display a DOS error message instead. (ex. “BOOTMGR is missing”)
Distribution Method	Via other malware on the computer or the below mentioned methods in the “Distribution” paragraph.
Detection Tool	Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
User Experience	Join our forum to discuss KillDisk Disakil.

KillDisk Disakil Trojan – Spread

Similar to every other Trojan Horse out there, this one may be distributed via four different ways:

Via other malware or unwanted software installed on your computer.
Via malicious URLs.
Through malicious email or other messages’ attachments.
If someone deliberately installed in on the computer.

KillDisk Disakil Trojan In Detail

Symantec Security Response researchers have established that its malicious executable that carries the payload has been downloaded and ran on the victim’s computer, the Trojan begins by making a .tmp file with random numbers or letters or both. The file is located in the %Temp% folder. KillDisk Disakil then deletes this subkey from the Windows Registry:

→“HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\MicrosoftApplicationMgr”

After doing so, the malware begins to overwrite files. First, it overwrites a chunk of the data at the start of a file, called sec_service.exe.

After doing so, it begins to target smaller than 1.1 MB in case they are located in removable as well as fixed drives. The files it may target and overwrite may be of the following extensions:

→.accdb .bin .bmp .boot .cfg .crt .db .dbf .djvu .doc .docx .exe .ini .iso .jar .jpeg .jpg .lib .mdb .mdf .msi .pdf .ppt .pptx .rar .rtf .sql .tib .tiff .txt .vhd .xls .xlsx .xml .zip

The cyber-threat will also begin to overwrite bytes of the data in vital files that are located in the %Windows%. It targets these extensions:

→.dll .exe .xml .ttf .nfo .fon .ini .cfg .boot .jar

Meanwhile, this nasty malware may begin to end important processes. It leaves only some of them intact so that it can operate:

→ 73.exe audiodg.exe conhost.exe csrss.exe dwm.exe explorer.exe komut.exe lsass.exe lsm.exe services.exe shutdown.exe smss.exe spoolss.exe spoolsv.exe svchost.exe taskhost.exe wininit.exe winlogon.exe wuauclt.exe

Finally, this malware is capable of performing malicious activities on the computer. They may vary:

Delete or modify the data in a service, called sec_service.
Terminate sec_service and make it inactive.
Delete the MBR(Master Boot Record) of the drives on the compromised PC, hence render them unusable.
Erase the logs of the apps, security settings, setups, system events.
Reset your computer.

These modifications may result in the destruction of the affected operating system by simply rendering system files unusable.

Remove KillDisk Trojan and Protect Your Files

Since this Trojan corrupts Windows, you have two primary options. Before seeing them, you must backup all of your data. To do this, you should seek to boot a live operating system that can unlock files on your drives without having access to them. One example of such Windows OS is originating from Russia and is called Windows 7 LiveCD by Xemom1. In it, the OS has an embedded AntiWinlocker, which will allow you to access your files. Bear in mind that this is just an example and it may not be safe for work. There are many other live OS’s out there that also have AntiWinlocker. Google is your friend.

Option 1: To try and repair your Windows OS.

To do that, you need to boot into the Advanced options menu and select the Repair your PC option. Here are instructions on how to work with the Advanced Startup Menu. From there, in the advanced menu, you should see several restoration options. From them, choose Advanced Options>Startup Repair. But to restore from an image or any other way you must have the original Windows CD with you.

Option 2: To extract your files and completely reinstall Windows OS.

This option is the easier one. Simply copy your files using a live OS (as the example above) and reinstall Windows by again booting in the advanced startup menu, but, this time, choosing the Reset Your PC preference.

Ofcourse you may try to boot in Safe Mode and scan your computer using an anti-malware tool which will remove the Trojan before attempting the methods above. This can happen if you go to Advanced Options>Startup Settings and select Safe Mode. You may still try doing this it is highly unlikely that you will succeed, so we recommend just to copy your data and reinstall Windows just to be safe. And then download a reliable anti-malware tool which will protect your computer from attacks by a KillDisk Trojan in the future.

N.B. In case you manage to find your files, and they are damaged, try repairing your Windows without formatting your hard drive and then try to restore earlier versions. Here are several file recovery options:

Restore files damaged by KillDisk Disakil

Restore Files Damaged by KillDisk Disakil

To restore your data, your first bet is to check again for shadow copies in Windows using this software:

Shadow Explorer

Another method of restoring your files is by trying to bring back your files via data recovery software. Here are some examples of data recovery programs:

Also, to protect your files in the future, we have prepared instructions on how to back them up the proper way:

Back up your data to secure it against infections by KillDisk Disakil in the future

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 automatically with cloud backup and insure it against any type of data loss on your device, even the most severe. We recommend reading more about and downloading SOS Online Backup .

To back up your files via Windows and prevent any future intrusions, follow these instructions:

1. For Windows 7 and earlier

1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10

1. Enabling the Windows Defense Feature (Previous Versions)

1-Click on Windows Start Menu

2-Type Backup And Restore
3-Open it and click on Set Up Backup

4-A window will appear asking you where to set up backup. You should have a flash drive or an external hard drive. Mark it by clicking on it with your mouse then click on Next.

5-On the next window, the system will ask you what do you want to backup. Choose the ‘Let Me Choose’ option and then click on Next.

6-Click on ‘Save settings and run backup’ on the next window in order to protect your files from possible attacks by KillDisk Disakil.

1-Press Windows button + R

2-In the window type ‘filehistory’ and press Enter

3-A File History window will appear. Click on ‘Configure file history settings’

4-The configuration menu for File History will appear. Click on ‘Turn On’. After its on, click on Select Drive in order to select the backup drive. It is recommended to choose an external HDD, SSD or a USB stick whose memory capacity is corresponding to the size of the files you want to backup.

5-Select the drive then click on ‘Ok’ in order to set up file backup and protect yourself from KillDisk Disakil.

1- Press Windows button + R keys.

2- A run windows should appear. In it type ‘sysdm.cpl’ and then click on Run.

3- A System Properties windows should appear. In it choose System Protection.

5- Click on Turn on system protection and select the size on the hard disk you want to utilize for system protection.
6- Click on Ok and you should see an indication in Protection settings that the protection from KillDisk Disakil is on.

Restoring a file via Windows Defense feature:
1-Right-click on the damaged file, then choose Properties.

2-Click on the Previous Versions tab and then mark the last version of the file.

3-Click on Apply and Ok and the file damaged by KillDisk Disakil should be restored.

Ventsislav Krastev

Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.

How to Remove KillDisk Disakil from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove KillDisk Disakil

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

1. Hold Windows key() + R

2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.

3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".

Tip: Make sure to reverse those changes by unticking Safe Boot after that, because your system will always boot in Safe Boot from now on.

4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.

5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.

Step 2: Uninstall KillDisk Disakil 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:

1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.

2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.

3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.

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

1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.

2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.

3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.

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.

IMPORTANT!
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 KillDisk Disakil with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

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.

2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

4. 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.

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Get rid of KillDisk Disakil from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall KillDisk Disakil and remove related files and objects

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your Mac with SpyHunter for Mac

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter for Mac needs to purchased to remove the malware threats. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy

1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:

2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:

3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to KillDisk Disakil:

Tip: To quit a process completely, choose the “Force Quit” option.

4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.

5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to KillDisk Disakil. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.

6: Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to KillDisk Disakil. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.

7: Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:

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 KillDisk Disakil 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:

Disclaimer! If you are about to tamper with Library files on Mac, be sure to know the name of the virus file, because if you delete the wrong file, it may cause irreversible damage to your MacOS. Continue on your own responsibility!

1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:

2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:

3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as KillDisk Disakil. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.

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 KillDisk Disakil files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as KillDisk Disakil, 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.

Click the button below below to download SpyHunter for Mac and scan for KillDisk Disakil:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove KillDisk Disakil 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 Stop Push Pop-ups

Erase KillDisk Disakil 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 Stop Push Pop-ups

Uninstall KillDisk Disakil 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 Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove KillDisk Disakil 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 KillDisk Disakil will be removed.

How to Reset Safari
IMPORTANT: Before resetting Safari make sure you back up all your saved passwords within the browser in case you forget them.

Start Safari and then click on the gear leaver icon.

Click the Reset Safari button and you will reset the browser.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Eliminate KillDisk Disakil 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.