Scarab-Recovery Virus is a newly discovered release of the Scarab ransomware family. It is possible that future versions of it are going to feature updated code that add newer functions. Read our complete Scarab-Recovery Virus removal guide to learn more about it.
Threat Summary
| Name | Scarab-Recovery |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | The ransomware encrypts sensitive information on your computer system with the .Recovery extensions and demands a ransom to be paid to allegedly recover them. |
| Symptoms | The ransomware will encrypt your files with a strong encryption algorithm. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Scarab-Recovery. |
| 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-Recovery Virus – Distribution Ways
The Scarab-Recovery virus is being distributed using the familiar tactics associated with the ransomware family. At the moment there is no information about the identity of the hacker or criminal group behind the ongoing attacks. The attack campaigns seeem to be focused on targets on a worldwide scale utilizing the most common spread tactics.
Email phishing messages are constructed in order to fool the recipients into thinking that they are receiving a message from a legitimate Internet service or a well-known company. Instead they are offered the Scarab-Recovery virus files either attached or hyperlinked in the body contents.
Another mechanism that is used by the criminals is the creation of counterfeit download sites — they usually pose as well-known portals or the official vendor download page. Usually they utilize the text, images and elements that are taken from the real versions. Along with the email messages they are the main methods for spreading infected payloads. There are two main types:
- Documents — The Scarab-Recovery virus infection can be caused by macros-infected files of different types: rich text documents, presentations, spreadsheets and databases. Once they are opened by the victim users a notification prompt will appear asking them to enable the built-in scripts which leads to the virus infection.
- Infected Software Packages — The hackers can construct malicious application installers of the most commonly installed programs: productivity, creativity suites and system utilities.
Another mechanism that is used by the hackers is the inclusion of the Scarab-Recovery virus in browser hijackers. They are malicious plugins made for the most popular web browsers and are often uploaded to the relevant repositories. They are advertised as useful additions to the programs and make use of fake developer credentials and user reviews. Once they are installed they can redirect the victims to a hacker-controlled page and infect their computers with viruses, including the Scarab-Recovery virus strain.
Scarab-Recovery Virus – In-Depth Analysis
The Scarab-Recovery virus engine follows the well-known infection behavior tactics associated with the ransomware family. The modular sequence can begin the attacks with the information gathering component. It is used to scan for signatures belonging to security software that can interfere with the proper execution of the ransomware. The list includes any virtual machine hosts, sandbox/debug environments or anti-virus software. Their real-time engines can be bypassed or even removed depending on the exact configuration.
Once this step has been complete the engine can proceed with additional harvesting of sensitive information. They can reveal strings that can expose the victim’s identity. Examples are their real name, address, phone number, location, interests and passwords. The other type of information that is acquired is used to optimize the infection campaigns by generating a full report of the installed hardware reports and other useful metrics.
The next steps taken by the Scarab-Recovery engine might include operating system modifications that can include any of the following:
- Windows Registry Modifications — The criminals gain the ability to modify Windows Registry values belonging to user-installed applications and the operating system itself. This can render certain functions non-working and the overall performance can suffer.
- Persistent Threat — The Scarab-Recovery virus can be instituted as a persistent threat which that it will be started every time the computer boots. The engine can bypass any other startup items that can potentially interfere with this change.
- Trojan Capabilities — Advanced viruses like Scarab-Recovery can be used to launch a Trojan component. The typical behavior is to connect to a hacker-controlled server that allows the hackers to spy on the victims, take over control of their machines and deploy additional threats.
Other modifications can be added as well — any other code additions can be made dependent on the targets and the hacker’s particular plans.
Scarab-Recovery Virus — Encryption
When all prior components have completed execution the ransomware engine will be called. Like previous versions of the Scarab ransomware family it will use a built-in list of target file data that are to be encrypted with a strong cipher. An example list include the following targets:
- Archives
- Documents
- Images
- Videos
- Music
- Backups
- Databases
All victim files are are renamed with the .Recovery extension and the accompaying ransomware note is called HOW TO RECOVER FILES.TXT. It contains the following message:
=======================================================================
All your files are encrypted!!!!!!
=======================================================================
Your documents, photos, databases and other important data were encrypted.
Data recovery requires a decryptor.
To receive the decryptor, you should send an email to the email address:
bd.recovery@aol.com or bd.recovery@india.com
In the letter, indicate your personal identifier (see at the end of the document).
Then you will receive further instructions
Attention!
* Do not attempt to uninstall the program or run antivirus software
* Attempts to self-decrypt files will result in the loss of your data
=======================================================================
———————————————————————————-
6A02000000000000***95EA03
———————————————————————————-
Remove Scarab-Recovery Ransomware Virus and Restore .Recovery Files
If your computer got infected with the Scarab-Recovery ransomware virus, you should have a bit of experience in removing malware. You should get rid of this ransomware as quickly as possible before it can have the chance to spread further and infect other computers. You should remove the ransomware and follow the step-by-step instructions guide provided below.
Martin Beltov
Martin graduated with a degree in Publishing from Sofia University. As a cyber security enthusiast he enjoys writing about the latest threats and mechanisms of intrusion.
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Step 1: Scan for Scarab-Recovery with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall Scarab-Recovery 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 Scarab-Recovery 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 Scarab-Recovery 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 Scarab-Recovery
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Scarab-Recovery.
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 Scarab-Recovery 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.
Scarab-Recovery-FAQ
What is Scarab-Recovery Ransomware?
Scarab-Recovery 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 Scarab-Recovery 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 Scarab-Recovery Infect?
Via several ways.Scarab-Recovery 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 Scarab-Recovery 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 .Scarab-Recovery files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .Scarab-Recovery 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 .Scarab-Recovery files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".Scarab-Recovery" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Scarab-Recovery 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 Scarab-Recovery 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 Scarab-Recovery ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Scarab-Recovery 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 Scarab-Recovery 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 Scarab-Recovery Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Scarab-Recovery 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 Scarab-Recovery 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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