Uefi Ransomware – How to Remove and Restore Files - How to, Technology and PC Security Forum

by Ventsislav Krastev | August 14, 2017 | 0 Comments malware, ransomware

Threat Summary How Does Uefi Ransomware Infect Uefi Ransomware – Malicious Activity Uefi Ransomware – Does It Encrypt Files Remove Uefi Ransomware and Restore Files

This article has been created to help you remove Uefi ransomware from your computer.

In addition to the newer ransomware variants coming out in August 2017, Uefi Ransomware is also one that must not be underestimated. The virus pretends to encrypt the files on the computers it has compromised, demanding from it’s victims to send the sum of $350 to the BitCoin address of the cyber-criminals who are behind the threat in order to decrypt them. If you have become a victim of the Uefi ransowmare infection, we strongly advise you to read this article thoroughly.

Threat Summary

Name	Uefi Ransomware
Type	Ransomware, Cryptovirus
Short Description	Encrypts the files on the computers that have been infected by it, demanding $350 ransom payoff to get them back.
Symptoms	Changes the wallpaper on the infected computer and adds a decrypt.txt ransom note on the desktop of the victim PC.
Distribution Method	Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executable files
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss Uefi Ransomware.
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.

How Does Uefi Ransomware Infect

The infection process of Uefi Ransomware is possibly conducted in several ways, the main of which may be via e-mail spam. The e-mails that infect with Uefi ransowmare may use malicious e-mail attachments or web links that can cause the infection itself. They usually contain multiple different types of e-mail messages that portray the malicious e-mail attachments in them as legitimate ones, such as:

Receipts.
Invoices.
Confirmation letters.
Bank account activity and balance sheets.

After the victim has been tricked into opening the fake e-mail attachments, the virus may immediately connect to a remote host and download the payload of Uefi ransomware.

Other methods by which one could become a victim of this ransomware virus is to download a fake setup, key generator or other type of fake executable file, posing as legitimate online.

Uefi Ransomware – Malicious Activity

Uefi ransomware is not to be mistaken with the first-ever ransomware virus, coming out with that name on March 2017 which actually attacked the UEFI of a compromised PC.

Although using the same name may be a hint that this ransomware may be created by the same people behind the original Uefi Ransomware virus, this malware has nothing to do with it.

After infection with this virus, you may find some of it’s payload files dropped under different names in the occasionally targeted Windows folders:

After dropping it’s files, the Uefi Ransowmare virus may execute them as hidden processes in Windows Task Manager. Since the files contain various functions, which are the key behind the activity of Uefi ransomware, executing them may result in the virus:

Creating mutexes.
Generating new types of permissions that give the virus administrative rights over your computer.
Modify the Windows Registry Editor.

Regarding the Windows Registry Editor, the malware may take advantage of the following Windows Registry sub-keys:

Run.
RunOnce.

After this ransomware virus has finished it’s preparation phase it may begin to make it’s presence known on the compromised computer and change it’s wallpaper to the following image:

In addition to this, a decrypt.txt file is dropped which has the following ransom note:

Your Files Are Encrypted By Uefi Ransomware!
In Order To Get Your Files Back
Please send 350$ worth of Bitcoin to this address:
1Hp8VBKehCPBvArm6VRUWzPCte3EgdjYiY
Refer to decrypt.txt for further instructions.

Uefi Ransomware – Does It Encrypt Files

At the moment, it has been established that Uefi ransomware only pretends to encrypt files, whereas in fact, the virus does not perform encryption on them. Instead, the malware aims to scare off the infected victims into paying hefty ransom fees, as reported by malware researchers on Twitter:

Claims to be UEFI #Ransomware, doesn't encrypt at the moment, creates file radiation.bin, pdb name- Hell's ransomware. lol. pic.twitter.com/RpVNLRo2bN

— Leo (@leotpsc) August 7, 2017

Remove Uefi Ransomware and Restore Files

Before beginning the removal process it is always recommended to focus on backing up your files. Then, you can proceed with following either the manual or automatic removal instructions below. If you lack the experience in manually removing ransomware, like Uefi Ransomware, we strongly recommend you to focus on following the automatic removal instructions below. The removal of the Uefi ransomware virus may be easier than usual as it does not encrypt any files. For maximum effectiveness and faster removal, experts strongly advise to focus on using an advanced anti-malware software which aims to help you remove it’s malicious executable as well as other support type of files completely.

Ventsislav Krastev

Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.

How to Remove Uefi Ransomware from Windows.

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

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

1. Hold Windows key() + R

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

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.

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

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

Step 2: Uninstall Uefi Ransomware 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:

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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 Uefi Ransomware with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

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

Download

Malware Removal Tool

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.

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

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

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 Uefi Ransomware.

Ransomware infections and Uefi Ransomware 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:

EaseUS Data Recovery Software

Simply click on the link and on the website menus on top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.

Windows Mac OS X

Get rid of Uefi Ransomware from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall Uefi Ransomware 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:

2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:

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

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

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

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

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

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 Uefi Ransomware 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 Uefi Ransomware. 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.

Click the button below below to download SpyHunter for Mac and scan for Uefi Ransomware:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

Step 3 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Uefi Ransomware.

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

EaseUS Data Recovery Software

Simply click on the link and on the website menus on top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.

Uefi Ransomware FAQ

What is Uefi Ransomware ransomware and how does it work?

Uefi Ransomware 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 algorithm how 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.

How does Uefi Ransomware ransomware infect my computer?

Via several ways.Uefi Ransomware Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing e-mails, 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.

After you download and execute this attachment, a drive-by download occurs and your computer is infected with the ransomware virus.

Another way, you may become a victim of Uefi Ransomware 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 .Uefi Ransomware files?

You can't. At this point the .Uefi Ransomware files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted.

Decryptor did not decrypt my data. What now?

Do not panic and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your .Uefi Ransomware files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.

One way to restore files, encrypted by Uefi Ransomware ransomware is to use a decryptor for it. But since it's a new virus, advised that the decryption keys for it may not be out yet and available to the public. We will update this article and keep you posted as soon as this decryptor is released.

How Do I restore ".Uefi Ransomware" files (Other Methods)?

Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Uefi Ransomware files.

These methods are in no way 100% guarantee that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.

How do I get rid of Uefi Ransomware ransomware virus?

The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti malware software. It will scan for and locate Uefi Ransomware ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Uefi Ransomware files.

Also, keep in mind that viruses like Uefi Ransomware ransomware also install Trojans and keyloggers that can steal your passwords and accounts. Scanning your computer with an anti-malware software will make sure that all of these virus components are removed and your computer is protected in the future.

What to Do If nothing works?

There is still a lot you can do. If none of the above methods seem to work for you, then try these methods:

Try to find a safe computer from where you can can login on your own line accounts like One Drive, iDrive, Google Drive and so on.
Try to contact your friends, relatives and other people so that they can check if they have some of your important photos or documents just in case you sent them.
Also, check if some of the files that were encrypted it can be re-downloaded from the web.
Another clever way to get back some of your files is to find another old computer, a flash drive or even a CD or a DVD where you may have saved your older documents. You might be surprised what will turn up.
You can also go to your email account to check if you can send any attachments to other people. Usually what is sent the email is saved on your account and you can re-download it. But most importantly, make sure that this is done from a safe computer and make sure to remove the virus first.

More tips you can find on our forums, where you can also asks any questions about your ransomware problem.

How to 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.

Uefi Ransomware – How to Remove and Restore Files