How to remove FCT ransomware

FCT ransomware – a file-locking virus that is spread as an additional component of KMSAuto or an image activator

FCT ransomware, also known as .adv files virus, is a recently-emerged cyber threat that uses the AES encryption to block all the files and documents that are placed on the infected Windows computer system. When the components are attacked, the .adv appendix gets attached to each filename. Afterward, FCT ransomware provides a ransom note, informs the victim about the encryption process, and urges for a specific ransom price. Even though there is no particular information about the ransom message, the criminals are likely to urge for Bitcoin cryptocurrency under various conditions.

It is known that FCT ransomware brings the FTC.exe process to the Windows computer as the main task of the malicious module. You can find this type of executable included in the Windows Task Manager. The distribution of the malicious payload relies on stealth technique. The malware is distributed as an additional component of KMSAuto or an image activator as the image Activator_Office.exe file. Of course, FCT ransomware might also end up on the targeted device due to a downloaded software crack, malicious email spam attachment, vulnerable RDP, infectious adverts and links.

FCT virus is a malicious cyber threat that appears on Windows computer systems and alters the Windows Registry and Task Manager sections. These areas get filled with malware-laden processes and entries that execute different parts of the malware. This way the ransomware virus might be able to boot itself within every computer startup process.

Furthermore, it might hide as a legitimate process name to avoid getting detected. Nevertheless, the ransomware virus might be able to block your antimalware software. Continuously, FCT ransomware is likely to scan the entire computer system for encryptable objects once in a while to make sure that no files are left free. 

Also, FCT ransomware might execute specific PowerShell commands that will allow the cyber threat to eliminate the Shadow Volume Copies of your encrypted files. This way you will be prevented from recovering the encrypted components by using restoring software that requires available and undamaged Shadow Copies^[1] of the files.

Another way how FCT ransomware can try to prevent you from recovering your files is by permanently damaging the hosts file that will block you from visiting various security-related websites that might hold valuable technology details.

We only know the extension the malware adds and the encryption cipher it uses for locking the components. Even though there is not much information provided about the ransom note or demanded ransom price, FCT ransomware is a file-encrypting virus and almost all the threats of this kind operate in a very similar way.

FCT ransomware is likely to provide you with ransom demands anywhere between $50 and $2000 or even more if the cybercriminals are very greedy. Usually, the money is urged to be transferred in some type of cryptocurrency, for example, Bitcoin, Litecoin, or Ethereum as these types of payments allow the criminals to keep their anonymity safe.

Nevertheless, FCT ransomware developers might provide specific conditions for the payment, for example, you might have to pay the demanded ransom in 3 days or the price will increase twice. Also, these people will try to encourage you to make the payment faster by claiming that they are the only ones capable of recovering the encrypted files.

A piece of advice would be to think before paying the hackers. These people cannot be trusted as they can easily scam you by taking your money and leaving you with no tool or a fake one. Better perform the FCT ransomware removal and try some alternative data recovery tools that have been added to the end of this article.

Another reason to remove FCT ransomware from the computer system is the possibility that this cyber threat will bring additional malware infections to the system. It can be already programmed to distribute some types of viruses but it can also open the backdoors for other parasites by making the Windows device more vulnerable.

If you are struggling to detect or uninstall FCT ransomware, it might be blocking your antivirus software. To disable the malicious process related to this threat, you should boot your computer system in Safe Mode with Networking or activate the System Restore feature. Continuously, for damage fixing, try employing software such as FortectIntego.

Ransomware viruses get delivered via malicious files

Virus experts from ZonderVirus.nl^[2] state that ransomware-related payload is often delivered in a form of some type of executable, word document, or other files. You can be prompted to download an infected file while visiting unsecured downloading networks on the Internet or while opening attachments that are clipped to spam messages.

In order to avoid the appearance of such malware, you should not click on any unknown downloading links and get all of your software from reliable developers and their official websites. Continuously, delete all random emails that fall to the inbox and spam sections and do not open any attached files without scanning them with antimalware first.

However, ransomware infections are capable of entering Windows computer systems more than in one or two ways. Other commonly used techniques include:

• Hacking RDPs.^[3] The criminals search for vulnerable RDP configuration that includes an easy-guessable password or no security code at all and hacks it.
• Infectious adverts. Malvertising is also known as a way of getting infected with ransomware. Avoid clicking on every ad that you see on the Internet.
• P2P sites.^[4] Ransomware can also get downloaded from unsecured peer-to-peer sources such as The Pirate Bay, eMule, and BitTorrent.

All in all, it is very important to be cautious nevermind what you are doing on the Internet. Also, do not forget to take care of your antivirus protection. Install a reliable tool and make sure that it is updated regularly.

The elimination process of FCT ransomware

FCT ransomware removal is a process that needs to be carried out with big care, otherwise, the malware will still remain in your Windows computer system and cause trouble. If you have found that the ransomware virus has been blocking your antimalware process and preventing you from eliminating it, you should disable all of the malicious processes by booting your machine in Safe Mode with Networking or accessing the System Restore function. 

Do not try to remove FCT ransomware on your own as you might make mistakes or skip some components that are related to the automatical boot process of the virus. If you think that the malware has caused any damage to your computer system or its software, you can check such speculation by running a full system scan with the help of SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes. If the tools find any damage, you can try fixing the altered areas by employing another tool such as FortectIntego.

When .adv files virus is gone and the infection no longer remains on your computer system, you can start thinking about data recovery possibilities. Below we have provided some software that might help you with this process.