How to remove Betta ransomware

Betta ransomware — yet another version of Dharma ransomware discovered in October 2018 

Betta ransomware is a virus that encrypts stored data and adds .betta appendix to every encoded file. Since it belongs to the Dharma ransomware family, the primary encryption algorithm is AES. Developers make your data useless by locking your photos, videos, documents, and archives with the main purpose of extorting money. These people are malicious, and they demand a payment made in Bitcoin, but you shouldn't even consider paying them. Any contact between you and these malware developers can lead to permanent data or money loss, especially paying for these criminals.^[1] After the successful encryption Betta ransomware virus developers create a ransom note that starts with “All your files have been encrypted!” and is placed in most of the folders on your infected device. Since this is a variant almost identical to previous versions in the family, we can assume that ransom message is placed as Info.hta and FILES ENCRYPTED.txt files. 

Betta ransomware is a virus that was created by notorious hackers known for a few years now and targeting the world with their crypto-extortion-based threats. This fall malware analysts have encountered a few new versions which belong to the same family of cyber threats. Dharma remains one of the most dangerous malware that goes neck to neck with GandCrab and WannaCry. 

The notorious Betta ransomware does not explain much in the ransom note, and the main information in the file is about payment methods, test decryption and suggestions to stay away from manual decryption because it may lead to permanent data loss. As ransomware developer suggests, you should buy cryptocurrency, and they provide you some links with places to do so. However, this is not safe and spending money for alleged decryption is not a good idea.

As well as the test decryption by Betta ransomware developers. This is not a guarantee that your data will get unlocked. The only goal cybercriminals want to reach by offering this test decryption is building the trust. Unfortunately, this test decryption only tricks people into paying them, and after the transaction, malicious actors disappear without recovering your files.

Betta ransomware ransom note reads the following:

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 backtonormal@foxmail.com
Write this ID in the title of your message:
In case of no answer in 24 hours write us to theese e-mails: backtonormal@foxmail.com
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 decryption tool that will decrypt all your files. 
Free decryption as guarantee
Before paying you can send us up to 1 file for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 1Mb (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. 
https://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins 
Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here: 
http://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/ 
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.

Betta ransomware encrypts your data, and there is no solution besides replacing your encoded files with secure data from a backup. There is no possibility to decrypt data manually, and virus researchers haven't developed a proper tool yet. The encryption process is a quick procedure that ransomware performs as a final step of the attack.^[2]

Many researchers^[3] advise creating backups in cases like this Betta ransomware infection or any other unfortunate malware attacks. If you haven't backed your data and wanted to get your files back, you need to employ software or recovery features of your operating system. Ransomware can affect various places of your device to make the threat more persistent:

• Windows registry keys;
• System folders;
• Windows .dll files;
• Important functions.

However, you need to remove Betta ransomware from the system first, and only then attempt data recovery. Follow your guidelines below the article and enter the Safe Mode with Networking. Then, scan your system using anti-malware tools which we also suggest below. 

Make sure that you perform Betta ransomware removal and then check if the system is clean with tools like FortectIntego. A full system scan indicates what intruders remain on the network and remember that ransomware can encrypt your data again if you add external drive on the infected system.

Notorious ransomware spreads its payload using various methods

One of the most common approaches to distributing all kinds of malware including ransomware is the spam email. These email may be created in a manipulative way. Spam emails often imitate emails that may be sent from legitimate services or organizations, for example:

• PayPal;
• Amazon;
• eBay;
• FedEx;
• DHL;
• Dropbox.

Be aware that if you receive an email that looks like an invoice, receipt, banking document, order information or other financial documents it might be maliciously infected. Pay more attention to emails that pose as legitimate services you do not use. The minute you open the attached file and download it on the system ransomware spreads directly on your system, or another malware infects the device with the purpose of distributing malicious script.

Eliminate Betta ransomware using anti-malware tools and don't forget to double-check

To remove Betta ransomware from the device entirely, you need to use reputable anti-malware tools like FortectIntego, SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes. These programs can scan your device thoroughly and detect all possible intruders while cleaning the system from virus damage. Ransomware encrypts files all over the system and makes changes to your device that you cannot identify yourself. 

Betta ransomware removal using these tools affects the performance of your device significantly. And it is crucial if you want to recover your files because any newly added file can be locked by the ransomware that remains on the system. Scan your system, remove all malware and double-check if the device is clear before any data recovery.