How to remove Arazite ransomware

Arazite ransomware can make personal files impossible to open with encryption algorithms

Arazite ransomware is a virus that uses complicated encryption^[1] algorithms to lock users' personal files, like photos, videos, and documents. It can result in permanent data loss if victims do not have backups. The affected files are appended with the .arazite extension.

If a file was previously named picture.jpg, after encryption, it would look like this – picture.jpg.arazite. The icons are also changed to white pages so thumbnails are unavailable. The encrypted files are impossible to open or view. The main goal of ransomware attackers is to get paid for a decryption key.^[2]

The ransom note

After the encryption process is done, the Arazite ransomware generates info.hta ransom note. The full message reads as follows:

ALL YOUR DATA TURNED TO USELESS BINARY CODE

Your computer is infected with a virus.
Send an email parazite@tutanota.com, specify in the subject your unique identifier – and you will definitly be helped to recover.

NOTE:
You can send 2 files as proof that we can return all your data.
If the provided email doesn't work, please contact us at alcmalcolm@cock.li
Algorithms used are AES and RSA.

IMPORTANT:
1. The infection was due to vulnerabilities in your software.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Please, do not try to rename encrypted files.
5. Our goal is to return your data, but if you don't contact us, we will not succeed.

Cybercriminals inform victims that their files have been encrypted using AES and RSA algorithms. Supposedly, the only way to recover them is to contact the ransomware creators. Of course, they want to get paid for decryption. The ransom amount is not specified in the note which means it is most likely negotiated privately.

Threat actors also warn that there is no other way to recover data. They want to get paid in cryptocurrencies because they provide anonymity. However, we strongly advise you not to pay for decryption because they cannot be trusted. Many previous ransomware attack victims say that they never received the promised decryption tools after sending the payment.

Distribution methods

Threat actors use various techniques to spread ransomware. The most common infection sources are “cracked” software^[3] installations from Torrent websites and peer-to-peer file-sharing platforms. They are unregulated because this activity is illegal. Therefore, it is impossible to know if the packages you are downloading do not contain any malicious files.

It is best to use official web stores and developer websites for software installations. Apps that get listed on digital marketplaces have to go through an extensive review process. It may get costly but you may save in the long run by keeping your system running smoothly. 

One more channel that also is used quite often by ransomware developers is email. They use social engineering techniques to create letters that look like important and urgent messages from well-known companies. They include infected attachments or malicious links that launch malware.

You should also be aware that hackers can use software vulnerabilities to deliver their malicious programs. That is why keeping the operating system and software updated is crucial. Software developers regularly release security patches that should be installed as soon as they come out.

Ransomware removal process

The important thing to do is to disconnect the affected machine from the local network as we talked about the dangers of that previously. For home users, disconnecting the ethernet cable should do the job. If this happened at your workplace, doing that might be complicated, so we have instructions for corporate environments at the bottom of this post.

If you try to recover your data first, it can result in permanent loss. It can also encrypt your files the second time. It will not stop until you remove the malicious files causing it first. You should not attempt removing the malicious program yourself unless you have experience. Manual removal of ransomware is extremely complicated and is suitable for people with advanced IT skills.

Use anti-malware tools like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes to scan your system. This security software should find all the related files and entries and remove them automatically for you. In some cases, malware does not let you use antivirus in normal mode, so you need to access Safe Mode and perform a full system scan from there:

Windows 7 / Vista / XP

1. Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. – it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.

Windows 10 / Windows 8

1. Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
   
2. Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
3. On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
4. Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
5. Click Restart now.
6. Select Troubleshoot.
7. Go to Advanced options.
8. Select Startup Settings.
9. Click Restart.
10. Press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.

Repair corrupted system files

Performance, stability, and usability issues, to the point where a full Windows reinstall is required, are nothing unusual after a malware infection. These types of viruses can alter the Windows registry database, damage vital bootup, and other sections, delete or corrupt DLL files, etc. Once a system file is damaged by malware, antivirus software cannot fix it.

Manual troubleshooting of such damage is also very complicated and can take a long time. This is why FortectIntego was developed. It can fix a lot of the damage caused by an infection like this. Blue Screen errors,^[4] freezes, registry errors, damaged DLLs, etc., can make your computer completely unusable. By using this maintenance tool, you could prevent yourself from having to reinstall Windows completely.

• Download the application by clicking on the link above
• Click on the ReimageRepair.exe
  
• If User Account Control (UAC) shows up, select Yes
• Press Install and wait till the program finishes the installation process
• The analysis of your machine will begin immediately
• Once complete, check the results – they will be listed in the Summary
• You can now click on each of the issues and fix them manually
• If you see many problems that you find difficult to fix, we recommend you purchase the license and fix them automatically.

Try recovering data with third-party software

Only hackers hold the decryption key, which can unlock your files, so if you did not back them up previously, there is a good chance that you will never get them back. You can try using data recovery software, but keep in mind that third-party programs cannot always decrypt files. Whatever the situation may be, we suggest at least trying this method. Before you proceed, copy the corrupted files and place them in a USB flash drive or another external storage device. And remember – only do this if you have already removed the Arazite ransomware.

Before you begin, several pointers are important while dealing with this situation:

• Since the encrypted data on your computer might permanently be damaged by security or data recovery software, you should first make backups of it – use a USB flash drive or another storage.
• Only attempt to recover your files using this method after you perform a scan with anti-malware software.

Install data recovery software

1. Download Data Recovery Pro.
2. Double-click the installer to launch it.
3. Follow on-screen instructions to install the software.
4. As soon as you press Finish, you can use the app.
5. Select Everything or pick individual folders where you want the files to be recovered from.
6. Press Next.
7. At the bottom, enable Deep scan and pick which Disks you want to be scanned.
8. Press Scan and wait till it is complete.
9. You can now pick which folders/files to recover – don't forget you also have the option to search by the file name!
10. Press Recover to retrieve your files.