How to remove 1500dollars ransomware

1500dollars ransomware – a data-locking and blackmailing virus that provides in-depth payment instructions 

1500dollars ransomware is a file-locking virus that encrypts data on a targeted computer and then tries to extort money for a promised decryption tool. This particular virus derives from the Phobos ransomware family. Viruses from this lineage have been terrorizing computer users since October of 2017.

Its previous variants (Eking, Acuff) are very similar in some ways. For example, the way they append files. 1500dollars ransomware virus appends a complex three-part extension to all non-system files, which consists of appointed victim ID (in brackets), criminal email address(also in brackets) and .1500dollars appendix.

When all personal files (documents, archives, pictures, etc.) are renamed and encrypted, two types of ransom notes are created – a pop-up window and info.txt text files (both messages from the cybercriminals can be seen at the bottom of this paragraph). Unlike other ransomware (like SWP or Dex), ransom notes from the creators of 1500dollars ransomware are very informative. 

In the pop-up windows, creators of 1500dollars ransomware explain to the victims what has happened – that all their files are encrypted because of security issues. They provide two contact options, one email address (cleverhorse@protonmail.com), and one instant messaging service Jabber ID (cleverhorse@xmpp.jp).

As a gesture of good faith, the cybercriminals are offering to send them no more than three files for free 1500dollars ransomware virus decryption, thus proving that they really possess the necessary tool. Each victim is appointed with a unique ID which should be sent to them upon establishing contact.

The rest of the message is instructions on how to acquire cryptocurrency Bitcoins (preferred payment method of the developers of 1500dollars ransomware). Then a very detailed instruction on how to register and install Jabber. And lastly, the cybercriminals warn the victims not to rename the files or try any third-party decryption software as that might lead to permanent data loss.

The ransom message in the text files (info.txt) is all bout how to register and install Jabber software on a computer or mobile phone. It seems that the criminals are trying their best to convince victims to contact them via this software by offering alleged tools of 1500dollars ransomware file recovery.

Contacting the criminals and paying them off could seem like the easiest way out, but the FBI thinks otherwise^[1]. Each victim that pays the ransom fuels future attacks of cybercriminals. When they get paid they get motivated to attack more innocent people and create more sophisticated malware than 1500dollars ransomware virus.

Instead, people should focus on malware removal. We advise using a trustworthy SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes apps to remove 1500dollars ransomware from their infected computers. Both of these apps are time-tested and will do the dirty work for you.

When 1500dollars ransomware removal is done with, and your device is virus-free it's time to take care of its overall health. Malware is known to change system settings and its files to help it with its purpose. Using the FortectIntego tool might help restore any changes done to the system.

Creators of 1500dollars ransomware send this message with the ransom note pop-up window:

All your files have been encrypted!
All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail cleverhorse@protonmail.com
Write this ID in the title of your message –
If there is no response from our mail, you can install the Jabber client and write to us in support of cleverhorse@xmpp.jp
You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the tool that will decrypt all your files.
Free decryption as guarantee
Before paying you can send us up to 1-3 files for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 10Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.)
How to obtain Bitcoins
The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click 'Buy bitcoins', and select the seller by payment method and price.
hxxps://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins
Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:
hxxp://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/
Jabber client installation instructions:
Download the jabber (Pidgin) client from hxxps://pidgin.im/download/windows/
After installation, the Pidgin client will prompt you to create a new account.
Click “Add”
In the “Protocol” field, select XMPP
In “Username” – come up with any name
In the field “domain” – enter any jabber-server, there are a lot of them, for example – exploit.im
Create a password
At the bottom, put a tick “Create account”
Click add
If you selected “domain” – exploit.im, then a new window should appear in which you will need to re-enter your data:
User
password
You will need to follow the link to the captcha (there you will see the characters that you need to enter in the field below)
If you don't understand our Pidgin client installation instructions, you can find many installation tutorials on youtube – hxxps://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=pidgin+jabber+install
Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.

Here's the message from the text file ransom note:

Want return your files?Write to our xmpp account – cleverhorse@xmpp.jp
The easiest way – register here hxxps://www.xmpp.jp/signup
After download pidgin client hxxps://pidgin.im/
Press Add account,choose protocol xmpp and put username from xmpp.jp where are you sign up
Domain – xmpp.jp
Put your password and press add
When you log in press Buddies –> Add Buddy–>and in Buddys username put cleverhorse xmpp.jp
After you will see added account cleverhorse@xmpp.jp,click twice on it and write your message
You can send us 1-3 test files. The total size of files must be less than 10Mb (non archived),
we will decrypt them and send to you that we are real
If you have a problem with xmpp you can write to our mail cleverhorse@protonmail.com

Guidelines to add some security to your computer system and evade ransomware

Nowadays, the internet is full of all kinds of malware.^[2] But we're here to help you so if you stick to our shortlist of suggestions you might dodge it:

• Backups, backups, backups. All computer users should have backups of all their essential data. In other words, keep backups in at least two separate locations, like cloud, USB drives, etc.
• Keep your Operating System updated with the latest updates.
• Acquire, regularly scan the whole system and constantly update a trustworthy anti-malware software.
• Purchase a powerful system tune-up tool so your device's health is looked after.
• Don't visit shady sites.
• Don't use file-sharing platforms like The Pirate Bay.
• Don't open spam emails. Don't download any email attachments without scanning them first.

Removal instructions for 1500dollars ransomware

Removing malware manually can be a challenging task even for tech-savvy computer users, so we're advising leaving the dirty work for professionals. Use SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes antimalware software to perform a full system scan and automatically remove 1500dollars ransomware.

Experts^[3] advise using the FortectIntego app following a successful 1500dollars ransomware removal to check if the system files and settings are intact. Malware can change these settings and files to help it with its purpose. If left unattended these changes might lead to computers exhibiting abnormal behavior.