Ekati ransomware (Virus Removal Guide) - Bonus: Decryption Steps

What is Ekati ransomware?

Ekati ransomware is the demonstration malware that shows how the encryption processes and ransomware attack works

Ekati ransomware is the virus that encodes data for the purpose of blackmailing. Ekati ransomware is the crypto demonstration that displays the message with a link to the decryption tool. The message.html appears on the desktop and provides the victim information on encryption, time left to pay up, and the action button that reroutes straight to decryption tool. Since this is not real ransomware, only a testing tool it doesn't encrypt any files, but supposedly uses AES encryption algorithm and marks affected files with either .encrypt or .encrypted file appendix. The encryption process is a particular reason making people more eager to pay the demanded ransom. However, no matter how scary the message is, you should never consider paying these criminals that create threats like ransomware. There are no reasons to trust them and believe that your data will get restored after the payment transfer.

Ekati ransomware is the demonstrational tool that shows how virus encrypts data using the AES algorithm and then displays the ransom-free message that has a link to possible decryption. During the test, encryption was not added, but it may mark affected files using .encrypt or .encrypted extensions.

If the Ekati ransomware virus acts as the proper cryptocurrency-extortion based threat, it shows email, buyback message, or may have few versions, get updates. It was spotted in the second half of February, but later on, researchers confirmed that this is a demo tool from malware experts, not the criminal-made threat.

Ekati ransomware reveals details about encryption on the program window that displays a countdown for the time left to pay and informs victim about the encryption process with the following text:

Your computer has been encrypted
The hard disks of your computer have been encrypted with a military grade encryption algorithm. It is impossible to recover your data without a special key.
This page will help you with the purchase of this key and the complete decryption of your computers.
Time left: 2d 23h 59m 56s
Click here to start the decryption process

Ekati ransomware loads additional files on the machine besides this direct message for victims: ekati.exe, ekati6482.exe, redback.jpg. Also, various registry entries and executed commands appear on the machine. Besides the encryption process, ransomware can affect and even damage your computer significantly. Ekati ransomware is the cryptovirus that is found as dangerous by AV tools and anti-malware programs. Typical ransomware threats can easily change and read settings of system configuration, self-start on the machine, change settings of the internet, or read internet cache, steal passwords from web browsers, and other applications. You should remove Ekati ransomware if it is running as proper malware. If that happens, the virus can change network settings, disconnect firewall, and use PowerShell commands, evade detection, start other functions and processes.

Ekati ransomware removal is needed when you can be sure that anti-malware tools detect^[2] the threat and find possible malicious activities on the system. Such anti-malware programs can indicate the threats and clean them off of the machine for you without causing additional damage.

Of course, for files affected by the encryption processes, you need either the official Ekati ransomware decryption tool or reliable data backups. AV tools can only remove the virus from your device, for malware damage and encoded files, you need to get another program or rely on a different method.

As for Ekati ransomware virus damage, you can repair those registries, system files, and similar parts of the device with a professional system optimizer or cleaner tool like FortectIntego. This is how you ensure that the virus is not going to damage the system further. As for decryption and file recovery – go to the bottom of the guide where additional data restoring features are listed. Ekati ransomware - a virus that marks files with .encrypted or .encrypt after locking procedure.

The payload of malware gets dropped from malspam and software packages

Malicious script for ransomware can get initiated via payload dropper – the particular virus that is designed to infiltrate cryptovirus on the machine as a secondary payload. A virus can also get distributed with the help of spam email campaigns,^[3] during which script is hidden of the malware as files attached to legitimate-looking email notifications.

Such emails may pose as financial information from services, shopping sites, other pages, shipping companies, so you don't bat an eye when you see order information, confirmation, or invoice files attached. However, those Microsoft files contain malicious macros, the parts that once enabled triggers the drop of the malware.

To avoid these instances, you should pay close attention to details, senders of those emails, and red flags like grammar mistakes, typos, or suspicious links, company names, and services. Delete any emails that create suspicion for you or notifications that you haven't expected to get.

Clean the machine from traces of malware and Ekati ransomware

You may not get affected by this Ekati ransomware virus since it is not a particular malware that gets delivered on targeted devices. However, you should know how to get rid of the cryptovirus if you ever encounter anything like this.

The first thing that you need to note is that Ekati ransomware removal cannot happen manually. The virus is a persistent threat that can renew its services and even encrypt files the second time or run additional processes. When the machine gets scanned using SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes various malware-related applications and files can get detected and eliminated from the machine fully.

When you remove Ekati ransomware this way, you can be sure that the machine has been properly cleaned. Unfortunately, for other places that malware affects, you need FortectIntego because this system repair tool can find and fix ransomware affected entries, system functions, and so on.