REMK Virus Removal (.remk File)

Remk Virus virus corrupts personal data and disrupts system security. This guide shows illustrated removal instructions on how to get rid of Remk virus infection.

Remk Virus Ransomware

Information released by security researchers confirms that the so-called Remk virus is another strain of the infamous STOP/Djvu ransomware. Remk ransomware virus is a devastating threat that corrupts essential system settings and then encrypts valuable personal files with the help of a strong cipher algorithm. Encrypted files remain inaccessible and their names are renamed with the malicious .remk extension. The main purpose of this ransomware is to extort a ransom fee from its victims. That’s why following encryption, it drops a ransom note file named _readme.txt

Threat Summary

Name	REMK
File Extension	.remk
Type	Ransomware, Cryptovirus
Short Description	The ransomware encrypts files on your computer system and demands a ransom to be paid to allegedly recover them.
Symptoms	The Remk STOP ransomware renames encrypted files with a malicious extension. You cannot use encrypted files. A ransom message forces you to contact hackers for more information on how to pay a ransom for a decryption key and a decryption tool.
Ransom Demanding Note	_readme.txt
Ransom Fee	$490 – $980 in Bitcoin
Distribution Method	Spam Emails, Email Attachments
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by REMK Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss REMK.

Remk Virus – More About the Infection Process

At the beginning of the attack, Remk virus creates several malicious files and entries that corrupt system settings and help it to evade detection. Then the ransomware accesses the Registry Editor tool to affect some major registry keys like RUN and RUNONCE. The reason for the corruption of these two registry keys is their specific functionality to execute files and programs automatically. So once Remk virus adds malicious values under the key RUN it starts loading on every system launch.

By being part of one of the biggest ransomware families STOP/Djvu, Remk virus is characterized by a high level of danger. The damage caused by this ransomware may cost victims a lot. Like previous STOP ranomware variants (Lokd virus, Foop virus) the Remk virus aims to locate valuable personal files stored on systems it infects and encode them with one or more cipher algorithms.

As regards the spread of Remk ransomware virus, it is likely to be realized via techniques like spam emails, email attachments, hacked web pages, and corrupted freeware installers. Since malspam propagation technique enables hackers to spread their malicious code on a large scale it is considered to be the main one.

Malwpam (massive email spam campaigns try to deliver malicious code) is a technique that has its traits. So how to recognize an email that endangers the overall security of your PC and data stored on its drives? First look for some attached files of common types or links presented as buttons, images, plain URLs or other clickable forms. If you can notice such elements then avoid interacting with them. If you believe that you should view the content then scan the file / the link with online malware scanners like VirusTotal. The results will provide information about the security level of the content.

Among the most popular Windows file types that are used by malware are executable files, documents and other Microsoft Office files, application files, script files, PDFs, temporary files and other.

.Remk File Extension

The name of this STOP ransomware strain is a derivative of the malicious extension it appends to encrypted files. The encryption stage takes place after the completion of all initial attack stages. To encode personal files, Remk ransomware launches a built-in cipher module. Following encryption, corrupted files remain inaccessible and renamed with the malicious extension .REMK

Unfortunately, all files that store important personal information including document, music, project, database, image, video, backup, archive, and audio files are among the targets of REMK virus

In fact, the end goal of Remk ransomware virus is to blackmail its victims into paying a ransom fee to hackers who stand behind the attacks. A ransom note file called _readme.txt informs that the decryption of corrupted files can be realized after a payment of $490 – $980 ransom fee. The full content of this file can be seen below:

ATTENTION!

Don’t worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like photos, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
https://we.tl/t-7YSRbcuaMa
Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that’s price for you is $490.
Please note that you’ll never restore your data without payment.
Check your e-mail “Spam” or “Junk” folder if you don’t get answer more than 6 hours.

To get this software you need write on our e-mail:

Reserve e-mail address to contact us:

Your personal ID:

We strongly advise against any contacts with cybercriminals. The ransom payment isn’t a good option as well. This step does not guarantee the recovery of your encrypted files. Oftentimes, hackers skip answering their victims. So you may get tricked once again.

How to Remove Remk Ransomware Virus and Restore Files

The so-called Remk ransomware virus is a threat with a highly complex code that disrupts system security in order to encrypt personal files. Hence the infected system could be used in a secure manner again only after you remove all malicious files and objects created by the ransomware. The steps presented in the ransomware removal guide below will help you with the complete removal process. Beware that the manual ransomware removal is suitable for more experienced computer users. If you don’t feel comfortable with the manual steps navigate to the automatic part of the guide. It is also worth mentioning that personal data remains encrypted even after the complete removal of Remk ransomware. Its removal only prevents it from causing further encryptions and security issues.

At this point, STOP ransomware strains associated with .Remk extension are not decryptable by Michael Gillespie or Emsisoft free decryption tools. However, as soon as we notice security researchers’ announcement about an update that supports the decryption of Remk STOP ransomware variants we will update this article with information on how to decrypt files for free.

Gergana Ivanova

Gergana has a bachelor's degree in Marketing. She has been with the STF team for five years, researching malware, reporting on the latest computer infections, and following digital marketing trends.

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• Guide 1: How to Remove REMK from Windows.
• Guide 2: Get rid of REMK from Mac OS X.

Windows Mac OS X

How to Remove REMK from Windows.

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

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

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1. Hold Windows key() + R

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

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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.

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

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

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Step 2: Uninstall REMK 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:

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

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

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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.

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

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

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

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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 REMK with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

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

Download

Malware Removal Tool

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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.

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

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

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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.

Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by REMK.

Ransomware infections and REMK 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.

1. Download the reccomended Data Recovery software by clicking on the link underneath:

Stellar Data Recovery Technician Version

If the above link does not work for you and your region, try the other two links below, that lead to the same product:

Stellar Data Recovery Technician Version (2nd link)

and

Stellar Data Recovery Technician Version

2. On the download page, click on the "Download" button:

3. Click on "Save File" button:

4. Accept all agreements and click "Next":

5. After all the "Next" steps, click on "Install" and then wait for the installation to complete:

6. Run the software. Click on the location to scan for missing or deleted files and click on "Scan":

7. Wait for the scan to complete, it may take some time. Be advised that this scan is not 100% guaranteed to recover all files, but it does have some chance to get your data back:

Windows Mac OS X

Get rid of REMK from Mac OS X.

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Step 1: Uninstall REMK 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:

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2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:

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

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

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

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

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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 REMK. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.

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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 REMK 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 REMK. 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.

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Step 2: Scan for and remove REMK files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as REMK, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. Combo Cleaner offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.

Download

Combo Cleaner

Step 3 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by REMK on your Mac.

Ransomware for Mac REMK aims to encode all your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decode, unless you pay money. This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files, but only in some cases. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.

1. Download the recommended Data Recovery Mac app by clicking on the link underneath:

Stellar Data Recovery Technician Version