Parasite ransomware – a file-locking virus that exploits its victims for monetary gain
It is a computer virus that encrypts personal victim data with military-grade RSA-2048[1] and RC4[2] encoding algorithms. It demands payment in cryptocurrency Bitcoins (through @READ_ME_FILE_ENCRYPTED@.html ransom note) for said file decryption.
The virus also renames all files by appending the .parasite extension – this is where malware gets its name from. Data is inaccessible until a required decryption tool is used. Unfortunately, it's tough to do without the help of the cybercriminals who would prefer to be contacted via this email – parasiteciph@tutanota.com.
If any of your devices were affected by this file-locking malware, then you chose the right place to learn more about it and find out how to remove it. This article contains information about the Parasite virus, including distribution techniques used to deliver it and its removal options. If you're eager to get rid of it, scroll down to the bottom of the page.
| name | Parasite file virus |
|---|---|
| Type | File-locking virus, cryptovirus |
| Encryption algorithm | RSA-2048 and RC4 |
| Appended file extension | .parasite extension is appended to all original filenames |
| Ransom note | @READ_ME_FILE_ENCRYPTED@.html |
| Preferred payment method | Cryptocurrency Bitcoins |
| Malware removal | All computer infections must be eliminated by using trustworthy anti-malware software |
| System health check | Victims of ransomware should use powerful system repair tools like the FortectIntego app to fix any system issues the cyber infection might have caused |
All ransomware generates some sort of ransom notes when the encryption of data is completed. With some, it might be text files (Wbxd virus, Cring virus), while others (Dis virus), in addition to text files, can create pop-up windows too. This ransomware, however, creates an .HTML file ransom note.
Within it, cybercriminals explain what happened to the victim files and what they should do to restore them. The main goal of these notes is to scare or convince victims into meeting the demands of their assailants. Developers of Parasite virus want to be contacted via a given email so they could provide ransom details because apart from the preferred payment method, the ransom amount isn't specified.
The whole message from the cyber thieves is long and can be read here:
Your ID is: –
All your files are encrypted !
Hello! All your files have been encrypted using RSA-2048 and RC4 encryption algorithm. You can learn about cryptography and encryption algorithm here RSA-2048 (Wikipedia) and RC4 (Wikipedia)
That's why your files are no longer readable.
It means that the contents of your files have been changed and you can't use them as before. It is like loosing your files forever.
How can I recover my files ?If you understand the importance of the situation, Then you can ask for the decryption of your files.
To decrypt your files, you need to purchase your private key.
The price can change every day so don't waste your time ! You can ask for the payement (in bitcoin) by email: parasiteCIPH@tutanota.com
Please specify your ID in the subject of your message.
Once you paid, you will receive your key and the decryption tool.How can I buy bitcoins ?
To buy bitcoins, you can follow these links:
hxxps://localbitcoins.com
hxxps://bitcoin.org
hxxps://www.bitcoin.com
hxxps://www.coinbase.comYou can learn more about the bitcoins here
Should I trust you ?
Yes, you can trust us.
Our mission is to decrypt your files. You pay, we help.
Remember that if you don't want to pay you will not be able to get you files back.Attention !
Only communication through our email can guarantee file recover for you. We are not responsible for the actions of third parties who promise to help you most often they are scammers.
Please, do not try to rename encrypted files.
If you want to make sure that it is impossible to recover files using third-party software, do this not on all files, otherwise you may lose all data.
Our goal is to return your data, but if you don't contact us, we will not succeed
Although it might seem that meeting the criminals' demands is the easiest way out of this sticky situation, it's the worse thing any ransomware victims can do. And here's why:
- Received money motivates the criminals to increase their attacks.
- It finances their development of more sophisticated malware.
- It provides funds for research of more efficient ways of payload file delivery.
The only way to stop ransomware creators from infecting the computers of innocent people is by not paying them. If victims stopped succumbing to their assailants, new file-locking parasites wouldn't be created, and hopefully, the attacks would stop.
That's why our cybersecurity team highly recommends victims remove ransomware from their infected devices. Best results are achieved when doing that with a professional anti-malware tool such as SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes. Scan your entire system and let the software do the rest.
Malware usually makes changes to system files and system settings. That could lead to various system issues, such as freezing, crashing, etc. So once Parasite ransomware removal is finished, experts[3] recommend performing a system repair with powerful system tune-up tools like FortectIntego or similar.
Learn to identify spam emails to avoid ransomware
We've all received spam emails in our lives, but little did you know that ransomware developers love to spread their creations through them. The infections are usually hidden either as an email attachment or in a hyperlink. These emails might look like legitimate letters from your beloved store, bank, shipping company, etc.
But as soon as any of the aforementioned options are clicked, your device's files might be locked within minutes. Our team compiled a set of signs that would help everyday computer users to identify these threats. Please don't open any email attachments or hyperlinks if an email consists of any of these indications:
- You're addressed in a general manner, instead of your full name.
- You are urged to visit a site through a given hyperlink immediately.
- The email is written in poor grammar.
- The sender's domain doesn't exactly match the domain of the company.
- You're pushed to download the attachment because it contains some critical updates/data.
- Email senders ask to provide them sensitive information.
Guidelines for Ransomware removal and a quick but important system repair
If your device was infected with Parasite virus, that means your anti-virus software failed you. Maybe its virus database was out of date or it's just incapable of catching hazardous malware. That's why we recommend our readers acquire a dependable anti-malware app like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes to prevent such perils.
According to VirusTotal[4], 49 out of 71 anti-virus tools caught the infection and prevented it from encrypting personal data. Here's a few examples of its detection names:
- Ransom:MSIL/FileCoder!MTB
- ML.Attribute.HighConfidence
- Win32:RATX-gen [Trj]
- HEUR:Trojan.Win32.Generic
- GenericRXIQ-YQ!1BE0E2B3B59A
The only right thing do to after you get your computers contaminated is to get rid of the infection. People shouldn't ever consider meeting the demands of the criminals. So remove ransomware with anti-malware software to ensure it's completely eliminated.
Afterward, run a system repair with FortectIntego or similar powerful system tune-up tools. This will get your device back on it's feet and prevent it from exhibiting any abnormal behavior such as the blue screen of death, severe lag, crashing, freezing, and so on.
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