RedBoot ransomware / virus (Removal Instructions) - Free Guide

RedBoot virus Removal Guide

What is RedBoot ransomware virus?

RedBoot ransomware can damage your hard drive partitions

The picture illustrating files encrypted by Redboot virus

RedBoot virus functions as a hybrid behavior of both, file-encrypting virus and a wiper. It encrypts data, appends .locked file extension, and completely overwrites Master Boot Record (MBR). The latter is responsible for how system partitions containing file systems operate. The malware also tends to modify hard drive partitions irrevocably.

Though the virus encodes data, it does not indicate the service where a user can require for Redboot Decrypter. Unless the perpetrator has the tool associated with each victim‘s computer, the decryption process is futile.[1] The malware also delivers 5 files into the system:

  • assembler.exe
  • boot.asm
  • boot.bin
  • overwrite.exe
  • main.exe
  • protect.exe

Some of the files are used to compile others and, likewise, prepare for the rewriting process of MBR. The mission to do so lies on the overwrite.exe file. Additionally, the malware developers programmed the malware likewise that the users will not interrupt with the activity of the files. Protect.exe file prevents users from launching Task Manager and ProcessHacker.

Despite this, it is necessary to remove RedBoot virus as soon as possible. FortectIntego or Malwarebytes will assist you in this process. Below instructions will explain how to bypass the intervention of the malware. The picture illustrating RedBoot ransom noteIT experts speculate that RedBoot ransomware might be a faulty ransomware virus

Other intriguing features

After finishing necessary preparations, main.exe starts operating. It looks for potentially important files and encodes them. It appends a common file extension used by the felons of multiple ransomware groups.

After finishing the process, the malware reloads the system and displays a red screen instead of ordinary Windows log-in screen. The brief message says:

This computer and all of its files have been locked! Send an email to redboot@memeware.net containing your ID key for instructions on how to unlock them. Your ID key is…

Interestingly, the malware some elements which let IT experts assume that it is a bitcoin miner. In other words, while the detection rate of the malware is still low, but it is now found as Win32.Trojan.Mbrmodifier.Auto, Win32:Malware-gen, etc[2]. Thus, it is necessary to perform RedBoot removal right away.

Transmission techniques

The malware is likely to fish for new victims via spam emails or infected torrent files. In order to maximize the number of infected emails, the services of a botnet are used. As in the case of Ykcol (Locky) which employs Necurs botnet, RedBoot ransomware might be using this one as well.

Users should also be wary of corrupted apps and browser extensions. Currently, Google Chrome Web Store has been under cyber siege. Thus, besides cautiously installing new apps and extensions, fortify the protection of the PC with multiple malware removal and anti-virus tools. If updated, they will help you escape similar RedBoot hijack in the future.

Eliminate RedBoot malware

You can remove RedBoot virus with the help of malware elimination tool. Regarding the peculiarities of this malware, you likely fail to run the tool in Normal mode. In order to bypass certain functionalities of the malware, you will need to load the device into Safe Mode or even perform System Restore. Note that you can delete the above-mentioned files, but this action will not decrypt the files. Eliminate the threat and attempt data recovery.

Since the malware also meddles with the boot settings, you need to use the Windows installation disk to access Safe mode, and System Restore functions. After you load the computer and Safe Mode, you should be able to complete RedBoot removal. Note that the malware may plague all, whether you live in the UK or Greece[3], users' computers.

Here are the instructions how to restore MBR settings:

On Windows 7:

  1. Insert the Windows 7 DVD.
  2. Press any key to launch DVD.
  3. Select language and keyboard layout preferences. Click Next.
  4. Choose the operating system, mark the Use recovery tools and click Next.
  5. Wait for the System Recovery Options screen and select Command Prompt.
  6. Type in the following commands and click Enter after each one: bootrec /rebuildbcd, bootrec /fixmbr, and bootrec /fixboot.
  7. Eject the installation DVD and restart the computer.

On Windows 8/10 systems:

  1. Insert the installation DVD or recovery USB.
  2. Select the Repair your computer option.
  3. Pick Troubleshoot and select Command Prompt.
  4. Type the listed commands one by one and type Enter after one: bootrec /FixMbr, bootrec /FixBoot, bootrec /ScanOs, and bootrec /RebuildBcd.
  5. Eject the DVD or recovery USB.
  6. Type exit and hit Enter.
  7. Reboot the PC.

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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 RedBoot virus. Follow these steps

Manual removal using Safe Mode

There are also third-party tools which help you enter 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 RedBoot 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 RedBoot. 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 RedBoot removal is performed successfully.

Bonus: Recover your data

Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove RedBoot 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 RedBoot, you can use several methods to restore them:

What is Data Recovery Pro?

After you succeed into launching the Safe Mode and eliminate Redboot ransomware from Windows, you may use the services of the tool to help you restore files. Though there is no 100% guarantee since the tool helps restore damaged data,

  • 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 RedBoot ransomware;
  • Restore them.

The benefits of ShadowExplorer

This tool helps restore files if only malware does not delete shadow volume copies in advance.

  • 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.

RedBoot Decrypter

Do not get tempted to download the software promoted by the hackers, as you may only faciliate future hijack.

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

How to prevent from getting ransomware

Access your website securely from any location

When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.

If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like Private Internet Access can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.

 

Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks

While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files. More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.

Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, Data Recovery Pro can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection. 

 

About the author
Lucia Danes
Lucia Danes - Virus researcher

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References
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