There is a 
ransomware called Sanction. Its name comes from the extension .Sanction it attaches to encrypted files. For encryption, the ransomware uses an RSA-256 bit algorithm. The ransom asks payment of 3 Bitcoins within the first 72 hours after encryption.
To remove the ransomware and see how to try restoring your files, you should read the article.
Threat Summary
| Name | Sanction |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Short Description | The ransomware encrypts files with 256 bit RSA algorithm and demands a ransom for decryption. |
| Symptoms | Files get encrypted and become inaccessible. A ransom message with instructions for paying the ransom is in a file that appears on your desktop. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, File Sharing Networks |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Sanction. |
| 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. |
Sanction Ransomware – Delivery
Sanction ransomware can be delivered various ways. One is via spam emails which contain an attachment with a malicious file. If that attachment is opened, it will automatically inject malware inside your PC. Malicious code can also hide in the text of the email itself. That signifies that you can be infected only from opening the email, regardless if you opened the attachment. Exploit kits are not used to distribute this variant of the ransomware.
Other ways of delivery for this ransomware are social networks and file sharing services, which may contain malicious attachments and files related to the Sanction ransomware. The files can be introduced to you as ones you need or something useful. Visiting untrusted websites and clicking links that are suspicious can lead to an infection from this malware as well. If a file is downloaded to your PC, know that your computer might be compromised and remotely accessed from a Trojan horse.
Sanction Ransomware – Technical Information
The Sanction malware is classified by researchers as a ransomware. When your computer is infected an executable or type of batch file is created, and the ransomware could make new entries in the Windows Registry for endurance.
The executable can have a different name on different computers and be generated at random. Modifications in the Windows Registry are usually created in the following registry entries:
HKLM/Software/Microsoft/WindowsNT/CurrentVersion/Winlogon/Shell
and
HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run/
Unfortunately, that can make the ransomware load automatically with each start of the Windows operating system.
Afterward, the ransomware creates a file with a name, similar to HOW_TO_DECRYPT.HTML which has the ransom message inside. Here you can view how that file looks:
The instructions in it of how the ransom can be paid are always the same:
Your unique GUID for decrypt: j43as8fk-29gp-61da-3671-h03c83472r74
Send me some 3 bitcoin on adress: 1HTeqoW6HKPxxn5y7HrjeQNaLJTa7LxKC
After confirming the payment, all your files can be decrypted.
If you do not make payment within 3 days, you will lose the ability to decrypt them.
Make your Bitcoin Wallet on: https://www.coinbase.com/ or https://blockchain.info
How to buy /sell and send Bitcoin :
1)https://support.coinbase.com/customer/en/portal/topics/796531-payment-method-verification/articles
2)https://support.coinbase.com/customer/en/portal/topics/601090-buying-selling-bitcoin/articles
3)https://support.coinbase.com/customer/en/portal/topics/601112-sending-receiving-bitcoin/articlesAfter the payment, enter the wallet from which paid, and email, in which contact you.
After receiving the payment, we will contact you.
You are asked to pay 3 Bitcoins within 3 days. When writing this article, that amounts to 1248 US dollars.
Contacting the ransomware makers with the intention of paying the ransom money is NOT advised. Absolutely no guarantee exists that you will have your files unlocked and restored. Paying ransomware creators is also considered the same as supporting their criminal activity. That could encourage them to make an even tougher version of the malware.
The Sanction ransomware searches files for encryption with files found on your Disk drives. Files that can be encrypted have these extensions:
→.odc, .odm, .odp, .ods, .odt, .txt, .pdf, .psd, .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx, .jpeg, .jpg, .png, .bmp, .csv, .sql, .mdb, sln, .asp, .aspx, .html, .xml, .php
After the encryption process is complete, encrypted files have the .Sanction extension. The encryption method used is suspected to be RSA-256 bit. Researcher Fabian Wosar of EMSIsoft has found that the cyber-criminals used the Hidden Tear’s project as a foundation for their ransomware.
For now, it is not known if Shadow Volume Copies are deleted from Windows. After the removal of the ransomware, you should check the fourth part of the instructions provided below, containing a few ways for restoring your files you could try.
Remove Sanction Ransomware and Restore .Sanction Encrypted Files
If you were infected by the Sanction ransomware, you should have a little bit of experience in removing malware. The ransomware can lock all of your files if you don’t act fast. So it is highly recommended that you are quick and follow the step-by-step instructions given below.
- Step 1
- Step 2
- Step 3
- Step 4
- Step 5
Step 1: Scan for Sanction with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall Sanction and related malware 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 delete most unwanted and malicious programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Sanction 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 Sanction 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: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Sanction
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Sanction.
Method 1: Use STOP Decrypter by Emsisoft.
Not all variants of this ransomware can be decrypted for free, but we have added the decryptor used by researchers that is often updated with the variants which become eventually decrypted. You can try and decrypt your files using the instructions below, but if they do not work, then unfortunately your variant of the ransomware virus is not decryptable.
Follow the instructions below to use the Emsisoft decrypter and decrypt your files for free. You can download the Emsisoft decryption tool linked here and then follow the steps provided below:
1 Right-click on the decrypter and click on Run as Administrator as shown below:
2. Agree with the license terms:
3. Click on "Add Folder" and then add the folders where you want files decrypted as shown underneath:
4. Click on "Decrypt" and wait for your files to be decoded.
Note: Credit for the decryptor goes to Emsisoft researchers who have made the breakthrough with this virus.
Method 2: Use data recovery software
Ransomware infections and Sanction 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 the top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Sanction-FAQ
What is Sanction Ransomware?
Sanction 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 algorithms 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.
What Does Sanction Ransomware Do?
Ransomware in general is a malicious software that is designed to block access to your computer or files until a ransom is paid.
Ransomware viruses can also damage your system, corrupt data and delete files, resulting in the permanent loss of important files.
How Does Sanction Infect?
Via several ways.Sanction Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing emails, 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.
Another way you may become a victim of Sanction 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 .Sanction files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .Sanction files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted using a specific decryption key for the particular algorithm.
What to Do If a Decryptor Does Not Work?
Do not panic, and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your .Sanction files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".Sanction" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Sanction files.
These methods are in no way 100% guaranteed that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How To Get Rid of Sanction Virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti-malware program.
It will scan for and locate Sanction ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Sanction files.
Can I 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.
Can You Stop Ransomware from Encrypting Your Files?
Yes, you can prevent ransomware. The best way to do this is to ensure your computer system is updated with the latest security patches, use a reputable anti-malware program and firewall, backup your important files frequently, and avoid clicking on malicious links or downloading unknown files.
Can Sanction Ransomware Steal Your Data?
Yes, in most cases ransomware will steal your information. It is a form of malware that steals data from a user's computer, encrypts it, and then demands a ransom in order to decrypt it.
In many cases, the malware authors or attackers will threaten to delete the data or publish it online unless the ransom is paid.
Can Ransomware Infect WiFi?
Yes, ransomware can infect WiFi networks, as malicious actors can use it to gain control of the network, steal confidential data, and lock out users. If a ransomware attack is successful, it could lead to a loss of service and/or data, and in some cases, financial losses.
Should I Pay Ransomware?
No, you should not pay ransomware extortionists. Paying them only encourages criminals and does not guarantee that the files or data will be restored. The better approach is to have a secure backup of important data and be vigilant about security in the first place.
What Happens If I Don't Pay Ransom?
If you don't pay the ransom, the hackers may still have access to your computer, data, or files and may continue to threaten to expose or delete them, or even use them to commit cybercrimes. In some cases, they may even continue to demand additional ransom payments.
Can a Ransomware Attack Be Detected?
Yes, ransomware can be detected. Anti-malware software and other advanced security tools can detect ransomware and alert the user when it is present on a machine.
It is important to stay up-to-date on the latest security measures and to keep security software updated to ensure ransomware can be detected and prevented.
Do Ransomware Criminals Get Caught?
Yes, ransomware criminals do get caught. Law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, Interpol and others have been successful in tracking down and prosecuting ransomware criminals in the US and other countries. As ransomware threats continue to increase, so does the enforcement activity.
About the Sanction Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Sanction how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific malware and restore your encrypted files.
How did we conduct the research on this ransomware?
Our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, and as such, we receive daily updates on the latest malware and ransomware definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the Sanction ransomware threat is backed with VirusTotal and the NoMoreRansom project.
To better understand the ransomware threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
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