Do you know what BeethoveN Ransomware is?
BeethoveN Ransomware can sneak onto your system and encrypt all your personal files, including your documents, videos, photos, music files, and archives as well. This dangerous threat surfaced about one month ago but our researchers have found that there is already an updated version too spreading on the web. Unfortunately, our researchers have not found any file recovery tools on the web developed by enthusiastic malware hunters yet, but it does not mean that one free application will not emerge in the near future. However, the sad truth is that right now there is no way for you to restore your encrypted files unless you have a recently saved backup somewhere safe. If you want to save your computer, we advise you to remove BeethoveN Ransomware from your PC right now. We will give you the know-how at the end of this article, but first, let us tell you more about this dangerous malware infection so that you can possibly protect your computer from further attacks.
What you may not know is that it is quite easy to infect your system with such a dangerous ransomware program. The most likely way is to allow this threat to enter your computer is via spam e-mails. This malicious threat can be spread as a file attachment that could be named “BeethoveN.exe” or disguised as an image “BeethoveN.JPG.exe” or a text document “BeethoveN.docm.exe.” No matter what kind of icon shows its file type, it is indeed the malicious executable that can damage your files in no time. You need to become extra careful around your mails. Do not think that your spam filter can do a 100% job. You must have noticed already that a lot of times totally legitimate and even important mails land in your spam folder; just like in this case it might happen even though this is indeed a malicious mail.
But this spam can appear to be very important and urgent at the same time. Looking at the sender you do not feel that it must be a spam or a scam of any kind. The subject may refer to a matter that could be important for you to check out, such as an unsettled invoice, a wrongly made flight booking, an issue with your Internet provider, and so on. This is always a tricky subject that can make you believe that you need to open this spam even if you do not necessarily feel related. What harm can it do, right? Well, we hope that it will be clear by the end of our report. The worst in this whole attack is that you cannot simply delete BeethoveN Ransomware from your system and think that your files will be recovered, too. Unfortunately, deleting this malicious threat does not give your files back but still, this is what you need to do if you want to use your computer ever again.
BeethoveN Ransomware screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
It is also possible that you click on the wrong third-party ad or link and this is how you drop this infection onto your system. This can be, for example, an advertisement that offers you an urgent driver update or software download, a link presented by a browser hijacker, but you may also download a malicious bundle from a shady file-sharing site believing that you are downloading a free program. We recommend that you only use official websites for downloading any material in the future if you want to keep your PC safe. Also, it is important that you keep your browsers and drivers always updated because cyber criminals can exploit outdated versions and drop infections using malicious Java or Flash codes. Remember that by the time you remove BeethoveN Ransomware, your files will be rendered useless.
After this ransomware starts up, it uses the AES-256 algorithm to encrypt your precious files. Then it applies the RSA-2048 algorithm to encrypt the private key to create a powerful decryption key that is possibly impossible to hack. The affected files get a new extension, “.BeethoveN,” which makes it quite obvious what you have been hit by even if there are two versions right now out there on the web at the time of writing this report. This ransomware drops a text file called “FILELIST.txt” on your desktop, which contains all the file names and locations that have been encrypted. Then, the ransom note window comes up on your screen. Fortunately, it does not lock your screen or block any of your system processes; therefore, it is not difficult to eliminate this attack and remove BeethoveN Ransomware.
You are informed about your files being encrypted and that you must not close this program or window because you may lose your files. You are given 168 hours to write an e-mail to “SK1CU3SE3FI7L@yandex.ru” and transfer the ransom fee to the Bitcoin address given in the response mail. You have to pay 400 US dollar in Bitcoins if you want to get the decryption key. However, you should not get your hopes high because it is quite unlikely that you will get anything. We recommend that you remove BeethoveN Ransomware ASAP.
First, you need to exit this malicious program by tapping the Alt+F4 key combination. Then, you can remove all related files and registry entries. Please follow our instructions below if you want to end this threat with your own hands. If you are ready to act and protect your PC, we suggest that you find and install a proper malware removal application like SpyHunter that can automatically detect and eliminate all potential and malicious threats that are hiding on your system or trying to attack it.
Remove BeethoveN Ransomware from Windows
- Tap Win+E to open File Explorer.
- Delete “BeethoveN.exe” and “FILELIST.txt” (it could be called “FILEUST.txt”)
- Find all suspicious files that you have recently downloaded and could be related to this attack.
- Empty the Recycle Bin.
- Tap Win+R and enter regedit. Press the Enter key.
- Delete “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Environment\SAVETHETREES”
- Close the editor and restart your computer.
In non-techie terms:
BeethoveN Ransomware can infiltrate your system without your knowledge and encrypt all your important personal files. If you do not have a backup of your files in a safe place (removable hard disk or cloud storage), you may lose all of them in this malicious attack. Your attackers offer you a way out by paying a certain amount for the private key that can automatically decrypt your files. However, there is never any guarantee that you will actually receive anything as promised. In fact, experience shows the opposite. So, if you do not want to lose hundreds of your hard-earned US dollars on top of your files, we advise you to remove BeethoveN Ransomware as soon as possible. If you do not have the right skills to take care of this attack or protect your computer from future attacks, we suggest that you install a reliable anti-malware program to do it for you automatically.