How to remove GoldenEye ransomware virus

GoldenEye virus is the new malware variant from Mischa and Petya ransomware creators

Authors of Petya and Mischa ransomware^[1] viruses have developed a new one, which is called the GoldenEye virus. Despite that the virus is named after the sequel of the James Bond film franchise^[2], the cyber threat has no other associations with it. This is common and considered the most dangerous piece of malware – cryptocurrency extortion-focused file-locker. The infection starts with silent infiltration and file alterations until it ends in ransom note delivery.

The malicious software brings updated Petya and Mischa viruses into the computer and uses them to corrupt data stored on the disks. Upon arrival on the target system, GoldenEye ransomware finds a random .exe application on the system, copies its name, and saves its executive file under the copied name in the %APPDATA% folder.

This file is then automatically executed and run. First of all, the virus unfolds a high-level attack, which reads files on the system and encrypts them with AES encryption in CBC mode. This key is 32 bytes long and cannot be guessed or brute-forced easily. In fact, it is nearly impossible to do so. This means that once common data gets encrypted, it is impossible to recover those pieces without the author.

Paying is not an option, since these malware creators are known for being greedy and cruel. You are left with a few alternate data recovery methods. However, note that virus removal is crucial since file recovery on the insecure system can end in permanent file damage.

During the encryption, GoldenEye appends specific file extensions to the files to show the victim which files were encoded. Once the ransomware encrypts all data, it attempts to bypass User Account Control (UAC) to implement a low-level attack and install Petya ransomware on the PC.

In case the UAC is set to maximum, an annoying pop-up asking to allow the malicious program to make changes on the computer comes up repeatedly.

The “Yes” will execute Petya, and the “No” option will get you, Mischa. In case the UAC is set to low or default, the malware bypasses it and successfully installs Petya^[3]. After encrypting the victim's files, the file-locking malware saves YOUR_FILES_ARE_ENCRYPTED.TXT ransom note on the desktop, which provides “three easy steps” on how to restore encrypted data. 

While NotPetya/Petya.a wreaks global havoc, the Goldeneye virus makes a move as well

Besides May 12, which netizens may remember as the day when notorious WannaCry came into daylight, the world will remember June 27, 2017, as well. On this day, a new threat struck the virtual community. Though initially, it raises assumptions that it was none other than the latest version of Petya, soon specialists have found that it is an independent malware labeled as NotPetya/Petna/Petya.a.^[4]

It managed to break into systems of governmental institutions, advertising agencies in the UK, nuclear power plant in Ukraine, wreak operation of petrol stations in the USA. 

Fortunately, an IT specialist has found a way how to prevent cyber assault for now.^[5] Users have to create a text file or download the file.

While everyone has concentrated attention on the latter threat, it seems that the developers of the original Petya virus were working on another campaign. The Cadbury chocolate factory located in Tasmania was reported to have been hit by the Goldeneye version, though, according to the ransom image, it might be the same Petya.a virus.^[6] Similar reports have been recorded in Romania as well.^[7]

Speaking about the low-level part, the malware crashes the system and starts it with a bogus CHKDSK. This system tool is supposed to check logical file system errors; however, this fake version implements Master File Table encryption via Salsa20.

Once this procedure is finished, the computer displays a golden screen with an ASCII skull blinking on it. The screen says “PRESS ANY KEY!” and then displays the same information like YOUR_FILES_ARE_ENCRYPTED.TXT ransom note. It states that the data in hard disks was encoded by using a complex military-grade encryption method and asks for a ransom. Victims are instructed to follow access Tor network and proceed with the payment.

Usually, it demands 1,3 BTC which equals approximately 1000 USD. Needless to say, that it is unwise to pay the crooks since racketeers earn stunning amounts of money from the ransomware business and there are few reports of returned data ^[8]. The information from the ransom note is displayed below.

The hardisks of your computer have been encrypted with an military grade encryption algorithm. There is no way to restore your data without a special key. You can purchase this key on the darknet page shown in step 2.
To purchase your key and restore your data, please follow these three easy steps:
1. Download Tor Browser . If you need help please google for “access onion page”.
2. Visit one of the following pages with the Tor browser :
[page link] [page link]

3. Enter your personal decryption code there:
[address]

If you already purchased your key, please enter it below.

The provided web addresses can be accessed only via the Tor browser. The indicated pages are designed for each victim individually. The web page consists of three sections – Payment, FAQ, and Support. The crooks promise to provide the decryption key right after the victim pays the indicated ransom.

GoldenEye Decrypter requires a correct key in order to work, otherwise, all files could be destroyed. Therefore, the Decrypter provides an option to backup encrypted files so that in case the victim enters the wrong key, another chance to decrypt them would be left.

If you have become a victim of the malware attack, we highly suggest you remove GoldenEye malware via Safe Mode with Networking using anti-malware tools like MalwarebytesMalwarebytes or SpyHunterCombo Cleaner. Read instructions on how to begin the automatic threat removal below the post.

The transmission preferences

As common for the type of such viruses, the infection takes place after a victim opens an infected email and enables macro settings ^[9]. The latest version of this ransomware was detected to be the German version. It seems that the actor behind this ransomware, who calls himself/herself Janus, provides an affiliate program for anyone who wants to join him and help to distribute the ransomware.

As common for ransomware, the payload is disguised in a fake report attachment. The very message is entitled to Bewerbung and addresses a victim in a formal manner. It might disguise in the following .xls files: Wiebold-Bewerbung.xls, Meinel-Bewerbung.xls, Seidel-Bewerbung.xls, Wüst-Bewerbung.xls, Born-Bewerbung.xls, and Schlosser-Bewerbung.xls.

Afterward, when they are opened, you are asked to enable the content. Likewise, the ransomware activates incorporated base64 strings to proceed further with the encryption. As for the prevention tips, do not rush to open any emails even if they might be sent by the FBI or the police officer. Verify the sender before opening the attachments.

Get rid of Goldeneye ransomware and only then recover files

Firstly, you need to eradicate the file-encrypting malware. For that, you can employ an anti-spyware tool, for example, SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes. Make sure that virus definitions are updated for the software to remove GoldenEye virus completely. Only when the process is complete, you might proceed to data recovery options. We have provided several of them for your convenience.

If you cannot complete GoldenEye removal due to the locked screen or a non-responding computer, do not panic and use our guidelines. The system can also get restored using FortectIntego. Since Petya has been cracked down after a while, the new version might be terminated eventually, though it might take a while.