How to remove Exorcist ransomware

Exorcist ransomware – file locking malware that avoids infecting users from Commonwealth of Independent States

Exorcist ransomware is a type of malware that specializes in money extortion techniques by locking all victims' videos, pictures, music, documents, and other data. The virus uses a sophisticated encryption algorithm for the process – it also appends a randomized file extension to each of the files, preventing access to them. Malicious actors behind the Exorcist file virus also leave a ransom note “[random]-decrypt.hta,” where it is claimed that users have to pay a ransom in order to recover their files.

Exorcist ransomware authors do not provide an email as most other cybercriminals do, but instead ask users to access a specially-crafted website, where victims need to enter the authorization key to proceed further and make a payment in Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency to retrieve Exorcist ransomware file decryptor. However, users are not recommended following these instructions, as there is no guarantee that the attackers will deliver what they promised.

Exorcist ransomware was first spotted in the second half of July 2020 by security research group MalwareHunterTeam.^[1] While there is not much known about this computer infection yet, there have been several victims that were infected already, and security researchers claim that this malware is more complex and sophisticated than most other computer threats of such kind.

Despite the malware being very new, several details emerged about it already. One of the most distinctive features of Exorcist ransomware is that it first checks the keyboard layout of the host computer. In case a potential victim is from one of the countries that belong to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)^[2] intergovernmental organization, it will exit the machine without infecting it.

This technique is very common and practiced by many cybercriminals who most likely perform their illegal operations from countries that belong to CIS. This way, they ensure that local law authorities will not begin investigation and shit down the illegal business for good. Good examples of malware that engage in keyboard checks include Avaddon, Nefilim, REvil, GandCrab, Anatova, and many others.

Since Exorcist ransomware has not yet been investigated thoroughly and very few victims exist so far, there is no information on how malware spreads. However, most ransomware developers choose several distribution methods in order to make it more effective. These techniques include:

• Spam email attachments and embedded hyperlinks
• Software cracks/loaders/keygens^[3] and repacked installers
• Software vulnerabilities and exploit kits
• Poorly protected RDP connections
• Malicious advertisements and JavaScripts, etc.

Once Exorcist file virus gains access to the machine (after performing keyboard layout checks), it begins to prepare Windows for data encryption: modifies the Windows registry for persistence, drops thousands of malicious files, establishes background HTTP connections, and much more. These changes might sometimes remain on the system after Exorcist ransomware removal, so we suggest using FortectIntego when attempting to fix them.

As soon as the system is ready, Exorcist ransomware begins the file encryption process. During this time, malware scans the machine for most commonly used file types (PDF, MS Office documents, archives, image files, databases, etc.). It then locks them with a robust encryption algorithm. It is yet unknown if the virus uses a symmetric or asymmetric algorithm^[4] for the purpose.

Data locking process is performed almost instantaneously, and victims are then presented with a ransom note – a pop-up windows that reads:

[random] Decrypt

All your data has been encrypted with Exorcist Ransomware.
Do not worry: you have some hours to contact us and decrypt your data by paying a ransom.
To do this, follow instructions on this web site: http://217.8.117.26/pay
Also, you can install Tor Browser and use this web site: http://4dnd3utjsmm2zcsb.onion/pay

IMPORTANT: Do not modify this file, otherwise you will not be able to recover your data!

Your authorization key:

We suggest you do not pay cybercriminals, as there is no guarantee that they will deliver the promised decryption tool, which would help you recover Exorcist ransomware files. Since malware strain is new, decryption software might not even work for you, and you might lose files and money. Nonetheless, if you had no backups ready, paying cybercriminals might be the only choice, although there are a few methods that might help your retrieve at least some portion of the data.

If you choose not to pay criminals, you should copy all the encrypted files, remove Exorcist ransomware from your machine and only then attempt data recovery. To eliminate the infection, use powerful anti-malware software and then perform actions as described in our recovery section below – you might be lucky and retrieve data for free.

Remove Exorcist ransomware and attempt to recover your files

Since there are several ways how Exorcist virus might gain access to your computer, you should ensure that you secure your computer in order to repel future malware attacks. For example, it is very important to equip your machine with powerful anti-malware software that would detect unauthorized intrusions and terminate them before they can cause any harm. Additionally, you should also keep your system updated, avoid potentially dangerous websites, and backup your most important data on a separate medium.

However, you should not focus on Exorcist ransomware removal and file recovery methods. As previously mentioned, the data recovery process can be relatively difficult, as sophisticated encryption algorithms such as RSA are secure, and even the most powerful computers cannot decipher them. Since paying cybercriminals is dangerous, you should instead use alternative solutions for file recovery we provide below. Don't forget you should delete Exorcist ransomware payload with the help of a powerful anti-malware tool prior to that.