BOK ransomware / virus (Easy Removal Guide)
BOK virus Removal Guide
What is BOK ransomware virus?
Should you get terrified by BOK ransomware?
BOK virus attempts to intimidate the victims by declaring that all of their files have been encrypted. It happens to be just another file-encrypting malware. Though it employs the standard encryption method AES, virus researchers have doubts about whether the virus is going to evolve into such cyber threat as Cerber which already marked its fifth installment [1]. However, there are multiple cases when old viruses are revived again [2] causing a massive havoc in the international cyber space. Likewise, it is unwise to underestimate this virus. Remove BOK with the help of an anti-spyware program such as FortectIntego.
Such infamous cases of CryptoWall, TeslaCrypt, and Locky, has been inspiring international hackers to enter the market. Even the joint project of major cyber security companies did not ward off the bright minds to join such risky business [3]. Likewise, the developers of this malware weren’t alarmed enough and manifested their programming capabilities as well. In fact, BOK ransomware is an obvious rip-off of Locky virus. One of its previous versions appended .shit extension to corrupted files [4]. Likewise, the current malware attaches .bok file extension to every affected file. It is still unknown whether the developers of BOK malware have any relation to the cyber gang of Locky.
Following the style of the latter, the malware encodes all your personal files with AES encryption method. This method has been proven to lock out the data successfully as several cipher cycles are run to generate a unique public key. Only a matching private key unlocks the affected data. Alternatively, users who perform backups frequently do not need to worry as they can restore the data from them. Otherwise, if you happened to be one of those users who did not anticipate ransomware landing on their computers and did not back up your valuable documents, proceed to the last section of the article. You might consider paying the money to hackers, but there are no viable guarantees that you will receive the files even after remitting the payment. We urge you to start BOK removal process right away.
Does BOK also spread through spam?
Many new hackers walk already the trodden path by other cyber criminals, so few develop their own distribution techniques. Certainly, compiling several of them makes a threat more destructive. There are cases when ransomware is delivered to a victims’ computer via an insidious exploit kit. Unfortunately, the latter often disguise in fake Flash player updates [5]. Furthermore, you should not forget that spam and phishing still dominate the market when it comes to ransomware distributing. Surprisingly, many users still fall for invoice or tax report emails. Giving into a curiosity to extract the attachment leads to a rapid BOK hijack or the infiltration of another file-encrypting malware. In order to lower the risk of ransomware attack, do not rush to open the attachment. Otherwise, dealing with the outcomes becomes a nerve-wracking activity.
Eliminating the ransomware
When it comes to any file-encrypting malware, you should not waste your energy on meddling with the virtual infection manually. In this case, it would better to rely on a malware elimination tool, for example, FortectIntego or Malwarebytes. After BOK removal process is finished, you can proceed to data recovery guidelines. While IT professionals are working on a free decryption software, alternative programs might come in handy. More information is provided below. In case the malware has meddled with your system settings and you cannot remove BOK virus properly, go through the guidelines to regain the access.
Getting rid of BOK virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
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
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- 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.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
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:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check program Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Go to Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
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:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- 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).
- Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- 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 BOK using System Restore
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Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Windows 7 / Vista / XP- Click Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
- Select Command Prompt from the list
Windows 10 / Windows 8- Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
- Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
- Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window.
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Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
- Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
- Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again..
- When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of BOK. After doing that, click Next.
- Now click Yes to start system restore.
Bonus: Recover your data
Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove BOK from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.If your files are encrypted by BOK, you can use several methods to restore them:
The pros of Data Recovery Pro
If you are lost finding a quick solution to get your files back, try using Data Recovery Pro. Though it was originally created for locating a missing and damaged files due to a system crash, the latest version might come in handy retrieving some of your files.
- 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 BOK ransomware;
- Restore them.
Windows Previous Versions Feature method
Keep in mind that this method works System Restore is enabled.
- 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”.
Will ShadowExplorer help me decrypt the files?
There are high chances that you will get your files back since the utility restores them using volume shadow copies. Only few ransomware are known to delete these copies. In the case of this virus, there are no reports yet that it accesses these copies.
- 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.
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from BOK 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.
- ^ Greg Masters. Cerber 5.0.1 ransomware spreading via Google and Tor. SC magazine. Cybersecurity News and Product Reviews.
- ^ Bruce Kerr. CQ warning after rise in Cryptolocker hacker attacks. TheNorthernStar. News, weather, sports and local classifieds.
- ^ No More Ransom: Law Enforcement and it Security Companies Join Forces to Fight Ransomware. Europol. European Union’s law enforcement agency.
- ^ Daniel Sadakov. Thor File Virus Ransomware Wreaks Havoc. Information Security Buzz. Connecting InfoSec with News.
- ^ Bogdan Popa. Flash Player Security Flaws Used in Most Exploit Kits, Security Research Shows. Softpedia. Free Downloads Encyclopedia.