Napoleon is the name of a newly discovered ransomware threat that attacks online users in order to encrypt valuable files. Once Napoleon corrupts all target files it appends an extension of the same name .napoleon to their names. A vivid trait of the infection is also a ransom that appears on the PC screen. It is contained in a file with name How_Decrypt_Files.hta which is dropped on the system. The ransom note does not reveal what ransom amount is demanded for the decryption of .napoleon files.
This article aims to help those of you who are trying to remove Napoleon ransomware from the infected device. In it are also presented alternative recovery methods for .napoleon files.
Threat Summary
| Name | Napoleon |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | The ransomware virus encrypts files on your PC and a ransom note will be left demanding that you pay an unspecified amount of money in Bitcoins, after contacting the extortionists. |
| Symptoms | This ransomware will encrypt your files and then append the extension .napoleon on every encrypted file. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executable Files |
| Detection Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by Napoleon Download Malware Removal Tool | User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Napoleon. |
| 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. |
Napoleon Ransomware – Distribution
The ransomware infection may be spread via various techniques with spam email campaigns being the most preferred one. Such emails are usually with spoofed email address and sender. To make the emails look more trustworthy hackers may pose as representatives from popular websites, organizations and even governmental entities. The main aim is to trick you into downloading a malicious file attachment that may be a document, an archive, a picture, a project, or other file types so you can open it on the PC. Once you do this, the Napoleon ransomware payload executes on the system and triggers the infection process. Another way of Napoleon ransomware distribution may be links that land on corrupted web pages. The ransomware payload is usually set to penetrate the system unnoticeably and launches its payload.
Fake notifications for software updates may also be used for Napoleon ransomware distribution. They could pop up during online browsing session disguising as reminders of widely used programs.
Napoleon Ransomware – Infection Flow
The infection is triggered by a Trojan that is associated with another ransomware called Blind. The Blind crypto virus was first detected by our team in September this year. Now it seems that the code of the threat is modified and released in a new active attack campaign against online users.
The analyses of the new Napoleon ransomware samples reveal that it has a rather complex code so it can perform various malicious actions. Once the Trojan penetrates the system, it can delete files and stop various processes. Both actions are believed to be performed in order that Napoleon could easily bypass the available security layers and establish its malicious files on the system. Then the threat can create additional files and terminate processes that enable the attack. The folders where Napoleon may locate some of its files are:
- %AppData%
- %Temp%
- %Roaming%
- %Common%
- %System32%
To achieve persistence, the Napoleon ransomware could access the Windows Registry editor where it can enter new entries. Usually, crypto viruses like Napoleon make changes to keys that can execute the malicious files established on the host. As a result, the ransomware can start each time the Windows Operating System is launched. One of the main target keys is the Run registry key:
→HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
At the end of the attack Napoleon ransomware drops a file named How_Decrypt_Files.hta that contains a message by crooks. In it, they state that the only way to decrypt .napoleon files is by using the special Napoleon decrypter. Even though that there is no information whether they demand a ransom or not it is most likely that they will try to blackmail you to transfer them Bitcoins. Below you can see what the ransom message reads and how it does look like:
Attention!
Your documents, photos, databases and other important files have been encrypted cryptographically strong, without the original key recovery is impossible! To decrypt your files you need to buy the special software – NAPOLEON DECRYPTED Using another tools could corrupt your files, in case of using third party software we don’t give guarantees that full recovery is possible so use it on your own risk.
If you want to restore files, write us to the e-mail: [email protected] In subject line write encryption and attach your ID in body of your message also attach to email 3 crypted files. (files have to less than 2MB)
It is in your interest to respond as soon as possible to ensure the restoration of your files, because we wont keep your decryption keys at our server more than one week in interest of our security.
Only in case you do not receive a response from the first email address within 48 hours, please use this alternative email address: [email protected]
Your personal identification number:
Under no circumstances, you should contact and negotiate with the hackers. First, they can access your system and make it an easy gateway for additional malware infections. Second, by acting on their rules and paying the ransom, you can only encourage them to continue spreading devastating infections like Napoleon. In this article, you can find a secure solution to the problem so you will be able to regain the control over your PC and files without funding crooks.
Napoleon Ransomware – Data Encryption
If the Napoleon crypto virus really has something in common with the Blind ransomware or somehow uses its code, it is likely to target the same file types. The following list reveals all data that may be affected after the attack occurs:
→.1c, .3fr, .accdb, .ai, .arw, .bac, .bay, .bmp, .cdr, .cer, .cfg, .config, .cr2, .crt, .crw, .css, .csv, .db, .dbf, .dcr, .der, .dng, .doc, .docm, .docx, .dwg, .dxf, .dxg, .eps, .erf, .gif, .htm, .html, .indd, .iso, .jpe, .jpeg, .jpg, .kdc, .lnk, .mdb, .mdf, .mef, .mk, .mp3, .mp4, .mrw, .nef, .nrw, .odb, .ode, .odm, .odp, .ods, .odt, .orf, .p12, .p7b, .p7c, .pdd, .pdf, .pef, .pem, .pfx, .php, .png, .ppt, .pptm, .pptx, .psd, .pst, .ptx, .r3d, .rar, .raw, .rtf, .rw2, .rwl, .sql, .sr2, .srf, .srw, .tif, .wb2, .wma, .wpd, .wps, .x3f, .xlk, .xls, .xlsb, .xlsm, .xlsx, .zip
For the encryption process, the ransomware is likely to utilize strong cipher algorithm that modifies the original code of predefined files. All the encrypted files can be recognized by the specific extensions appended at the end of their filenames. The Napoleon follows the pattern .[ [email protected]].napoleon where the first extension is the cybercriminals’ support email. Corrupted files remain unusable until a proper solution is applied for their recovery.
To eliminate one of the data recovery options, Napoleon could delete the Shadow Volume Copies created and stored by the Windows Operating System.
Remove Napoleon Ransomware – Restore .napoleon Files
Napoleon ransomware is a devastating infection that should be removed as soon as it is detected on the PC. Only after its complete removal from the system, you can use the device normally again. Otherwise, the ransomware will start its malicious files each time you start the PC, encrypt all your new files which are part of its target list and interrupt the regular system performance. The step-by-step Napoleon ransomware removal guide below will help you to get rid of the threat once and forever. Security researchers recommend the help of advanced anti-malware tool for maximum efficiency.
After the removal of the ransomware be advised to back up all encrypted files to an external drive and then proceed with the file restore process which can also be found in the instructions below.
