Do you know what Sigma Ransomware is?
Sigma Ransomware is a malicious application that locks user’s files and demands to pay a ransom of one thousand US dollars. In fact, the malware’s creators threaten to double the price if the user does not pay it in seven days. Given the sum is quite large, we do not think it would be wise to rush into anything. Especially when chances are you could lose the transferred money in vain. Thus, before deciding what to do, users should read more and get to know this infection better. Instead of paying the malicious application’s creators we recommend ignoring the ransom note and erasing Sigma Ransomware from the computer. If you decide it is the best option too, you can learn how to deal with the threat manually while looking at the removal guide available a bit below this article or you could leave this task to a reputable antimalware tool.
Our researchers suspect Sigma Ransomware’s launchers could be spread as fake applications, which means the user might infect the computer after launching a fake software installer. Such files could be downloaded from torrent or other unreliable file-sharing web pages, so if you wish to keep your system safe and secure, you should stay away from such websites in the future. To strengthen the system, we would also recommend keeping a reputable antimalware tool installed. With it, users could check untrustworthy data before opening it. Plus, if the tool is active and up to date it might be able to stop the infection and warn the user about it before any damage is done. Another tip we might give would be to back up vital files from time to time and keep them somewhere safe, for example, cloud storage, removable media devices, etc.
It does not seem like Sigma Ransomware needs to create any data to settle in. In other words, the malware should work right from the directory where the user downloaded and opened its installer. Accordingly, it is possible the infection might start the encryption process faster. Our researchers say the threat should not only lock user’s personal files but also mark them with an additional random extension from four characters, for example, panda.jpg.67p5, text.docx.32qw, etc. Once this process is completed, and all targeted files are encrypted the malicious application should drop two files called ReadMe.html and ReadMe.txt in every directory containing locked data. What’s more, to catch user’s attention ReadMe.txt should be opened automatically with one of the user’s browsers.
Sigma Ransomware screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
The malware’s ransom notes ask to make a payment of one thousand US dollars into a particular Bitcoin wallet; meaning the ransom must be paid in Bitcoins. In return, they promise to provide the user with a decryptor and a decryption key. As you probably understand there is a chance they could scam you, and you might never receive the promised decryption tools even if you follow their instructions. For those, who do not wish to risk losing such an amount of money we recommend erasing Sigma Ransomware with no hesitation. One way to do so is to follow the removal guide located below, but if the task appears to be a bit too complicated you could get an antimalware tool instead.
Eliminate Sigma Ransomware
- Click Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
- Choose Task Manager.
- Identify a suspicious process associated with this infection.
- Select this process and press the End Task button.
- Leave Task Manager.
- Tap Windows Key+E.
- Navigate to your Desktop, Temporary Files, and Downloads folders.
- Search for a malicious file that got the system infected.
- Right-click the threat’s launcher and press Delete.
- Close the File Explorer.
- Delete files called ReadMe.html and ReadMe.txt.
- Empty the Recycle bin.
- Restart the system.
In non-techie terms:
Sigma Ransomware is a threat that uses RSA and AES encryption algorithms to encrypt user’s data and demand for ransom in exchange of decryption tools. Unfortunately, the sum they wish to receive is quite huge, so it is advisable to carefully consider whether the encrypted files are worth it because if the malware’s creators trick you, the paid sum would be lost in vain. Therefore, if you do not think you can risk losing it, we recommend deleting the malicious application instead of putting up with any demands. To help you get rid of it faster, our researchers prepared a removal guide you can see above this text. The infection can be erased with an antimalware tool as well, so if you prefer using such software, we would advise you to pick a reputable tool and perform a full system scan.