This article will aid you in removing the .STG Files virus fully. Follow the ransomware removal instructions given at the end.
The .STG virus is the name of ransomware which is a variant of Globe Imposter. The extension it places to all files after encryption is .STG. After encryption, a ransom note shows up with instructions on how to pay the ransom and supposedly recover your files. The assistance@airmail.cc and aid1@cock.li are the two email addresses given by the ransomware developers for contacting them. The ransom nore message is once again placed inside a .html file that bears the name of how_to_back_files.html as previous iterations of the GlobeImposter 2.0 ransomware virus. Keep on reading and find out what ways you could try to potentially restore your data.
Threat Summary
| Name | .STG Files Virus |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Short Description | The ransomware encrypts files on your computer system and it shows a ransom note afterward. |
| Symptoms | This ransomware virus will encrypt your files and place the .STG extension on each one of them. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Detection Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by .STG Files Virus Download Malware Removal Tool | User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss .STG Files Virus. |
| 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. |
.STG Virus (GlobeImposter) – Delivery
.STG Files ransomware might spread its infection via different ways. The payload file which executes the malicious script for this ransomware, that in turn infects your computer machine, is circling around the Internet. Samples of this ransomware have been found by a few different malware researchers. Below, you can see the payload file of the cryptovirus being detected by the VirusTotal service:
The .STG Files ransomware might be using other ways to deliver the payload file, such as social media and file-sharing sites. Freeware applications found on the Web could be promoted as helpful but also could hide the malicious script for this virus. Before opening any files after you have downloaded them, you should instead scan them with a security program. Especially if they come from suspicious places, such as emails or links. Also, don’t forget to check the size and signatures of such files for anything that seems out of place. You should read the ransomware prevention tips given in the forum.
.STG Files Virus (GlobeImposter) – Insight
The .STG ransomware virus is a cryptovirus, which has recently been discovered by malware researchers. When the .STG files virus encrypts your files, it will put the .STG extension to every file and display a ransom note with payment instructions. The virus is a GlobeImposter variant.
The .STG Files ransomware can be set to make new registry entries in the Windows Registry to achieve a higher level of persistence. Such entries are usually designed in a way that will start the virus automatically with every launch of the Windows Operating System, such as the example shown here:
→“HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run”
The ransom message is placed inside a file called how_to_back_files.html. This is how it looks:
The ransom note states the following:
YOUR PERSONAL ID
6D 88 E1 B0 6F 59 C0 4D DB AD 76 1E D0 B6 51 1A88 69 17 2A 7A 05 CD D1 A5 16 51 9F 26 A4 50 6E18 0A E4 FC 65 20 4A…
ENGLISH
YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED!
ALL YOUR IMPORTANT DATA HAS BEEN ENCRYPTED.
To recover data you need decryptor.
To get the decryptor you should:Send 1 test image or text file assistance@airmail.cc or aid1@cock.li.
In the letter include your personal ID (look at the beginning of this document).We will give you the decrypted file and assign the price for decryption all files
After we send you instruction how to pay for decrypt and after payment you will receive a decryptor and
instructions We can decrypt one file in quality the evidence that we have the decoder.
Attention!Only assistance@airmail.cc can decrypt your files
Do not attempt to remove the program or run the anti-virus tools
Attempts to self-decrypting files will result in the loss of your data
Modify encrypted files will result in the loss of your data.Decoders other users are not compatible with your data, because each encryption key unique and will result in the loss of your data.
The cybercriminals want you to contact them via one of the following two email addresses:
- assistance@airmail.cc
- aid1@cock.li
You should NOT under any circumstances pay or write to these crooks. Nobody can give you a guarantee that you will get your files decrypted upon payment, plus in that way you will support the criminals and probably motivate them to keep making ransomware viruses.
.STG Files Virus (GlobeImposter) – Encryption
There is no official list with file extensions that the .STG Files ransomware seeks to encrypt and the article will be updated if such a list is discovered. However, all files which get encrypted will receive the .STG extension appended to them. The encryption algorithm which is used for the virus is currently unknown.
The ransomware could encrypt files, which are from the following file types:
- Audio
- Video
- Database
- Document
- Picture
The .STG Files cryptovirus is reported by malware analysts to erase the Shadow Volume Copies from the Windows Operating System by executing the following command:
→vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all /Quiet
The execution of the above-stated command makes the encryption process more viable, as one of the main ways for file recovery is eliminated. Continue reading to find out what methods you can try out to potentially restore some of your files.
Remove .STG Files Virus (GlobeImposter)
If your computer got infected with the .STG Files 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.
Tsetso Mihailov
Tsetso Mihailov is a tech-geek and loves everything that is tech-related, while observing the latest news surrounding technologies. He has worked in IT before, as a system administrator and a computer repair technician. Dealing with malware since his teens, he is determined to spread word about the latest threats revolving around computer security.
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- Guide 1: How to Remove .STG Files Virus from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of .STG Files Virus from Mac OS X.
How to Remove .STG Files Virus from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove .STG Files Virus
Step 2: Uninstall .STG Files Virus 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 .STG Files Virus 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 .STG Files Virus 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 .STG Files Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .STG Files Virus.
Ransomware infections and .STG Files Virus 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.
If the above link does not work for you and your region, try the other two links below, that lead to the same product:
Get rid of .STG Files Virus from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall .STG Files Virus 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 .STG Files Virus 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 2: Scan for and remove .STG Files Virus files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as .STG Files Virus, 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.
Step 3 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .STG Files Virus on your Mac.
Ransomware for Mac .STG Files Virus 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.
