Do you know what Kuub Ransomware is?
Kuub Ransomware is a threat that corrupts your files by changing the information within them. The data is scrambled to make your files unreadable. That means that you cannot open your files normally, and that basically means that your files are as good as gone. After all, if you cannot read photos, documents, and other personal files, how can you use them? Unfortunately, most ransomware victims never get the chance to get their files back. Luckily, it appears that a legitimate decryptor built by malware experts was released to aid the victims of STOP Ransomware. This is the family of malware that Kuub belongs to along with Seto Ransomware, Kvag Ransomware, and many other infections. The bad news is that the tool might not be able to help all, and, in most cases, it can only decrypt some of the corrupted files. Of course, this is still better than the alternative, which is losing all of your files. Can you get your files back by deleting Kuub Ransomware? Unfortunately, you cannot, but removing this threat is crucial.
It is likely that Kuub Ransomware corrupted your personal files after you left a backdoor open. Of course, you did it unintentionally, but take this as a serious lesson. If you open random spam email attachments, download files from unreliable sites, skip updates, or fail to protect your Windows operating system altogether, you are bound to face ransomware and other kinds of malware. Sadly, most infections slither in silently, and so you might never know how exactly they get in. Of course, if you know how Kuub Ransomware attacked your system, you have better chances of deleting the infection manually because you might be able to locate the launcher file. Another file that you would have to delete if you decided to handle this infection yourself was “_readme.txt.” As you can see, it is a text file, and its purpose is to introduce you to a message created by your attackers. You should find this file in the %HOMEDRIVE% directory, but you might also find copies created next to all of the encrypted files. These should not be hard to identify because of the “.kuub” extension added to their names.
Kuub Ransomware screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
The message created by the attackers informs that files encrypted by Kuub Ransomware can be restored only if you have a special decryptor. Even though the attackers might have a decryptor, that does not mean that they would provide it to you after you contacted them (you are supposed to send a message to gorentos@bitmessage.ch or gerentosrestore@firemail.cc) and then paid the ransom of $490. Is that a lot of money? That depends on your financial situation, but whether or not you have enough to cover the ransom, we do not recommend paying because cybercriminals are not known for fair exchanges or kept promises. Hopefully, you can use a free decryptor, or, better yet, you have backups stored online or on external drives that can replace the corrupted copies. This is exactly why backing up files is crucial, and if you are not in the habit of doing that now, we hope that you will start backing up files once you delete Kuub Ransomware from your operating system.
Our research team strongly recommends that you remove Kuub Ransomware as soon as possible. Do not dwell on the promises made by cybercriminals, and do not expect that your files will be restored if you pay the ransom as instructed. Hopefully, you do not need to resort to taking risks because backups exist or because a free decryptor was able to restore your files. When it comes to the removal, it is easiest to have Kuub Ransomware deleted by anti-malware software. You should install it anyway if you want your system protected because this software can ensure full-time Windows protection. If you decide to delete the threat manually (see the guide below), you will need to secure your system yourself.
Delete Kuub Ransomware
- Identify the {unique name} file that executed the threat.
- Right-click the malicious file and choose Delete.
- Simultaneously tap Win+E keys to access Explorer.
- Enter %LOCALAPPDATA% into the bar at the top.
- Right-click and Delete the {unique name} folder created by the infection.
- Enter %HOMEDRIVE% into the bar at the top.
- Right-click and Delete the folder named SystemID and the file named _readme.txt.
- Empty Recycle Bin and then immediately install a legitimate malware scanner.
- Run a full system scan and delete any leftover threats that might be found.
In non-techie terms:
Kuub Ransomware is not a unique infection because it comes from the STOP Ransomware family. The threats from this family usually exploit security backdoors and users’ carelessness to slither in without notice. Once inside, they encrypt files, and then they deliver ransom notes that request money to be transferred to cybercriminals in return for decryption software. Of course, this software is unlikely to be provided to the victims even if they pay for it, and that is because cybercriminals do not care about victims or their files. Unfortunately, a legitimate decryptor built by malware experts does not guarantee full recovery of all files, which is why we hope that you have backups stored someplace safe. In that case, you can easily delete the corrupted files and have them replaced with backups. Of course, before you do that, you must remove Kuub Ransomware, and while manual removal is possible, we advise utilizing anti-malware software.