.Scarab Ransomware – Remove It and Restore Encrypted Files

A blog post created to show you how to properly remove the .scarab file extension ransomware, how to protect yourself from Scarab Ransomware infections and how to try and restore files that have been encrypted by it.

AES encryption algorithm is the cipher used by the ransomware infection, known as Scarab ransomware virus. This type of virus is from the file encryption kind, meaning that it scrambles the files on your computer after it infects it and then asks you to pay a ransom “fee” in BitCoin in order to get them back. The virus also adds the file extension .scarab to the encrypted files and a text file, named “IF_YOU_WANT_TO_GET_ALL_YOUR_FILES_BACK_PLEASE_READ_THIS.TXT” which gives the victim instructions on how to make the payoff. If you are one of the victims of .scarab ransomware, we advise you to read this article.

Threat Summary

Name	Scarab
Type	Ransomware, Cryptovirus
Short Description	Encrypts the important files on the infected computer and then asks it’s owner to pay a ransom to retrieve them.
Symptoms	Files are appended the .scarab file extension and are no longer openable. Added ransom note, named “IF_YOU_WANT_TO_GET_ALL_YOUR_FILES_BACK_PLEASE_READ_THIS.TXT”.
Distribution Method	Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executable files
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by Scarab Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss Scarab.
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.

.scarab Ransomware – Update November 2017

A new wave of e-mails that are distributing Scarab ransomware has been reported to be detected by malware researchers. The number of submissions on the website, created to assist victims with identifying ransomware ID ransomware has also risen in a masisve spike, like never before.

Scarab emails disguised as archives carrying scanned images from fake services and companies. The pattern of spam is very similar to the Necurs botnet spam campaign. These e-mails aim to deceive you that you are receiving e-mails coming directly from companies, such as Lexmar, HP, Canon, Epson and others. The e-mails themselves have been reported to contain a 7Zip type of archive which as a .vbs file in it. When this .VBS script is activated, it connects to a remote host, from which it downloads and runs an .exe executable type of file, which is the malicious file of Scarab ransomware. Here is how the e-mails look like, reported from researcher Brad at malware-traffic-analysis.net:

When the archive itself is opened, the Scarab ransomware virus may display the VBS (Visual Basic Script) file which is embedded within it. The file may have a name similar to the following:

image-392241212-421312-421.vbs

In the event that you encounter such file, recommendations are to not open it under any circumstances.

Scarab Ransomware – Distribution Methods

In order to infect your computer, the cyber-criminals by Scarab ransomware, may engineer multiple different methods to slither the virus files. These methods include the usage of different tools such as:

• Exploit kits.
• Web injectors.
• Fake updates.
• E-mail spam messages.
• Malicious e-mail attachments.
• Web-injectors.
• Infected software setups.
• Malicious macros.

All of these tools may result in spreading Scarab ransomware via:

• E-mail spam messages that pretend they contain a legitimate web link or an e-mail attachment.
• Fake setups uploaded on websites for a program which the victim is looking to download.
• Software activators, fake game cracks or other activation executables.
• Malicious web links posted as spam on forums, social media, etc.

Analysis of the .Scarab File Virus

When an infection with the Scarab ransomware virus happens, the unthinkable becomes reality. The first stage of activity of the virus on your computer is to prepare the PC for file encryption. It may initially connect to the command and control server of the cyber-criminals behind the virus. Then, the .scarab file virus may relay system information from the infected computer and uniquely identify it, using fuctions within it’s malicious executable. The malicious file of Scarab Ransomware is a random named .exe file and it may reside in various %SystemDrive% directories.

Besides the primary malicious file of this virus, a text file is dropped that has the ransom note message for the victim to read and pay the fee. It is named IF_YOU_WANT_TO_GET_ALL_YOUR_FILES_BACK_PLEASE_READ_THIS.TXT and has the following contents:

*** IF YOU WANT TO GET ALL YOUR FILES BACK, PLEASE READ THIS ***
Your files are now encrypted!
—–BEGIN PERSONAL IDENTIFIER—–
**************************************
—–END PERSONAL IDENTIFIER—–
All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC.
Now you should send us email with your personal identifier.
This email will be as confirmation you are ready to pay for decryption key.
You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us.
After payment we will send you the decryption tool that will decrypt all your files.
Contact us using this email address: [email protected]
Free decryption as guarantee!
Before paying you can send us up to 3 files for free decryption.
The total size of files must be less than 5Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information (databases, backups, large excel sheets, etc.).
How to obtain Bitcoins?
* 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:
https://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins
* Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:
http://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.

In addition to this, the Scarab ransomware does not stop there. The virus may also delete the shadow volume copies on your infected computer. This Is achieved by using the vssadmin command which the ransomware executes as an administrator:

Scarab Ransomware – Encryption Process

The encryption process of this virus is conducted via the AES encryption algorithm to encrypt the files and the base64 to rename them. To the encrypted files, the Scarab virus adds the file extension .scarab and they appear like the following:

Scarab ransomware targets specific files which it renders corrupt. These are documents, pictures, videos, audio files, archives and other files that are often used. The most targeted file types which are encrypted are the following:

→ “PNG .PSD .PSPIMAGE .TGA .THM .TIF .TIFF .YUV .AI .EPS .PS .SVG .INDD .PCT .PDF .XLR .XLS .XLSX .ACCDB .DB .DBF .MDB .PDB .SQL .APK .APP .BAT .CGI .COM .EXE .GADGET .JAR .PIF .WSF .DEM .GAM .NES .ROM .SAV CAD Files .DWG .DXF GIS Files .GPX .KML .KMZ .ASP .ASPX .CER .CFM .CSR .CSS .HTM .HTML .JS .JSP .PHP .RSS .XHTML. DOC .DOCX .LOG .MSG .ODT .PAGES .RTF .TEX .TXT .WPD .WPS .CSV .DAT .GED .KEY .KEYCHAIN .PPS .PPT .PPTX ..INI .PRF Encoded Files .HQX .MIM .UUE .7Z .CBR .DEB .GZ .PKG .RAR .RPM .SITX .TAR.GZ .ZIP .ZIPX .BIN .CUE .DMG .ISO .MDF .TOAST .VCD SDF .TAR .TAX2014 .TAX2015 .VCF .XML Audio Files .AIF .IFF .M3U .M4A .MID .MP3 .MPA .WAV .WMA Video Files .3G2 .3GP .ASF .AVI .FLV .M4V .MOV .MP4 .MPG .RM .SRT .SWF .VOB .WMV 3D .3DM .3DS .MAX .OBJ R.BMP .DDS .GIF .JPG ..CRX .PLUGIN .FNT .FON .OTF .TTF .CAB .CPL .CUR .DESKTHEMEPACK .DLL .DMP .DRV .ICNS .ICO .LNK .SYS .CFG”Source:fileinfo.com

Remove Scarab Ransomware and Restore Your Files

Scarab ransomware is no virus to underestimate and this is why we advise you to backup your files even if they are encrypted. Then you should remove the virus files by using the instructions below. Bear in mind that Scarab is the type of virus which may create multiple objects with functions that may damage your Windows if you try to delete it. This is why a ransomware-specific removal software is recommend to perform the removal of Scarab ransomware automatically.

To restore your files, you can try the alternative methods in step “2. Restore files encrypted by Scarab” below. They are specifically designed to help restore at least a potion of the data, at least until a free decrypter is released by security researchers.

Manually delete Scarab from your computer

Note! Substantial notification about the Scarab threat: Manual removal of Scarab requires interference with system files and registries. Thus, it can cause damage to your PC. Even if your computer skills are not at a professional level, don’t worry. You can do the removal yourself just in 5 minutes, using a malware removal tool.

1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Scarab files and objects

Boot Your PC Into Safe Mode

1. For Windows 7,XP and Vista. 2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. Fix registry entries created by Scarab on your PC.

For Windows XP, Vista, 7 systems:

1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu.
2. Select one of the two options provided below:

– For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again.

– For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system.

3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“.

4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account

While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.

Step 1: Open the Start Menu

Step 2: Whilst holding down Shift button, click on Power and then click on Restart.
Step 3: After reboot, the aftermentioned menu will appear. From there you should choose Troubleshoot.

Step 4: You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu you can choose Advanced Options.

Step 5: After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.

Step 6: Click on Restart.

Step 7: A menu will appear upon reboot. You should choose Safe Mode by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart.

Some malicious scripts may modify the registry entries of your computer to change different settings. This is why manual clean up of your Windows Registry Database is strongly recommended. Since the tutorial on how to do this is a bit lenghty, we recommend following our instructive article about fixing registry entries.

2.Find malicious files created by Scarab on your PC

Find malicious files created by Scarab

1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. 2. For Windows 7,XP and Vista.

For Newer Windows Operating Systems

Step 1:

On your keyboard press  + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.

Step 2:

Click on your PC from the quick access bar. This is usually an icon with a monitor and its name is either “My Computer”, “My PC” or “This PC” or whatever you have named it.

Step 3:

Navigate to the search box in the top-right of your PC’s screen and type “fileextension:” and after which type the file extension. If you are looking for malicious executables, an example may be “fileextension:exe”. After doing that, leave a space and type the file name you believe the malware has created. Here is how it may appear if your file has been found:

N.B. We recommend to wait for the green loading bar in the navination box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn’t found it yet.

For Older Windows Operating Systems

In older Windows OS’s the conventional approach should be the effective one:

Step 1:

Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.

Step 2:

After the search window appears, choose More Advanced Options from the search assistant box. Another way is by clicking on All Files and Folders.

Step 3:

After that type the name of the file you are looking for and click on the Search button. This might take some time after which results will appear. If you have found the malicious file, you may copy or open its location by right-clicking on it.

Now you should be able to discover any file on Windows as long as it is on your hard drive and is not concealed via special software.

Automatically remove Scarab by downloading an advanced anti-malware program

1. Remove Scarab with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data

Remove Scarab with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Install SpyHunter to scan for and remove Scarab.2. Scan with SpyHunter to Detect and Remove Scarab. Back up your data to secure it against infections and file encryption by Scarab in the future.

Step 1:Click on the “Download” button to proceed to SpyHunter’s download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is highly 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.

Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.
Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to automatically update.

Step1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Scan Computer Now’ button.

Step2: After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any Scarab files, click on the ‘Fix Threats’ button to remove them automatically and permanently.

Step3: Once the intrusions on your PC have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart it.

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 .

SOS Online Backup

2. Restore files encrypted by Scarab

Restore Files Encrypted by Scarab

Ransomware infections like Scarab aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to directly decrypt. This is why we have suggested several alternative methods that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that they may not be 100% effective but they may help you little or a lot in some situations.

Method 1: Scanning your drive’s sectors by using Data Recovery software.
Another method of restoring your files is by trying to bring back your files via data recovery software. Here are some suggestions for preferred data recovery software solutions:

• Stellar Phoenix Data Recovery Technicians License(Pro version with more features)
• Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery
• Stellar Phoenix Photo Recovery

Method 2: Trying Kaspersky and EmsiSoft’s decryptors.
If the first method does not work, we suggest trying to use decryptors for other ransomware viruses, in case your virus is a variant of them. The two primary developers of decryptors are Kaspersky and EmsiSoft, links to which we have provided below:

• Kaspersky Decryptors
• Emsisoft Decryptors

Urgent! It is strongly advisable to first remove the Scarab threat before attempting any decryption, since it may interfere with system files and registries. You can do the removal yourself just in 5 minutes, using an advanced malware removal tool.

Method 3: Using Shadow Explorer

To restore your data in case you have backup set up, it is important to check for shadow copies in Windows using this software if ransomware has not deleted them:

• Shadow Explorer

Method 4: Finding Scarab decryption key while it communicates it via a network sniffing software.

Another way to decrypt the files is by using a Network Sniffer to get the encryption key, while files are encrypted on your system. A Network Sniffer is a program and/or device monitoring data traveling over a network, such as its internet traffic and internet packets. If you have a sniffer set before the attack happened you might get information about the decryption key. See how-to instructions below:

Instructions on How to Find Decryption Key for Files Encrypted By Ransowmare

Optional: Using Alternative Anti-Malware Tools

Remove Scarab Using Other Alternative Tools

STOPZilla Anti Malware

1. Download and Install STOPZilla Anti-malware to Scan for And Remove Scarab.
Step 1: Download STOPZilla by clicking here.
Step 2: A pop-up window will appear. Click on the ‘Save File’ button. If it does not, click on the Download button and save it afterwards.

Step 3: After you have downloaded the setup, simply open it.
Step 4: The installer should appear. Click on the ‘Next’ button.

Step 5: Check the ‘I accept the agreement’ check circle if not checked if you accept it and click the ‘Next’ button once again.

Step 6: Review and click on the ‘Install’ button.

Step 7: After the installation process has completed click on the ‘Finish’ button.

2. Scan your PC with STOPZilla Anti Malware to remove all Scarab associated files completely.
Step 1: Launch STOPZilla if you haven’t launched it after install.
Step 2: Wait for the software to automatically scan and then click on the ‘Repair Now’ button. If it does not scan automatically, click on the ‘Scan Now’ button.

Step 3: After the removal of all threats and associated objects, you should Restart your PC.

Vencislav Krustev

Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.

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