Do you know what Kasp Ransomware is?
In this article we talk about a malicious file-encrypting application that is known as Kasp Ransomware. It encrypts pictures, various types of documents, and other files with a robust encryption algorithm. As a result, the malware’s victims should be unable to open their files. The only way to access encrypted files is to reverse the encryption process with special decryption tools. The problem is that getting such tools might be impossible. The malware’s creators may promise to deliver you the tools if you pay ransom, but there is a risk that they might not send them. In other words, they could convince you to pay and then leave you with nothing. Thus, we advise thinking carefully before you decide what to do next after receiving this malware. If you want to erase Kasp Ransomware, you could check the removal guide placed below. As for learning more about the threat, we invite you to read our full article.
How could Kasp Ransomware slip in? The malware’s creators might use various methods to trick their victims to launch the malware. They could distribute the malware via malicious advertisements, fake pop-ups, unreliable file-sharing websites, or spam emails. Thus, users who want to stay away from ransomware and threats alike should never interact with questionable ads, pop-ups, links, and files. In other words, if you interact with such content, make sure that you are one hundred percent sure that it comes from reliable sources and that it will not be harmful. Specialists also recommend ensuring that your system has no weaknesses that could be exploited to implant threats like Kasp Ransomware. For example, vulnerabilities like weak passwords, outdated or unpatched software, unsecured RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) connections, and so on. Lastly, it is best to have a reputable antimalware tool that you could use to scan questionable data and that could stand guard and protect your system against various threats.
Kasp Ransomware screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
Malicious applications like Kasp Ransomware might create a few files before starting the encryption process. For example, the threat could create a copy of its launcher or a Registry entry that would allow it to restart with the operating system. After the threat settles in, it ought to encrypt all personal files (e.g., photos, various documents, videos, etc.) one by one and mark them with the .kasp extension. Thus, a file titled roses.jpg would become roses.jpg.kasp, after getting encrypted. It is pointless to try to remove the extra extension because the only way to reverse the encryption process is to use a unique decryption key and decryption software. Unfortunately, as said in the malware’s ransom notes, hackers demand users to pay in exchange for the decryption tools. As mentioned in the beginning of this article, there are no guarantees that hackers will send the tools like they promise. Meaning, your money would reach them, but you might never get the promised decryption tools.
Thus, we do not advise paying if you have no wish to put your money at risk or if you have backup copies and can replace encrypted files. What we do recommend is erasing Kasp Ransomware as leaving it on the machine could be dangerous to the files that you might yet create or download. To learn how you could erase Kasp Ransomware manually, you could check the removal guide available below. If you do not think you can handle such a task, we advise getting a reliable antimalware tool that could delete Kasp Ransomware for you.
Delete Kasp Ransomware
- Restart your device in Safe Mode with Networking.
- Press Windows key+E.
- Go to your Desktop, Temporary Files, and Downloads directories.
- Find the file launched before the threat infected the computer, right-click this suspicious file, and click Delete.
- Navigate to these locations:
%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data
%LOCALAPPDATA% - Search for randomly named folders, for example, 0115174b-bd55-499d-9f16-9e28ac1b8ef4 that should contain malicious .exe files.
- Right-click the randomly named malware’s folders and select Delete.
- Find this location: %WINDIR%\System32\Tasks
- Locate a task called Time Trigger Task, right-click it, and select Delete.
- Close File Explorer.
- Click Windows key+R.
- Type regedit and press Enter.
- Find the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- Search for a value name belonging to the malicious application, for example, SysHelper.
- Right-click the malicious value name and press Delete.
- Close Registry Editor.
- Empty Recycle Bin.
- Reboot the system.
In non-techie terms:
Kasp Ransomware is a threat that encrypts files or, in other words, locks them so that users could not open their files anymore. It does not mean that it is impossible to open such data at all. If you have the right decryption key and decryption software, you can decrypt all locked files. Unfortunately, getting the needed decryption tools might be an impossible task as hackers could be the only ones who could provide them. They demand to pay ransom in exchange for the decryption tools without providing any guarantees that you will receive them. Thus, if you pay ransom, you risk losing your money in vain. If you do not want to do it, we advise not to put up with any demands. Also, it is highly advisable to delete Kasp Ransomware because even if it already encrypted all of your files, it does not mean that it might not do further damage, for example, encrypt the files you may yet create or receive. To deal with the threat manually, you could try the removal guide available above. Of course, an easier way to eliminate the ransomware would be to scan your device with a reputable antimalware tool like SpyHunter.