Bhui ransomware (virus) - Recovery Instructions Included
Bhui virus Removal Guide
What is Bhui ransomware?
Bhui ransomware belongs to a malware family that releases new variants weekly
Bhui is a highly destructive computer virus that uses an advanced RSA encryption[1] algorithm to encrypt all personal documents, videos, pictures, databases, and other data. This sophisticated code makes decrypting files extremely difficult without the specific decryption key held by the cyber criminals.
As a result, regaining access to your data becomes nearly impossible. To indicate that files are encrypted, the virus appends a .bhui extension to them and removes their original icons, rendering them inaccessible. This disruption can have serious consequences, particularly for individuals who do not have backups of their critical data.
After successfully infiltrating a system, the malware[2] drops a ransom note file called _readme.txt. This file contains a demand for cryptocurrency[3] payment, typically requiring victims to pay $480 or $980 in Bitcoin.
| NAME | Bhui |
| TYPE | Ransomware, file-locking malware |
| MALWARE FAMILY | Djvu |
| FILE EXTENSION | .bhui |
| RANSOM NOTE | _readme.txt |
| RANSOM AMOUNT | $490/$980 |
| CONTACT MAILS | support@freshmail.top, datarestorehelp@airmail.cc |
| FILE RECOVERY | There is no guaranteed way to recover locked files without backups. Other options include paying cybercriminals (not recommended, might also lose the paid money), using Emisoft's decryptor (works for a limited number of victims), or using third-party recovery software |
| MALWARE REMOVAL | After disconnecting the computer from the network and the internet, do a complete system scan using a security program |
| SYSTEM FIX | As soon as it is installed, malware has the potential to severely harm some system files, causing instability problems, including crashes and errors. Any such damage can be automatically repaired by using FortectIntego PC repair |
The ransom note
The ransom note is a message from cybercriminals demanding a ransom for the release of the victim's files. According to the note, all of the victim's files, including pictures, databases, documents, and other important data, have been encrypted with strong encryption and a unique key. The only way to regain access to the files is to pay the cybercriminals for a decryption tool and the corresponding unique key.
ATTENTION!
Don't worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like pictures, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
hxxps://we.tl/t-vKvLYNOV9o
Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that's price for you is $490.
Please note that you'll never restore your data without payment.
Check your e-mail “Spam” or “Junk” folder if you don't get answer more than 6 hours.To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
support@freshmail.topReserve e-mail address to contact us:
datarestorehelp@airmail.ccYour personal ID:
–
The cybercriminals offer to decrypt one file for free if the victim sends it to them as a small guarantee. They do, however, specify that the file must not contain any valuable information. They also provide a video overview of the decrypt tool in an attempt to entice the victim. The ransom for obtaining the private key and decrypt software is set at $980, but if the victim contacts them within the first 72 hours, the price is reduced to $490. The note emphasizes that the victim will never be able to restore their data unless they pay.
For communication, the ransom note includes two email addresses: support@freshmail.top and datarestorehelp@airmail.cc. To obtain the decrypt software, the cybercriminals instruct the victim to contact them via email. However, for a variety of reasons, it is strongly advised not to contact the cyber criminals.
Cybercriminals are extremely untrustworthy because they have already committed illegal acts by encrypting the victim's files. Even after receiving the ransom payment, there is no guarantee that they will provide the necessary tools or decrypt the files. Engaging with cybercriminals only serves to reinforce their criminal behavior and provide financial support for their illegal activities, putting more people and organizations at risk in the future.
Remove Bhui ransomware
If you have never been a victim of ransomware, it can be difficult to know where to begin dealing with the situation. However, taking the proper steps is critical and can determine whether or not you can recover your data in the end.
To protect other devices on the same network from potential malware infections, you must immediately disconnect your computer from the internet. Malware frequently communicates with remote Command & Control servers via networks, so disconnecting your device can help prevent its spread. To accomplish this, follow the steps below:
- Type in Control Panel in Windows search and press Enter
- Go to Network and Internet
- Click Network and Sharing Center
![Network and internet 2]( "Network and internet 2")
- On the left, pick Change adapter settings
![Network and internet 3]( "Network and internet 3")
- Right-click on your connection (for example, Ethernet), and select Disable
![Network and internet 4]( "Network and internet 4")
- Confirm with Yes.
If your device has been infected with the Bhui ransomware and is currently not connected to the internet, you can manually remove it. However, this procedure is complex and necessitates advanced IT knowledge. It is generally recommended to seek the assistance of a professional or to use specialized software designed specifically for removing ransomware.
Attempting to remove the ransomware manually is risky and may result in further damage to your device if not done correctly. As a result, performing a thorough system scan with reputable security software such as SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes is the recommended approach for dealing with the infection. These tools are capable of detecting and removing all malicious components associated with ransomware.
Additionally, it is highly recommended to employ a reliable recovery tool FortectIntego that can address any system issues that may arise (such as crashes or errors) following the successful removal of the malware.
Recover .bhui files
Contrary to popular belief, security software cannot perform the miraculous task of restoring ransomware-affected personal files. Its primary purpose is to detect and remove malicious programs while also protecting your device from future threats. Recovery of encrypted ransomware data requires a completely different approach, which anti-malware software cannot do on its own. The presence of such software, on the other hand, is critical in detecting potential issues and fortifying device security.
When ransomware is activated, it encrypts files and creates a unique ID as well as a complicated encryption key. This information is then sent to the cybercriminals who are orchestrating the attack and have the corresponding decryption key required to unlock users' data. Unfortunately, because their goal is to profit from the situation, these criminals do not provide the decryptor for free.
Instead of resorting to payment, we strongly recommend exploring alternative solutions as outlined below. Prior to proceeding, it is essential to create a backup copy of the encrypted data, as there is a possibility of corruption during the restoration process. One option worth attempting is the Emsisoft decryption tool, which may or may not be successful in your particular case.
- Download the app from the official Emsisoft website.
![Bhui ransomware]( "Bhui ransomware")
- After pressing Download button, a small pop-up at the bottom, titled decrypt_STOPDjvu.exe should show up – click it.
![Bhui ransomware]( "Bhui ransomware")
- If User Account Control (UAC) message shows up, press Yes.
- Agree to License Terms by pressing Yes.
![Bhui ransomware]( "Bhui ransomware")
- After Disclaimer shows up, press OK.
- The tool should automatically populate the affected folders, although you can also do it by pressing Add folder at the bottom.
![Bhui ransomware]( "Bhui ransomware")
- Press Decrypt.
![Bhui ransomware]( "Bhui ransomware")
From here, there are three available outcomes:
- “Decrypted!” will be shown under files that were decrypted successfully – they are now usable again.
- “Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID:” means that the keys for this version of the virus have not yet been retrieved, so you should try later.
- “This ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible” – you are unable to decrypt files with this tool.
If your data was encrypted with an online ID, Emsisoft's tool won't work. In such a case, we recommend trying specialized data recovery software instead.
- Download Data Recovery Pro.
- Double-click the installer to launch it.
![Bhui ransomware]( "Bhui ransomware")
- Follow on-screen instructions to install the software.
- As soon as you press Finish, you can use the app.
- Select Everything or pick individual folders which you want the files to be recovered from.
![Select what to recover]( "Select what to recover")
- Press Next.
- At the bottom, enable Deep scan and pick which Disks you want to be scanned.
![Select Deep scan]( "Select Deep scan")
- Press Scan and wait till it is complete.
![Scan]( "Scan")
- You can now pick which folders/files to recover – don't forget you also have the option to search by the file name!
- Press Recover to retrieve your files.
Another alternative is to exercise patience and wait for security researchers and companies to develop a free decryption tool. This often occurs when vulnerabilities are identified within the encryption code used by the malware or when law enforcement agencies seize the cybercriminals' servers. It is important to note that there is no guarantee that such a solution will be created in the future. Nevertheless, we recommend following the provided links to explore the possibility of finding a decryptor for this particular virus.
- No More Ransom Project
- Free Ransomware Decryptors by Kaspersky
- Free Ransomware Decryption Tools from Emsisoft
- Avast decryptors
Getting rid of Bhui virus. Follow these steps
Restore Windows "hosts" file to its original state
Some ransomware might modify Windows hosts file in order to prevent users from accessing certain websites online. For example, Djvu ransomware variants add dozens of entries containing URLs of security-related websites, such as 2-spyware.com. Each of the entries means that users will not be able to access the listed web addresses and will receive an error instead.
Here's an example of “hosts” file entries that were injected by ransomware:
In order to restore your ability to access all websites without restrictions, you should either delete the file (Windows will automatically recreate it) or remove all the malware-created entries. If you have never touched the “hosts” file before, you should simply delete it by marking it and pressing Shift + Del on your keyboard. For that, navigate to the following location:
C:\\Windows\\System32\\drivers\\etc\\
Create data backups to avoid file loss in the future
One of the many countermeasures for home users against ransomware is data backups. Even if your Windows get corrupted, you can reinstall everything from scratch and retrieve files from backups with minimal losses overall. Most importantly, you would not have to pay cybercriminals and risk your money as well.
Therefore, if you have already dealt with a ransomware attack, we strongly advise you to prepare backups for future use. There are two options available to you:
- Backup on a physical external drive, such as a USB flash drive or external HDD.
- Use cloud storage services.
The first method is not that convenient, however, as backups need to constantly be updated manually – although it is very reliable. Therefore, we highly advise choosing cloud storage instead – it is easy to set up and efficient to sustain. The problem with it is that storage space is limited unless you want to pay for the subscription.
Using Microsoft OneDrive
OneDrive is a built-in tool that comes with every modern Windows version. By default, you get 5 GB of storage that you can use for free. You can increase that storage space, but for a price. Here's how to setup backups for OneDrive:
- Click on the OneDrive icon within your system tray.
- Select Help & Settings > Settings.
- If you don't see your email under the Account tab, you should click Add an account and proceed with the on-screen instructions to set yourself up.
- Once done, move to the Backup tab and click Manage backup.
- Select Desktop, Documents, and Pictures, or a combination of whichever folders you want to backup.
- Press Start backup.
After this, all the files that are imported into the above-mentioned folders will be automatically backed for you. If you want to add other folders or files, you have to do that manually. For that, open File Explorer by pressing Win + E on your keyboard, and then click on the OneDrive icon. You should drag and drop folders you want to backup (or you can use Copy/Paste as well).
Using Google Drive
Google Drive is another great solution for free backups. The good news is that you get as much as 15GB for free by choosing this storage. There are also paid versions available, with significantly more storage to choose from.
You can access Google Drive via the web browser or use a desktop app you can download on the official website. If you want your files to be synced automatically, you will have to download the app, however.
- Download the Google Drive app installer and click on it.
- Wait a few seconds for it to be installed.
- Now click the arrow within your system tray – you should see Google Drive icon there, click it once.
- Click Get Started.
- Enter all the required information – your email/phone, and password.
- Now pick what you want to sync and backup. You can click on Choose Folder to add additional folders to the list.
- Once done, pick Next.
- Now you can select to sync items to be visible on your computer.
- Finally, press Start and wait till the sync is complete. Your files are now being backed up.
Report the incident to your local authorities
Ransomware is a huge business that is highly illegal, and authorities are very involved in catching malware operators. To have increased chances of identifying the culprits, the agencies need information. Therefore, by reporting the crime, you could help with stopping the cybercriminal activities and catching the threat actors. Make sure you include all the possible details, including how did you notice the attack, when it happened, etc. Additionally, providing documents such as ransom notes, examples of encrypted files, or malware executables would also be beneficial.
Law enforcement agencies typically deal with online fraud and cybercrime, although it depends on where you live. Here is the list of local authority groups that handle incidents like ransomware attacks, sorted by country:
- USA – Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3
- United Kingdom – ActionFraud
- Canada – Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
- Australia – ScamWatch
- New Zealand – ConsumerProtection
- Germany – Polizei
- France – Ministère de l'Intérieur
If your country is not listed above, you should contact the local police department or communications center.
How to prevent from getting ransomware
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices. Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using Private Internet Access VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings. Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact – you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use Data Recovery Pro for the data restoration process.
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- ^ RSA (cryptosystem). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
- ^ Malware | What is Malware & How to Stay Protected from Malware Attacks. Paloaltonetworks. Cyber Threat Analysis.
- ^ Cryptocurrency is Fueling Ransomware Attacks. Sangfor. Cyber Security.