BonziBuddy ransomware / virus (Nov 2016 update) - Virus Removal Instructions

BonziBuddy virus Removal Guide

What is BonziBuddy ransomware virus?

The outcomes of BonziBuddy ransomware attack

Among the newly emerged ransomware threats, BonziBuddy virus might cause various associations. Despite its title, which is borrowed from famous interactive application distributed between 1999 and 2004, it is unwise to underestimate it. The PUP version, which spread under the Win32.adware-gen a few years ago, received attention as well. However, this cute virtual character did not cease to inspire cyber criminals. It disperses with the assistance of a trojan horse. Furthermore, evading it turns out to be a challenge. Fortunately, you can remove BonziBuddy if you employ a reliable application, such as FortectIntego. Since the ransomware spreads with an entire escort of malicious files, the elimination process should not be delayed. More explicit information about BonziBuddy removal is delivered below the article.

Pop culture, mythology, and political events spark cyber criminals’ imagination to give specific and peculiar names for the menacing file-encrypting malware. As the international virtual community still battled the latest version of Cerber and Thor, this name of this virus also originates from a popular application. This Windows assistant gained popularity in the turn of the millennium by guiding users throughout the web and their browsers. Unfortunately, the innocent image of purple gorilla was exploited for hackers’ misdeeds.

The screenshot of BonziBuddy

According to the ransom message, the crooks are suspected to be a bunch of amateur hackers still making their way into the ransomware business. As a result, they did not perfect their creation. The ransom message is not elaborate as it only mocks victims by throwing offensive remarks. There is no indicated email address or explicit instructions to recover the files. What is more, they are unaffected as BonziBuddy malware does not employ standard AES-128 or RSA-1024 encryption techniques. In addition, the ransomware does not limit your access to the device. It might be similar to Smash! ransomware and zScreenLocker which did lock the screen but did not inflict bigger damage. However, its distribution method might cause concern for the members of the virtual community.

How do hackers disperse the malware?

The malware has been detected spreading via the following trojans:

  • JOKE_BONZITHREAT
  • Ransom-Joke.BonziBuddy
  • W32.Troj.Ransom.Filecoder!c
  • Win32.Trojan-Ransom.Filecoder.P@gen
  • Win32:Malware-gen

Therefore, this situation suggests that the initiators of BonziBuddy ransomware have huge potential to improve their viruses in the future. You should arm up with proper security tools to reduce the vulnerability of your operating system. Keep in mind that other ransomware viruses tend to spread via spam messages. The crooks have mastered the techniques how to forge realistic and persuasive fake FBI alerts or trial invitations, though usually the victims are bombarded with fake package delivery and invoice attachments. Recklessly reviewing them might activate BonziBuddy hijack or trigger the infiltration process of another virus. Regardless if the message addresses you directly, do not fall for such bait. Curiosity might cost you the personal data!

Elimination steps of the ransomware

Quickly and effectively eliminate BonziBuddy virus with the help of an anti-spyware application, such FortectIntego or Malwarebytes. These tools will do all the necessary preparations and finish the removal process quickly. Therefore, you will do not need to go all the trouble to remove BonziBuddy from the device. After the virus is removed, you should check whether all your important files are unaffected. In case, you encounter BonziBuddy removal problems, scroll down to find the access regain instructions.

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What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

Getting rid of BonziBuddy virus. Follow these steps

Manual removal using Safe Mode

Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.

Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking

Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment. 

Windows 7 / Vista / XP
  1. Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
  2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. – it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
  3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list. Windows 7/XP
Windows 10 / Windows 8
  1. Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
    Settings
  2. Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
    Update and security
  3. On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
  4. Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
  5. Click Restart now.
    Reboot
  6. Select Troubleshoot. Choose an option
  7. Go to Advanced options. Advanced options
  8. Select Startup Settings. Startup settings
  9. Press Restart.
  10. Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking. Enable safe mode

Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes

Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details.
    Open task manager
  3. Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
  4. Right-click and select Open file location.
    Open file location
  5. Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
    End task
  6. Delete the contents of the malicious folder.

Step 3. Check program Startup

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Go to Startup tab.
  3. Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
    Startup

Step 4. Delete virus files

Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:

  1. Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
    Disk cleanup
  2. Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
  3. Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:

    Temporary Internet Files
    Downloads
    Recycle Bin
    Temporary files

  4. Pick Clean up system files.
    Delete temp files
  5. You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):

    %AppData%
    %LocalAppData%
    %ProgramData%
    %WinDir%

After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.

Remove BonziBuddy using System Restore

  • Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
    Windows 7 / Vista / XP
    1. Click Start Shutdown Restart OK.
    2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
    3. Select Command Prompt from the list Select 'Safe Mode with Command Prompt'

    Windows 10 / Windows 8
    1. Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
    2. Now select Troubleshoot Advanced options Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
    3. Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window. Select 'Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt'
  • Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
    1. Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter. Enter 'cd restore' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    2. Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again.. Enter 'rstrui.exe' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    3. When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of BonziBuddy. After doing that, click Next. When 'System Restore' window shows up, select 'Next' Select your restore point and click 'Next'
    4. Now click Yes to start system restore. Click 'Yes' and start system restore
    Once you restore your system to a previous date, download and scan your computer with FortectIntego and make sure that BonziBuddy removal is performed successfully.

Bonus: Recover your data

Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove BonziBuddy from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.

If your files are encrypted by BonziBuddy, you can use several methods to restore them:

The use of Data Recovery Pro

This application is designed for retrieving the files after a system crash or another unexpected malfunction. Therefore, you might also succeed in recovering some of the encrypted files after ransomware attack. 

  • Download Data Recovery Pro;
  • Follow the steps of Data Recovery Setup and install the program on your computer;
  • Launch it and scan your computer for files encrypted by BonziBuddy ransomware;
  • Restore them.

Opting for Windows Previous Version feature

If System Recovery is enabled, you can locate the automatically saved copy of your files by following these steps.

  • Find an encrypted file you need to restore and right-click on it;
  • Select “Properties” and go to “Previous versions” tab;
  • Here, check each of available copies of the file in “Folder versions”. You should select the version you want to recover and click “Restore”.

ShadowExplorer – another alternative

The main advantage of this application lies in the ability to recover the files using the volume shadow copies. Rarely, ransomware threats get access to these copies so there are more chances to recover the data.

  • Download Shadow Explorer (http://shadowexplorer.com/);
  • Follow a Shadow Explorer Setup Wizard and install this application on your computer;
  • Launch the program and go through the drop down menu on the top left corner to select the disk of your encrypted data. Check what folders are there;
  • Right-click on the folder you want to restore and select “Export”. You can also select where you want it to be stored.

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from BonziBuddy and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes

How to prevent from getting ransomware

Do not let government spy on you

The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices. Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet. 

You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using Private Internet Access VPN.

Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.

Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack

Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings. Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact – you can set this process to be performed automatically.

When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use Data Recovery Pro for the data restoration process.

About the author
Julie Splinters
Julie Splinters - Anti-malware specialist

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