Brick ransomware (Decryption Methods Included) - Free Guide

What is Brick ransomware?

Brick ransomware is the cryptovirus that runs on Windows devices and uses the AES encryption algorithm to lock files as the reason for a ransom demand

Brick ransomware is the cryptovirus that calls the encryption process bricking, hence the name of the malware. Brick ransomware – a malware that demands 400 dollars from victims in Monero cryptocurrency. It uses the powerful army-grade algorithm and encrypts files, making them unusable for further use and unreadable, so people cannot even tell what is in the document, video, image, or archive. This threat affects commonly sued data directly, but can also delete shadow volume copies of files, and particular system restore points, so data recovery gets even more complicated. To interfere with recovery processes and virus removal even further, the threat can disable features, programs, and functions of the already infected computer.

As long as Brick ransomware virus is on the computer, it can affect many parts of the device and run in the background until you fully get rid of it. When you see that your files got locked and marked using .brick appendix, you can already know that there is malware on the machine. When you receive the ID_GENERATE.txt and additional pop-ups with messages from virus developers, you should react as soon as possible, because time is not in your favor when it comes to ransomware threats. Paying is not the best option because there is no guarantee that virus creators will send you the alleged BrickDecrypt tool. Even contacting them via the provided entercritical@prolonmail.com email address is not advisable because criminals can be unpredictable and spread more malware for their victims or ask for bigger amounts than the initial $400.

Brick ransomware is the threat focused on file-locking and encryption process, so it starts the attack with finding particular documents, photos, images, archives, and even databases that can get encrypted and potentially create a good reason for the ransom demand.

The message that directly asks for the payment appears once the file-locking is done. Brick ransomware developers can inform their victims about the processes and consequences or give instructions for further actions. The initial ransom note gets shown in the program window that locks your screen to deliver the information about the encryption process that has happened.

Brick ransomware generates the pop-up and names the window with random characters, possibly related to victims' ID and other identifications that help to differentiate between all the victims. The additional text file named ID_GENERATE.txt also gets placed on the desktop and in other folders that contain encrypted files.

Brick ransomware ransom-demanding message states the following :

Your files got bricked forever!
To have them back, you will need to pay a price. Don't try to decrypt your files by using stuff like Recuva or System Restore, nothing will work. AES-256 was used, and the encryption key was erased from memory; now, is an ID, that you can use for decryption.
Send 400 USD to the QR Monero code. And, send a mail to the following address ( entercritical@prolonmail.com ); use as subject ” BrickDecrypt ” and embed in the body both the “ID_GENERATE.TXT” file; and the payment \ transaction ID code. You will get in> 24h an decryption software (EXE format); run it and you will be fine.
QR code for decryption. Use an Android device to use it. Or, use the following public key address:
43dQ9yguiktUxQrQXcVpEvJtMoKsSfjc1CUpgtmrGRoNFBEEMZiSGPgVo75tWfoeBA6W6NudjgH2c84xcoLTx1xVKigk7wR
Is present in the File.ItX.TX if youTOP.IDT.TX.It presentToFile
Good luck.

Brick ransomware aims at English-speaking users, and the initial file of the ransomware was created back in summer 2019, but the sample was discovered in February 2020. This fact can mean that malware was perfected and released without any flaws. It makes the threat even more dangerous because of this because developers made sure that there are no issues with the code that may be used by researchers for termination or decryption tool generation.

That said, the sooner you decide to remove Brick ransomware the better because you can avoid further damage on the machine while the virus is freshly dropped on the machine. If you don't remove all parts of the virus and load files on the machine, your data can get encrypted again or permanently damaged. If you decide to pay and files remain locked, you lose your money and files at the same time. Brick ransomware is the threat that runs additional processes on the system, so the device shows error messages. Note that Brick ransomware removal gets affected by the threat because it manages to alter process, functions, and features of the device. When this virus runs it delivers the error message to mask the processes. It may not appear on the real computer, but it shows up on ANY.RUN service during the malware check.

Criminals created Brick ransomware to lock files and demand a ransom of $400 that should get paid via QR Monero. Such transfers of cryptocurrency are almost impossible to track, so ransomware creators, in most cases, choose such payment methods instead of real dollar transfers.

Experts^[3] strongly discourage people to stay away from any cybercriminals, especially people like these Brick ransomware virus developers. You cannot trust them because the initial aim and goal of these people is gaining money from victims.

The better option is to terminate Brick ransomware by running an anti-malware tool that can check and detect these viruses running in the machine. Antivirus programs are the best for this because the malicious purpose of files and programs can be indicated for you.^[4] These detection names differ and show the particular payload dropper that caused the infection.

Focus on the cleaning and then rely on a program like FortectIntego that can find and fix virus damage. Since the threat affects processes and other features that can help to fight Brick ransomware, you need to repair them and fix the affected parts before adding files on the machine. Traces of the virus or affected functions can interfere with recovery or affect recovered data. For some additional restoring tips – check below. Brick ransomware locks your data and marks them using .brick appendix, so the ransom of at least $400 in Monero gets demanded.

Malicious files attached to spam emails and pirated software packages

Ransomware is one of many more stealthily threats that rely on silent techniques that allow the infiltration to happen in the background. The received malicious file can trigger the ransomware attack pretty quickly and you cannot notice neither the payload drop nor the file locking.

Spam emails that have malicious macro-filled documents can pose as legitimate notifications from companies like DHL, eBay, Amazon or different online shopping platforms. These types are chosen because order information, invoices, and other files related to financial details are commonly sent by such companies.

However, these files and data send out during pirated program installations can trigger the infiltration of direct cryptovirus or the malware that is designed to drop the ransomware executable file. Take this into consideration, stay away from pirating or torrent sites and delete any suspicious emails once you receive them.

Brick ransomware elimination requires attention and help from the proper system tools

Since Brick ransomware virus is a serious infection, you need professional anti-malware tools to fight the malware fully. The automatic method involving anti-malware programs saves you time because the tool during a full system scan finds all possibly associated and malicious files, programs, and potential intruders.

You need to go for this method of Brick ransomware removal because tools like SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes can find security issues and cyber threats, intruders that affect your time on the computer. You can enter the Safe Mode with Networking before scanning the machine with an AV tool to ensure the best results too. Below is the guide that shows how to do that.

When you remove Brick ransomware, you should be sure that there is no traces of malware before you go for file recovery. Anything left that is related to the virus can affect the performance and even trigger secondary encryption. You need to repair virus damage immediately after the termination. Use FortectIntego or a PC repair tool and make sure to check for damaged registry entries and system files.