Do you know what VIRUS Ransomware is?
VIRUS Ransomware is a new variant of Crysis/Dharma Ransomware. Such threats are numerous, and, so far, it does not seem like there is an end to them as we encounter new versions almost daily. All of them have more or less the same working manner, although details like hackers’ contact information or the extension used to mark a threat’s encrypted files always change. Further, in this article, we explain how this particular variant works, how it could be distributed, and what the ways to get rid of it are. Also, a bit below the article, we provide a removal guide that shows how to delete VIRUS Ransomware. We recommend checking it out if you decide to eliminate the malicious application manually. Another thing that we can offer is our comments section available at the end of this article if you have any questions related to the malware we discuss in this text.
VIRUS Ransomware might be spread the same as other threats from the Crysis/Dharma Ransomware family. For instance, it could be spread via Spam emails or file-sharing websites that provide pirated software, unknown freeware, and so on. Thus, there is no doubt that one of the main things a user should do to protect his system from similar threats is to keep away from content that comes from unreliable sources. Even if a file seems legit, it could still be a threat in disguise. Instead of launching it and possibly infecting your device right away, we recommend scanning data that you do not know to be safe for sure with a reliable antimalware tool that is capable of detecting various threats.
VIRUS Ransomware screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
During the encryption process, VIRUS Ransomware appends a somewhat unique extension. It consists of three parts: a unique ID number, the hackers’ email address, and “.VIRUS.” For instance, a file called text.docx available on our test computer turned into text.docx.id-3D9E098B.[amandacerny89@aol.com].VIRUS after the device got infected. Afterward, the malicious application displayed a ransom note on a pop-up window called amandacerny89@aol.com. As other ransom notes of threats from the Crysis/Dharma Ransomware family, the pop-up should contain a golden lock image. The sentence below it ought to say: “All your files have been encrypted!” The rest of the message explains what happened to a user’s files, how they can be restored with specific decryption tools, and how a user can get such tools by paying a ransom. However, before making a payment, the note asks to contact the malware’s developers via email.
It is vital to know that paying a ransom could end up hazardously if hackers do not keep up with their promises. Therefore, we recommend against it if you do not want to take any chances. In which case, we advise deleting VIRUS Ransomware and then replacing encrypted files with backup copies that you could have. There are two ways to erase this threat. The first one is to delete all of the malware’s files manually. If you want to try it, you could follow the removal guide available below. If it seems too tricky, we recommend installing a reliable antimalware tool instead. To eliminate the malware as well as other possible threats, you would need to perform a full system scan and click the provided deletion button.
Erase VIRUS Ransomware
- Restart your computer in Safe Mode with Networking.
- Click Windows Key+E.
- Navigate to the suggested paths:
%TEMP%
%USERPROFILE%Desktop
%USERPROFILE%Downloads - Identify a file launched when the system got infected, right-click the malicious file and select Delete.
- Find these paths:
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
%WINDIR%\System32 - Locate copies of the malware’s launcher (the title could be random), right-click them and select Delete.
- Go to this location: %USERPROFILE%Desktop
- Find a file titled FILES ENCRYPTED.txt, right-click it and choose Delete.
- Navigate to these paths:
%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
%WINDIR%\System32\Info.hta - Look for documents called Info.hta, right-click them and choose Delete.
- Exit File Explorer.
- Press Windows Key+R, type Regedit and choose OK.
- Navigate to this path: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- Look for value names that could be related to the malicious application.
- Right-click such value names and press Delete.
- Close the Registry Editor.
- Empty Recycle bin.
- Restart the computer.
In non-techie terms:
VIRUS Ransomware is a malicious application that encrypts user’s data to take it as a hostage. Naturally, to get such files back, hackers demand their victims to pay a ransom. We cannot say how huge it could be as the malware’s ransom note does not name the price, and we have not tried to contact the cybercriminals behind this threat either. In any case, no matter how much the decryption of your files could cost, we advise against it if you do not want to take any risks. The hackers may claim they have necessary decryption tools and that they will provide them as soon as you pay, but the truth is that there are no guarantees they will do so. Thus, we advise considering their offer very carefully. Another thing we recommend is erasing VIRUS Ransomware from your system. There is no point in leaving it. Plus, it could be dangerous to let it be, so it might be best to eliminate it with a chosen antimalware tool that comes from reputable developers or with the removal guide available above this text.