Do you know what HAT Ransomware is?
HAT Ransomware is a malicious application used for money extortion. It encrypts files that could be valuable and irreplaceable to users and then shows a ransom note on the infected device’s screen. The malware’s note does not say anything about having to pay ransom, but it mentions that decrypting files with the help of third parties would cost more than dealing with the malware’s developers. However, there are no guarantees that hackers will hold on to their end of the deal, which means that dealing with them is risky. Naturally, if you do not want to take any chances, we advise not to pay ransom. If you want to learn more about how the malware works, we recommend reading the rest of our report. To find out how you could erase HAT Ransomware manually, you could check the removal guide available below.
Most victims of threats like HAT Ransomware get tricked into launching them. Hackers can disguise malicious launchers so that they would not look harmful. For example, they can make it appear as if the threat’s launcher is a text file or a software installer. Such files could be sent to targeted victims via email or they could be uploaded onto file-sharing websites. Therefore, you should never open files from unknown senders, files received unexpectedly, or offered on shady websites if you want to avoid downloading malware. Plus, we advise getting a reliable antimalware tool and using it to scan downloaded or received files to make sure that they are safe to open.
HAT Ransomware screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
HAT Ransomware might create files mentioned in our removal guide after it is launched. Afterward, the malicious application ought to start encrypting files like images and various documents with a strong encryption algorithm. Once a file gets encrypted it should receive a second extension made from three parts: a unique ID number, hackers’ email address, and .HAT. For instance, files encrypted on our test computer received the following extension: id-3C8E099B.[Zagrec@protonmail.com].HAT. By the time HAT Ransomware encrypts all files it should create a text document containing a short message and open a pop-up window with a slightly longer message. According to the malicious application’s ransom note displayed on the screen, users should contact hackers to get their files decrypted. As mentioned earlier, putting up with hackers demands is risky because such people cannot be trusted and could scam you.
Lastly, we recommend erasing HAT Ransomware because if you leave it on your system, the threat could restart every time you restart your device and possibly encrypt new data. If you want to delete it manually, you could use the removal guide available below. We cannot guarantee that these steps will work for everyone. Thus, if you want to be sure that the threat gets eliminated, we advise deleting HAT Ransomware with a reliable antimalware tool like SpyHunter. If you need more assistance or have any questions, feel free to leave a comment at the end of this page.
Erase HAT Ransomware
- Restart the computer in Safe Mode with Networking.
- Press Windows Key+E.
- Navigate to these paths:
%USERPROFILE%\Desktop
%USERPROFILE%\Downloads
%TEMP% - Find the malware’s launcher (suspicious recently downloaded file), right-click it, and select Delete.
- Check these locations:
%LOCALAPPDATA%
%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup - Locate suspicious executable files that could belong to the ransomware, right-click them, and press Delete.
- Go to:
%USERPROFILE%\Desktop
%HOMEDRIVE% - Find files called Info.hta, right-click them, and press Delete.
- Then find and delete files named info.txt.
- Close File Explorer.
- Press Windows Key+R.
- Type Regedit and click Enter.
- Navigate to these paths:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run - Look for value names belonging to the malware, right-click them, and press Delete.
- Close Registry Editor.
- Empty Recycle Bin.
In non-techie terms:
HAT Ransomware is a malicious application that hides until it encrypts valuable files and then reveals its presence by displaying a ransom note on the screen. The note may say that all of your files were encrypted and that the only way to decrypt them is to contact the malware’s developers. Since the note may say that seeking out for help from third parties could cost more, we are almost one hundred percent sure that victims who contact hackers will be asked to pay ransom. No matter what cybercriminals say, keep in mind that there are no guarantees, and you could lose your money in vain. If you want to avoid it happening we advise not to put up with any demands. Also, it is advisable to erase HAT Ransomware because it can relaunch itself every time you restart your computer. To do so manually, you could try using the removal guide available above.