Do you know what Usam Ransomware is?
Usam Ransomware encrypts files. It then declares that files cannot be decrypted until the victim contacts the attacker and pays them a ransom of $490. Unfortunately, there is no way to prove that that is what would happen, and our researchers warn that victims of the threat are most likely to find themselves empty-handed if they decided to follow the instructions. There is good news too. This is not the first time this threat has emerged, and that is because hundreds of identical clones exist. A decryptor has been created, and it is called ‘STOP Decryptor.’ Can it decrypt all variants? Unfortunately, that is unlikely to be the case, but there is a chance that victims could restore their files for free. Whether or not that is possible for you, you must remove Usam Ransomware, and we have a few tips that might help you delete this file-encrypting threat in no time.
The potential decryptor of Usam Ransomware is named after STOP Ransomware, the predecessor of all clones within this family, including Kuus Ransomware, Maas Ransomware, or Sqpc Ransomware. Mostly, the same malicious party is associated with these threats, and they seem to rely on spam emails and RDP vulnerabilities for entrance. Therefore, if you are able to secure your system, install security updates timely, and also recognize misleading spam emails, you should be able to protect yourself against these dangerous threats. If your system is not secured, and you are not cautious, Usam Ransomware might slither in without you realizing, and then it might encrypt all personal files, after which, the “.usam” extension should be attached to the original names. Although there is a chance that some people might decrypt their files for free, in general, ransomware infections are almost never decryptable, which is why it is very important to prepare oneself for ransomware attacks. Protecting the system is important, but protecting files specifically is important too. It is easiest to do that by creating external backups.
After the encryption, a file named “_readme.txt” is dropped to make it easier for you to understand what it is that the attackers want. According to the message inside the file, Usam Ransomware encrypted your files, and only a “decrypt tool and unique key” can solve the issue. You are instructed to pay $490 for the tool and the key, but not enough information is provided, and that is meant to trick victims into emailing helpmanager@mail.ch or restoremanager@airmail.cc. Have you been tricked into doing that already? If you have, you might have already received a response with payment instructions. Further down the line, the same attackers could send you malicious emails again and again, and this could provoke new attacks. If you have already paid the ransom, most likely, you have received no further emails regarding how to decrypt the files corrupted Usam Ransomware. The attackers simply do not need to waste their time communicating with you anymore.
It does not look that you can restore your files with the help of cybercriminals. However, you might be able to use a free decryptor, or you might be able to replace the corrupted files with copies in the backup. Hopefully, this is available to you, but you should delete Usam Ransomware before taking any further action. We hope that you can remove the threat manually using the guide below, but of course, it is not the best option out there. Identifying malware files, deleting threats that might exist along with the ransomware, and then protecting the system against new attacks are all complicated tasks. However, if you employ a legitimate anti-malware program, it will scan the system for threats, perform the removal, and also secure your system automatically. Therefore, we recommend installing it ASAP.
Remove Usam Ransomware
- Open File Explorer by tapping Windows+E keys.
- Enter %HOMEDRIVE% into the quick access bar at the top.
- Delete the _readme.txt file and the SystemID folder.
- Enter %LOCALAPPDATA% into the quick access bar.
- Delete the {long random name} folder that contains a malicious ransomware file.
- Empty Recycle Bin after closing the File Explorer.
- Install and run a trusted malware scanner to check for hidden leftovers or threats.
In non-techie terms:
Usam Ransomware is a dangerous piece of software that can make your files unreadable and also help cybercriminals trick you into giving up your savings. Although $490 might not seem like the biggest ransom for your personal files, know that you are unlikely to get anything in return for your money. This is why we cannot recommend communicating with cybercriminals or paying the ransom. What else can you do? Perhaps, once you delete Usam Ransomware, you can replace the corrupted files with copies stored in backup (online or external), or you can use a free decryptor that has been vetted by security researchers. As for the removal, you might be able to use the guide below, but if you want to have all threats removed and your system fully protected simultaneously, we suggest implementing a trusted anti-malware program.