Black Worm ransomware (Removal Guide) - Free Instructions

Black Worm virus Removal Guide

What is Black Worm ransomware?

Black Worm ransomware is a dangerous file locking virus that appends .bworm extension

Black Worm ransomwareBlack Worm ransomware is a file locking virus that uses AES cipher to encrypt data and asks ransom to set it free

Black Worm ransomware is a crypto malware that derived from HiddenTear open source project. Once the virus infects the computer, it performs a scan to detect photos, videos, music, and other files. It then uses the AES[1] encryption algorithm to encode data and adds .bworm file extension. At this point, a personal ID is generated and is sent to the remote server controlled by hackers. Victims can also view a ransom note REAT_IT.txt that is placed in every single folder where altered files are located. Users are faced with the harsh truth: they are informed that all their personal files are inaccessible and the only way to get them back is by paying $200 worth of Bitcoin. Unfortunately, there is no Black Worm ransomware decryptor available yet, and users might not be able to ever return their files.

Summary
Name Black Worm
Type Ransomware
Cipher AES
File extension .bworm
Ransom demand $200 in Bitcoin
Origination HiddenTear
Infection source Spam emails, unprotected RDP, malicious websites, fake updates, etc.
Elimination Use security software like FortectIntego or SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner

Cyber blackmail is one of the most prevalent illegal money-making schemes, and hackers have been using ransomware viruses for over a decade now. Up till this day, file locking malware remains one of the most devastating cyber infections. Unfortunately, Black Worm ransomware removal will not return the access to the files. Nevertheless, such a process is necessary for a normal computer operation.

Black Worm virus makes several changes to the system, including:

  • Alters/adds registry keys;
  • Creates ADS file[2] to hide malicious files;
  • Attempts to delete Shadow Volume Copies;
  • Drops several executables;
  • Launches svchost.exe string that runs the malware.

In order to revert these modifications, users need to remove Black Worm ransomware from their computers. While manual elimination is possible, it is not recommended, as only trained IT professionals can perform it. For regular users, we recommend using security software like FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner, or any other program that can detect Black Worm virus.

Many users might be considering the possibility of paying the ransom of $200, but experts[3] highly discourage victims from contacting crooks. Sure, it is one of the options available, but it increases the risk of losing nor only personal files, but also the paid money. Over the years, many victims ended up with nothing after transferring the money to criminals. Therefore, they cannot be trusted.

Those who keep backups are in luck – restoring files encrypted by Black Worm ransomware will be easy. Those who do not have such an option should try third-party software that might be able to help with at least partial data recovery. And, finally, security researchers are always working on creating free decryptors for malware victims, and projects like No More Ransom helped millions of users worldwide. Thus, if nothing works, make a copy of your files and wait.

Black Worm virusBlack Worm is a data locker that was first discovered in mid December 2018

Ransomware distribution techniques

In most cases, users do not know much about ransomware, let alone its distribution methods. Therefore, the vast majority of victims that gen infected are either less computer savvy or simply not attentive enough. Nevertheless, there are several precautionary measures that you can practice to avoid the dreadful infection. Here are some of the tips:

  • Install reputable anti-malware software that is capable of stopping most of the malicious software from infecting the PC;
  • Avoid visiting questionable sites, including file-sharing, torrent, porn, gambling, and similar;
  • Beware of spam emails – that attachment or hyperlink might contain malware;
  • Beware of bundled software, some installers might be modified and injected with a malicious script;
  • Patch your software as soon as updates are released – they fix critical security vulnerabilities that can be exploited by malware authors;
  • Use tools like VirusTotal to scan executable and other files before opening them;
  • Use strong passwords for all your accounts (use password manager).

Additionally, because no security measures can prevent the malware infection completely, you should backup your files on a regular basis.

Black Worm virus removal steps

You should not listen to cybercrooks, even if your files are modified by .bworm extension. Instead, you should take care of Black Worm ransomware removal by using reputable security tools like FortectIntego or SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner. Beware that not all security engines can detect each an every one of the malicious files, but some do better than the others. Because .bworm file virus might use evasion techniques, we advise you enter Safe Mode with Networking as explained below.

As soon as you remove Black Worm virus from your computer, proceed with the data recovery. If you have backups ready, make sure you do not connect the external or virtual device to your machine while it is infected by malware, or your backup data will be encrypted as well. If you do not keep backups, make use of our guide for alternative recovery options below.

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What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

Getting rid of Black Worm virus. Follow these steps

Manual removal using Safe Mode

To make sure you remove Black Worm promptly, enter safe mode with networking:

Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.

Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking

Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment. 

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

Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes

Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details.
    Open task manager
  3. Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
  4. Right-click and select Open file location.
    Open file location
  5. Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
    End task
  6. Delete the contents of the malicious folder.

Step 3. Check program Startup

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Go to Startup tab.
  3. Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
    Startup

Step 4. Delete virus files

Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:

  1. Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
    Disk cleanup
  2. Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
  3. Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:

    Temporary Internet Files
    Downloads
    Recycle Bin
    Temporary files

  4. Pick Clean up system files.
    Delete temp files
  5. You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):

    %AppData%
    %LocalAppData%
    %ProgramData%
    %WinDir%

After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.

Remove Black Worm using System Restore

You can also use System Restore feature to eliminate the threat:

  • Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
    Windows 7 / Vista / XP
    1. Click Start Shutdown Restart OK.
    2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
    3. Select Command Prompt from the list Select 'Safe Mode with Command Prompt'

    Windows 10 / Windows 8
    1. Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
    2. Now select Troubleshoot Advanced options Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
    3. Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window. Select 'Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt'
  • Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
    1. Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter. Enter 'cd restore' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    2. Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again.. Enter 'rstrui.exe' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    3. When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of Black Worm. After doing that, click Next. When 'System Restore' window shows up, select 'Next' Select your restore point and click 'Next'
    4. Now click Yes to start system restore. Click 'Yes' and start system restore
    Once you restore your system to a previous date, download and scan your computer with FortectIntego and make sure that Black Worm removal is performed successfully.

Bonus: Recover your data

Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove Black Worm from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.

While some users might think that $200 in Bitcoin is a fair price to pay, do not contact criminals. Not only you might lose your money but you will also be funding illegal activities. Instead, try recovering your data using third-party software.

If your files are encrypted by Black Worm, you can use several methods to restore them:

Try using Data Recovery Pro to restore your personal files encrypted by AES cipher

Data Recovery Pro is professional tool created to bring back files that were accidentally deleted or corrupted. Nevertheless, it proved to be useful for victims of ransomware.

  • Download Data Recovery Pro;
  • Follow the steps of Data Recovery Setup and install the program on your computer;
  • Launch it and scan your computer for files encrypted by Black Worm ransomware;
  • Restore them.

Windows Previous Version Feature might help you recover files

This option is only available if you had System Restore enabled before the infection occurred.

  • Find an encrypted file you need to restore and right-click on it;
  • Select “Properties” and go to “Previous versions” tab;
  • Here, check each of available copies of the file in “Folder versions”. You should select the version you want to recover and click “Restore”.

ShadowExplorer might get all of your data back

While Black Worm ransomware attempts to delete Shadow Volume Copies, it might fail to do so. In such a case, all your files can be returned with the help of ShadowExplorer.

  • Download Shadow Explorer (http://shadowexplorer.com/);
  • Follow a Shadow Explorer Setup Wizard and install this application on your computer;
  • Launch the program and go through the drop down menu on the top left corner to select the disk of your encrypted data. Check what folders are there;
  • Right-click on the folder you want to restore and select “Export”. You can also select where you want it to be stored.

No decryptor is available

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Black Worm and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes

How to prevent from getting ransomware

Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are

There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity. While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.

Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.

Data backups are important – recover your lost files

Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data. Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.

While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.

About the author
Lucia Danes
Lucia Danes - Virus researcher

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