Rastar Ransomware
Do you see the strange extension .rastar appended to the names of your valuable files? In such an unfortunate event you should know that the ransomware Rastar is running on your PC. It is another malicious software that has been developed with the goal to blackmail people into sponsoring hackers’ operations.
Rastar virus is known to invade computer operating systems without people being able to register any suspicious activities. Typically, ransomware threats obtain access to PCs via malicious attachments, hacked websites, torrent files, freeware installers, and fake system notifications. Once running on a PC, Rastar is able to corrupt essential system settings which will lower system security.
Afterward, the threat will reach target files to transform their code with a specific cipher algorithm. This encryption process will make files completely inaccessible. Corrupted files are those that contain the extension .rastar in their names. According to hackers, their recovery is possible only with their help. However, there is never a guarantee that they will act as they promise.
Check out more details about Rastar ransomware and find out how to remove it completely from the infected PC.
Rastar Summary
| Name | Rastar also known as FileRepMalware, Trojan.MSIL.Basic.6.Gen, HEUR:Trojan.MSIL.AntiAV.gen, ML.Attribute.HighConfidence |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | A data locker ransomware that encodes valuable files with sophisticated cipher algorithm and demands a ransom fee for their decryption. |
| Symptoms | Important files are locked and renamed with .rastar extension. Hackers attempt to blackmail you into paying a ransom for a decryption tool. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Infected Software Installers |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Rastar. |
| 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. |
Rastar Ransomware Virus
Rastar is ransomware that once started on a PC will try to bypass active security measures and complete its attack to the end. It is malicious software that has been created to pass through several different stages. This way it compromises essential system settings and encodes personal files to extort a ransom.
Rastar ransomware will apply some changes that will enable it to stay unnoticed on the system as long as possible. Like a typical ransomware, it is likely to affect the Windows Registry. Windows Registry is a hierarchical database that stores low-level settings that support the proper system performance. Malicious values may appear under specific registry keys such as Run and RunOnce in case of infection with the Rastar virus. This move will enable the ransomware to load automatically on every system start. Hence, it will encode newly created files and keep the system vulnerable to additional malware intrusions.
The spread of Rastar ransomware payload files is likely to happen via different mechanisms including spam emails with malicious attachments, hacked websites, URL addresses to these websites, cracks, software keys, and various free programs.
Once the encryption stage is a fact, Rastar ransomware will activate a specially crafted cipher module that will scan system drives for target files and encodes them with a strong encryption algorithm. Corrupted may be all of the following files:
- Audio files
- Video files
- Document files
- Image files
- Backup files
- Banking credentials, etc.
The encryption process enables the ransomware to restrict access to data stored by corrupted files. Inaccessible files will be all files that contain the extension .rastar in their names.
All nasty consequences of an infection with the Rastar virus are misused by hackers. They will try to blackmail you into contacting them and paying them a ransom fee for a decryption tool that will supposedly recover .rastar files. However, they are cybercriminals in the first place. Don’t forget it. They may say many things but no one can ever be sure that they will act as promised.
The nasty message left by Rastar ransomware can be read in a file called HOW_TO_DECYPHER_FILES.txt. This file will appear somewhere on the system at the end of the attack. Here is a copy of its content:
What Happen to my computer?
Your important files are encrypted. Many of your documents, photos, passwords, databases and other files are no longer accessible because they have been encrypted. Maybe you are busy looking for way to recover your files , but do not waste your time. Nobody can recover your files without our decryption KEY (if somebody will tell that they can do it, they will also contact me and I will make the price so much expensive than if you contact directly)
– Can i Recover My Files?
Sure. We guarantee that you can recover all your files safely and easily But You have not so enough time . So If you want to decrypt all your files, you need to pay . You only have 12H to submit the payment. After that price will be higher also, If the transaction is not completed within 24 hours your files will be permanently deleted.
Send e-mail to this address: datarecovery@asiarecovery.irYou have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins.
How to obtain Bitcoins
How To buy bitcoins hxxps://buy.bitcoin.com/
The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click ‘Buy bitcoins’, and select the seller by payment method and price.
hxxps://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins
Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:
hxxp://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/
Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.Key Identifier:
Although hackers claim that you will receive an efficient decryption tool for .rastar files, we recommend that you avoid paying them the ransom. There is no guarantee that their tool will be able to decrypt encoded files. It may leave them as broken as they are or even make them completely irreparable. What we advise is to back up your .rastar files to an external drive and wait until hackers release a free decryption tool for this ransomware threat. Once you ensure that you have copies of corrupted files you can attempt to restore some of the files on the system by using alternative techniques and tools. Find out about them in the guide that follows.
Remove Rastar Ransomware Virus
Rastar ransomware is a threat with highly complex code designed to corrupt 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 this purpose, you could use our removal guide that reveals how to clean and secure your system step by step. In addition, the steps below will present you with several alternative data recovery approaches that may be helpful in attempting to restore files encrypted by Scarab Rastar ransomware. 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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Attention! SensorsTechForum strongly recommends that all malware victims should look for assistance only by reputable sources. Many guides out there claim to offer free recovery and decryption for files encrypted by ransomware viruses. Be advised that some of them may only be after your money.
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.
- Make sure that real people are behind the site and not fake names and profiles.
- Verify Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter personal profiles.
How to Remove Rastar from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Rastar
Step 2: Uninstall Rastar 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 Rastar 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 Rastar 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: Scan for Rastar with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Rastar.
Ransomware infections and Rastar 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 top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Get rid of Rastar from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Rastar 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 Rastar 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 3 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Rastar.
Ransomware infections and Rastar 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 top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Rastar FAQ
What is Rastar ransomware and how does it work?
Rastar 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 algorithm how 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.
How does Rastar ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.Rastar Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing e-mails, 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.
After you download and execute this attachment, a drive-by download occurs and your computer is infected with the ransomware virus.
Another way, you may become a victim of Rastar 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 .Rastar files?
You can't. At this point the .Rastar files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted.
Decryptor did not decrypt my data. What now?
Do not panic and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your .Rastar files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by Rastar ransomware is to use a decryptor for it. But since it's a new virus, advised that the decryption keys for it may not be out yet and available to the public. We will update this article and keep you posted as soon as this decryptor is released.
How Do I restore ".Rastar" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Rastar files.
These methods are in no way 100% guarantee that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How do I get rid of Rastar ransomware virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti malware software. It will scan for and locate Rastar ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Rastar files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like Rastar ransomware also install Trojans and keyloggers that can steal your passwords and accounts. Scanning your computer with an anti-malware software will make sure that all of these virus components are removed and your computer is protected in the future.
What to Do If nothing works?
There is still a lot you can do. If none of the above methods seem to work for you, then try these methods:
- Try to find a safe computer from where you can can login on your own line accounts like One Drive, iDrive, Google Drive and so on.
- Try to contact your friends, relatives and other people so that they can check if they have some of your important photos or documents just in case you sent them.
- Also, check if some of the files that were encrypted it can be re-downloaded from the web.
- Another clever way to get back some of your files is to find another old computer, a flash drive or even a CD or a DVD where you may have saved your older documents. You might be surprised what will turn up.
- You can also go to your email account to check if you can send any attachments to other people. Usually what is sent the email is saved on your account and you can re-download it. But most importantly, make sure that this is done from a safe computer and make sure to remove the virus first.
More tips you can find on our forums, where you can also asks any questions about your ransomware problem.
How to 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.
