How to remove First ransomware virus

First ransomware — a new version of Hidden Tear

First virus is a crypto-ransomware ^[1] infection derived from an open-source program known as Hidden Tear. This virus is not the only example of an educational-purpose program gone wrong. We have seen a similar situation with EDU2 ^[2] as well. After receiving some critique from the security community, Hidden Tear creator Utku Sen has taken this program down, but the hackers continue using its leaked code for their malicious inventions. In our previous articles, we have already talked about such malicious Hidden Tear spin-offs as FSociety and today, we would like to discuss FirstRansomware virus as one of the latest ransomware using this code. By analyzing the newest ransomware variants, we can have a better idea of how these programs develop and what can possibly be expected in the future. If you do not wish to wait a minute longer, you can skip the analysis and head straight to the First removal. Just remember, that you should only use automatic scanners for the removal. We recommend trusting FortectIntego for the task.

Technically, like most ransomware, the First virus encrypts files using an algorithm that replaces contents of the infected files with a sophisticated code ^[3] which can only be decoded with the help of a special decryption key. Such files become virtually unreadable and stand out from the non-infected ones with untypical extensions .krzysiok (or .locked) which are appended to the end of the filename. The encryption process itself may last from a couple of hours to several days, depending on how much data there is to encrypt and the time the computer in on standby. Finally, when the files are all encrypted, and the appended with specific extensions the virus drops a skeleton-themed ransom note:

Death B*tches
You have achieved something
You just got my little brand new ransomware
Anyways, lets talk about your files and PC
Your files are crypted with strong encryption that is literally uncrackable
Pay 1.5 BTC, and i am going to decrypt your files.
Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;
*You have got 48 hours to make a payment. If time is up, then your data is going to be deleted.

The file of this pop-up note is deployed on every folder of the infected computer so that there is no way for the victim to bypass it without noticing. In the note, the extortionists explain what the victim has to do in order to fix the hijacked device and give 48 hours to meet the set terms. In particular, they try to persuade them into paying the 1.5 Bitcoin ransom which, looking at the current Bitcoin value, is a relatively large sum. Though such scare tactics ^[4] may be very convincing, we do not advise paying it. On the opposite, you should avoid any collaboration with the cyber criminals at all costs and remove First without second-thinking it.

How to protect your device against this ransomware?

Though there is no guaranteed way to secure your device against First ransomware attack, there is a way to protect your data. In other words, you have to make backup copies of your important files ^[5]. Today, there is a variety of backup software on the market. The storage of the backups is not a problem either since there are devices that can hold 1 TB or even more information in one spot. Copies of your files can be saved on thumb drives, external HDDs, etc. We do not recommend limiting yourself to a single storage option. Besides, data transfer to an external storage should only be carried on on a completely clean computer. Same goes for the data recovery. You can roll back your files from backup when you are entirely sure First ransomware is gone from your computer.

Remove First ransomware with professional antivirus tools:

First of all, we should say that we highly recommend you to remove First virus from the computer using automatic tools not only for the first-timers but also for the more advanced users as well. There are several reasons for this. Automatic First removal is less risky and ensures that all of the virus files are detected and eliminated from the device successfully. Besides, ransomware is often destructive and designed to mess up the computer system when the victim attempts their removal. But professional antivirus software does not fall into such traps and eliminates the virus without causing additional havoc on the computer.