Sanction ransomware / virus (Jun 2016 update) - Jun 2016 update

Sanction virus Removal Guide

What is Sanction ransomware virus?

Is Sanction ransomware virus really dangerous?

If you have been infected with Sanction virus, do not panic. There is a way to eliminate it. In case you are new to ransomware viruses, we have to inform you that these are these types of cyber infections may encrypt your most valuable data using a complex algorithm and prevent you from accessing them for an unlimited time. That is, until you pay the ransom. Sanction, also called the Rush ransomware behaves virtually the same. It uses AES encryption algorithm to lock the files and asks the victims to pay up if they ever want to get their files back. We understand that the information on your computer can be very important but paying the ransom should be your last resort because the cyber criminals may disappear with your money without providing you with the personalized decryption key. Thus, is would be much wiser to remove this virus from the infected device. You can use FortectIntego to speed up the process.

The virus was named likewise for its distinct peculiarity to attach .sanction extension to all affected files. It targets a wide range of various Word, Excel, PowerPoint, audio and video files. Since work-related reports or personal files usually bear extensions of .doc, .jpg, .wma, .mp3, etc, they are most likely to be targeted. Moreover, it seems that the developers of this ransomware are quite discreet. They do not provide any email address for contacting them directly. The ransom note indicates the domain, hxxp://v-crimea.ru/write.php, which you should access and transmit the money.

The ransom note of Sanction virus

The cyber criminals threaten you to hurry up with the payment since all the encoded files would be lost within three days. However, there are no guarantees that you will recover them even if you remit the payment. Cyber criminals have greatly profited from such malicious activity. They bear no responsibility to return the data to you. Moreover, what is interesting that this threat deletes all shadow copies and even may threaten your back-ups. Recently, the sale of Rush/Sanction ransomware has been announced on the Internet. The right of distributing the virus costs 1500 USD. Some even suspect that this threat is related to notorious threat TeslaCrypt, which was officially ceased a couple of months ago. After all, you should focus on virus removal.

What are the most typical ways this malware infects computers?

Most likely, you have been infected with Sanction malware through spam emails. This method of distribution has been a popular and, unfortunately, profitable way. Though users have been more aware of the dangers lurking in spam, there is still a significantly high number of infected users via this specific technique. Scammers have manifested their mastery and creativity by developing astonishingly persuasive strategies. Do not rush opening the email if it contains a message from Microsoft support team or local tax company encouraging you to fill the form of a possible tax refund. The goal of these emails is to convince you into opening the malicious attachment which contains virus within. Usually, these fake emails bear grammar mistakes, or you might miss some details which are obligatory in the official emails sent from the respective company. Beware of surfing in torrent sharing domains since they also happen to be the target of placing the ransomware.

Sanction ransomware removal suggestions:

Since this threat appears to be quite aggressive and complex, we recommend you to save time and energy by opting for automatic Sanction removal. Once you install an anti-spyware program, run the system scan. The software will remove ransomware within a few minutes. It will also proof-check and monitor the security of the operating system to minimize the risk of potential threats. Unfortunately, the application does not decrypt the files locked by this malware. In order to do that, you might try using data recovery applications. Lastly, if you encounter some difficulties and cannot remove this virus because your antivirus does not launch, take a look at the system recovery guidelines provided below.

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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 Sanction 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 Sanction 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 Sanction. 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 Sanction removal is performed successfully.

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

How to prevent from getting ransomware

Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool

Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online. One of the basic means to add a layer of security – choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features. However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN – it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.

 

Lost your files? Use data recovery software

While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable. Family photos, work documents, school projects – these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur: power cuts, Blue Screen of Death errors, hardware failures, crypto-malware attack, or even accidental deletion.

To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, Data Recovery Pro can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.

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

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