HiddenBeer ransomware (Free Guide) - Decryption Methods Included
HiddenBeer virus Removal Guide
What is HiddenBeer ransomware?
HiddenBeer ransomware is a HiddenTear-based cryptovirus that demands $100 ransom
HiddenBeer is a malicious ransomware that encrypts victim's data and demands $100 for its decryption. This threat is based on HiddenTear[1] and adds .beer file extension. After the successful data-locking process, it generates the ransom note and places the message in a text file called FILES-HELP-[computer's name].TXT. The message is written in English and states about @FILE-DECRYPTER.exe file that is responsible for running a file decrypter needed to recover locked files. HiddenBeer ransomware emerged in October 2018, so there is no information on how many users have already been affected. However, the recovery after the attack is not an easy task as the threat is using a sophisticated encryption algorithm to lock your files immediately after getting on the system.
| Name | HiddenBeer |
|---|---|
| Type | Ransomware |
| File extension | .beer |
| Ransom amount | $100 in BTC |
| Ransom note | Named in a pattern FILES-HELP-[USER'S PC NAME].TXT |
| Encryption method | AES |
| Contact email | tr0ning@protonmail.com |
| Elimination | Use FortectIntego for HiddenBeer ransomware removal |
HiddenBeer is typical ransomware which locks photos, videos, documents, and even archives or databases to extort cryptocurrency. The ransomware attack starts when a malicious payload is downloaded to the system, and the device becomes infected. Malware then scans your computer and finds files for the encoding process. Additionally, the ransomware employs AES encryption method to perform a quick file-locking procedure which makes the affected data useless. The virus marks each file using .beer file extension and generates ransom note in a text file.
HiddenBeer ransomware ransom message is placed on every folder on the system. The text file reads the following:
<HIDDENBEER!!>
Your files is have Been encrypted. Why have they been encrypted? To help ensure your security. Them decrypted the get the To by Our Specialists, just the send $ 100 of the Bitcoin worth the (The BTC), to:33Lf7BrDXwNBMM4ZVg5dMQg1Bvuwzd1VQm
The send a Email afterwards to ” tr0ning@protonmail.com ” with your computer name and transaction data.
Name Computer: HAPUBWS-the PC
Once you have your decryption key, the Use IT in the file decrypter.
IT is not the if the open, the go to your Desktop and the run “@ the FILE-DECRYPTER.exe”
As many other crypto-extortion based threats, HiddenBeer ransomware demands for a ransom in Bitcoin equivalent to 100$. However, paying the ransom is not the best solution for getting your files back. It is better to remove the virus and then focus on data recovery using your backups or specially designed software.
Many researchers[2] advise avoiding the contact with ransomware developers because paying the ransom may lead to more severe damage to the system or even privacy issues and data or money loss.
Remove HiddenBeer ransomware using your antivirus or employ tools like FortectIntego to get rid of the threat completely. A full system scan is crucial when it comes to ransomware elimination because there is a possibility that registry changes and additional files were added by virus developers to make sure the virus is persistent and hard to terminate.
HiddenBeer ransomware removal should be performed before trying to recover files encrypted by the threat. The easiest way to perform this process is by using backups. However, if you don't have these extra copies saved on devices that the ransomware hasn't reached, you should check data recovery methods listed below the article.
Ransomware payload is hidden on safe-looking file attachments
Spam email is the most common technique used to spread ransomware and similar malware around the globe. It is quick and easy because tons of people get emails every day and users tend to open suspicious ones without paying enough attention to details.
Such emails may look as:
- order information from services;
- invoices from companies;
- official emails from government institutions.
Unfortunately, legitimate-looking MS Word or Excel file attachments may be filled with malicious macros[3] and spread all kinds of intruders on the system including the direct ransomware script. You should pay more attention to senders' name, email subject line and grammar mistakes or other misconnections between the email and file attachment. Try scanning the file before downloading on the computer.
HiddenBeer ransomware termination should be done using anti-malware tools
You need to employ reputable anti-malware tools to remove HiddenBeer ransomware from the system safely. While testing the threat, we used FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes that should perform the job perfectly. A full system scan with the help of these anti-malware tools will help you indicate malicious files, vulnerabilities or corrupted files that cannot be found manually.
Once you take care of HiddenBeer ransomware removal, move on to recovering your encrypted files. If you can't launch the scanner to get rid of malware files, you should reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Networking to disable the malware. Follow our guidelines if you don't know how to boot into this mode before you try any of the data recovery methods.
Getting rid of HiddenBeer virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
Reboot your device in the Safe Mode with networking to make sure the threat can be disabled properly:
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 HiddenBeer using System Restore
Use System Restore feature to remove HiddenBeer ransomware from the computer:
-
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.
-
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 HiddenBeer. After doing that, click Next.
-
Now click Yes to start system restore.
-
Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
Bonus: Recover your data
Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove HiddenBeer 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 HiddenBeer, you can use several methods to restore them:
If your data is not properly backed use Data Recovery Pro to restore lost files
A great alternative for data backup when dealing with deleted or encrypted data is Data Recovery Pro
- 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 HiddenBeer ransomware;
- Restore them.
Use Windows Previous versions as yet another feature to restore lost files
If System Restore was enabled before you can use Windows Previous Versions to recover encoded data
- 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 is a great alternative for file backups
If HiddenBeer ransomware left Shadow Volume Copies, you could try to recover files using 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.
Decryption tool is not available
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from HiddenBeer and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting ransomware
Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool
Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online. One of the basic means to add a layer of security – choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features. However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN – it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.
Lost your files? Use data recovery software
While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable. Family photos, work documents, school projects – these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur: power cuts, Blue Screen of Death errors, hardware failures, crypto-malware attack, or even accidental deletion.
To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, Data Recovery Pro can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.
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- ^ Ransomware recap: the ongoing development of Hidden Tear variants. Trendmicro. Enterprise cybersecurity solutions.
- ^ Dieviren. Dieviren. Spyware related news.
- ^ Tara Seals. Microsoft macro remain top vector for malware delivery. Threatpost. The first stop for security news.