How to remove Bart ransomware virus

Bart ransomware virus: encrypts files without connecting to the Internet 

Bart ransomware (you can also find it named as Locky Bart^[1]) is a virus that encrypts your files and asks you to pay for their decryption. This malware variant appears to be created by the same authors as Locky virus, Osiris, Thor, and Aesir. It has already initiated two attacks against PC users and, unfortunately, they both can be considered successful. Just like Locky, it spreads as a JS file utilizing RockLoader malware^[2] to silently download and install its infectious files on a compromised computer. What is more, Bart virus can work and corrupt victim’s files without using Internet connection, so it cannot be stopped by disabling network connection. It does not communicate with its command and control server and does not send the unique decryption key to it, but it localizes the encryption procedure and uses a slightly different technique to make files inaccessible. Instead of encrypting them with RSA or AES encryption algorithms^[3], ransomware puts each file into a ZIP archive and protects it with a password. It appends .bart file extension or .bart.zip file extension to the filenames, and removes the System Restore Points. The archived file name looks like this: example.txt.bart.zip. If you can find these signs of infiltration on your computer, make sure you remove Bart ransomware from the system.

Note: We have discovered that this computer threat checks default language setting before running the encryption process and in case the default language is Russian, Ukrainian, or Belorussian, the virus stops and uninstalls itself. Otherwise, it continues to run.

It is unlikely that this virus can leave any of your files unencrypted as it targets more than 160 different file types what means that all files with file extensions that this virus targets will be corrupted, including documents, photos, audio, video files and many more. Just like any ransomware-type virus traditionally does, Locky Bart leaves a ransom note which is called recover.txt. The virus even provides several translations for the ransom note, including French, Spanish, German and Italian languages. Besides, it changes desktop background with recover.bmp image looking identical to the one that Locky virus shows. This ransom note points the user to a payment site which can be accessed via TOR browser only. The payment site suggests Bart Decryptor for 3 BitCoins which is nearly 2000 US dollars, and that is an exceedingly big ransom price.^[4] it is worth noting that this payment site looks very similar to Locky Decryptor‘s one. We do not recommend you to pay the ransom, as frauds might not provide you with the password for all these .bart.zip archives. Our suggestion is a quick Locky Bart removal. The best way to do it is to utilize an anti-malware program like FortectIntego.

Decrypting files with .Bart.zip extension

This malware is an exceptionally strong variant of ransomware, because creators of Locky know what they are doing very well. They have already created one of the most successful and uncrackable computer virus in the history of malware what means their new virus is likely to be as strong as the previous one. Surprisingly, cyber security experts from AVG and AVAST have already created the decryption software for this ransomware.^[5][6]. You will need one original file and one corrupted variant of it to retrieve the password of these .bart.zip archives. Do not forget to remove Bart virus from computer before you start the decryption process!

Speaking of other ransomware variants, the only possible way to recover lost files is to import them from a backup, sadly, not many people care to create them on time. If you do not have backups, but if you want to learn how to create them, please read this article – How to backup your files? If you have a backup, you should remove the virus first and then plug in the storage device into your PC to import files.

Bart malware versions

Bart v2.0 ransomware. Since malware researchers have managed to create Bart decryption tool, criminals have upgraded the ransomware and released an undecryptable version which does not add files to archives but encrypts them instead. This version has not been cracked yet, and it is not possible to recover files for free. The virus adds .bart2 file extensions to encrypted files and asks to pay a ransom. It places a ransom note on user’s PC that informs where the user can purchase the Bart decrypter.

Perl ransomware virus. The latest version of Bart ransomware hardly differs from its second version. The most noticeable difference is that it adds different file extensions to encrypted files – it renames them by adding .perl file extension. Reportedly, virus asks for a different sum of money from individual victims. Its ransom note also points users to Bart decrypter’s payment site; however, you should not support criminals by paying them. Unfortunately, files encrypted by .perl file extension virus cannot be decrypted.

Bart distribution methods

This virus spreads via malicious email campaigns that deliver a .zip file attachment. Typically, authors of this ransomware send emails with a subject Photos. Files attached to these malicious emails are titled as image.zip, picture.zip, photos.zip and similarly. These archives carry JavaScript code, and if the user launches it, it immediately downloads and installs RockLoader malware which is an intermediary loader. This malware downloads Bart virus and runs it. The easiest way to avoid infecting your PC with ransomware is to stay away from suspicious emails that come from unknown people or companies, and of course, keep the computer protected by installing the anti-malware software on it.

Bart removal guide

Please bear in mind that Bart virus is an extremely dangerous virus and that you cannot remove it manually unless you are a skilled IT expert. As we have said, this virus uses RockLoader malware to infiltrate the system. It has to be removed as well to forget about further problems related to this ransomware. Therefore, the best solution for Bart ransomware removal is running a full system scan with a powerful anti-malware application. In this case, we recommend using FortectIntego or SpyHunterCombo Cleaner. We have no doubts that this ransomware will try using various techniques to prevent its elimination from your computer. If you can’t remove Bart virus because it keeps blocking your anti-spyware, follow instructions prepared by 2spyware security experts.