Do you know what ABANTES Ransomware is?
ABANTES Ransomware can overwrite the Master Boot Record (MBR), delete Registry data, and encrypt various files. Thus, by the time the malware is done you may find there is nothing left to do, but to rewrite Windows. As for restoring encrypted files, it might be impossible, which is why we would recommend replacing enciphered data with backup copies instead. You can learn more about this vicious file-encrypting threat if you continue reading our article. At the end of it, you should find our removal guide that might help you erase ABANTES Ransomware if it has not overwritten MBR yet. If you have any other questions about this malicious application, you can leave us a message in the comments area available at the end of this page.
It is unknown how exactly ABANTES Ransomware could be distributed, although we suspect it could travel with suspicious email attachments, installers, updates, and various other data that might come from unreliable sources (e.g., Spam emails, messages from unknown senders, untrustworthy file-sharing web pages, and so on.). It is possible it could be targeted at specific computers too. For instance, hackers behind the malicious application might try to infect devices of users they quarrel with and so on. In any case, in order to avoid such threats, users should never open files raising suspicion without checking them with a reliable antimalware tool first. Meaning you should never open files if you are not one hundred percent certain they can be trusted.
For starters, ABANTES Ransomware should start encrypting user’s data located on the infected device. It seems it could target various pictures, documents, archives, videos, and so on. Each affected file ought to receive an additional .Abantes extension. Also, the malware may block the user’s Task Manager during this process to make sure the user cannot use it to interfere. Not to mention, it could replace user’s Desktop picture with a scary picture, change the computer’s username into “Abantes was here,” and display instructions asking not to try to eliminate the threat or interfere with it. Next, ABANTES Ransomware might rewrite MBR or even delete Registry entries. As a result, the computer may start crashing, and the victim might be unable to use it as usual. Our computer security specialists say that in such a case there is nothing else to do, but to rewrite Windows. If you do so, the threat should get deleted automatically.
ABANTES Ransomware screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
In case ABANTES Ransomware does not rewrite MBR, and you can still use the computer normally, you could try to delete the malicious application. For starters, you might try erasing it manually while following the removal guide available below. If the task seems too difficult, you should employ a reliable antimalware tool of your choice and let it erase the malware for you.
Get rid of ABANTES Ransomware
- Click Windows Key+E.
- Navigate to the suggested paths:
%TEMP%
%USERPROFILE%Desktop
%USERPROFILE%Downloads - Identify a file launched when the system got infected, right-click the malicious file and select Delete.
- Find this path: C:\Windows\Defender
- Locate the listed malicious files:
Action.bat
logonOverwrite.bat
cursor.cur
icon.ico
LogonUIStart.exe
IFEO.exe
Payloads.dll
Rules.exe
LogonUi.exe
explorer.exe.mui
authui.dll.mui
data.bin, e.g., v4.0.30319 - Right-click them and select Delete.
- Exit File Explorer.
- Press Windows Key+R, type Regedit and choose OK.
- Navigate to this path: HKLM\Software
- Look for a key called Abantes, right-click it and select Delete.
- Close the Registry Editor.
- Empty Recycle bin.
- Restart the computer.
In non-techie terms:
ABANTES Ransomware might damage your files and ruin your operating system. According to our computer security specialists, the malware was most likely created only to annoy victims by messing up with the infected device. As you see, ransomware applications that are designed for money extortion usually encrypt user’s personal files only and then display a note asking to pay for their decryption. However, this malicious application does not show any instructions on how to pay a ransom to decrypt files or undo the damage done to the system. If the malware rewrites MBR, you may have no other choice but to rewrite Windows. On the other hand, if the threat fails to do so, your system should work as usual. In such a case, we highly recommend deleting the malware as fast as possible. The removal guide available above explains how to get rid of it manually, but if the process looks too complicated, it would be best to employ a reputable antimalware tool of your choice.