How to remove Hive ransomware

Hive ransomware uses encryption to lock users' files and pressures them into paying for decryption

Hive ransomware is a file-locking virus that infiltrated the system and uses encryption algorithms. Ransomware infections can be particularly devastating because they can result in permanent data loss. The encrypted photos, videos, documents, and databases are impossible to open, view or use in any way.

The affected files are appended with the .hive extension and a random character string. So if a file was previously named picture.jpg, after encryption it would look something like this – picture.4HFTudgrU2OEBCTcbNCFE1poiVePOzLgH7R54yuVCmI.hive.

Once the encryption process is completed, a ransom note HOW_TO_DECRYPT.txt is generated on the machine. The main goal of ransomware is to blackmail victims into paying money for a decryption tool so they could get their files back. However, cybercriminals cannot be trusted.

The ransom note

In the ransom note, cyber criminals explain what happened to users' personal files. They also state their demands. Threat actors want to be contacted through a chat on the provided website. They use scare tactics to pressure victims into contacting them as asap.

The full HOW_TO_DECRYPT.txt ransom note reads as follows:

Your network has been breached and all data is encrypted.

To decrypt all the data you will need to purchase our decryption software.
Please contact our sales department at:

hxxp://hivecust6vhekztbqgdnkks64ucehqacge3dij3gyrrpdp57zoq3ooqd.onion/

Login: –
Password: –

Follow the guidelines below to avoid losing your data:

– Do not shutdown or reboot your computers, unmount external storages.
– Do not try to decrypt data using third party software. It may cause irreversible damage.
– Do not fool yourself. Encryption has perfect secrecy and it's impossible to decrypt without knowing the key.
– Do not modify, rename or delete *.key.hive files. Your data will be undecryptable.
– Do not modify or rename encrypted files. You will lose them.
– Do not report to authorities. The negotiation process will be terminated immediately and the key will be erased.
– Do not reject to purchase. Your sensitive data will be publicly disclosed at hxxp://hiveleakdbtnp76ulyhi52eag6c6tyc3xw7ez7iqy6wc34gd2nekazyd.onion/

The ransom amount is not specified in the message, which means it should be negotiated privately. Ransomware developers also threaten to leak the data if no contact is established. We do not recommend paying the ransom. Usually, they want it to be paid in cryptocurrencies because it provides anonymity.

However, it is very risky for users. Once you send a cryptocurrency transaction to another wallet, it is impossible to get the funds back. Many previous ransomware attack victims say that they never received the promised decryption tools after sending the payment.

Distribution methods

Most of the time, ransomware infections happen because users fail to follow security experts' guidelines. People browse through Torrent websites, and peer-to-peer file-sharing platforms looking for “cracked” software.^[1] These platforms are unregulated so they are the perfect breeding ground for all kinds of malware.

We recommend using official web stores and developer websites. Even though it might get costly, you may save in the long run by keeping your system running smoothly. Besides, there are plenty of free apps to choose from so you should find something that suits your needs.

Another common infection channel is email. Cybercriminals use social engineering methods to create letters that look like urgent messages from well-known companies to appear trustworthy. They include malicious links or infected attachments. That is why you should never open email attachments from someone you do not know.

Many people overlook the importance of keeping the operating system and software updated. Hackers can use software vulnerabilities to deliver their malicious programs. Software developers regularly release security patches for this purpose. Install them to avoid security breaches.

Use professional security tools to eliminate ransomware

The critical thing to do is disconnect the affected machine from the local network. For home users, disconnecting the ethernet cable should do the job. If this happened at your workplace, doing that might be complicated, so we have instructions for corporate environments at the bottom of this post.

If you try to recover your data first, it can result in permanent loss. It can also encrypt your files the second time. It will not stop until you remove the malicious files causing it first. You should not attempt removing the malicious program yourself unless you have experience.

Use anti-malware tools like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes to scan your system. This security software should find all the related files and entries and remove them automatically for you. In some cases, malware is not letting you use antivirus in normal mode, so you need to access Safe Mode and perform a full system scan from there:

Windows 7 / Vista / XP

1. Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing the 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.
3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.

Windows 10 / Windows 8

1. Right-click on the Start button and select Settings.
   
2. Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
3. On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
4. Now scroll down to find the Advanced Startup section.
5. Click Restart now.
6. Select Troubleshoot.
7. Go to Advanced options.
8. Select Startup Settings.
9. Click Restart.
10. Press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.

Fix system errors

Performance, stability, and usability issues, to the point where a complete Windows reinstall is required, are expected after a malware infection. These types of infections can alter the Windows registry database, damage vital bootup, and other sections, delete or corrupt DLL files, etc. Once a system file is damaged by malware, antivirus software is not able to repair it. 

This is why FortectIntego was developed. It can fix a lot of the damage caused by an infection like this. Blue Screen errors,^[2] freezes, registry errors, damaged DLLs, etc., can make your computer completely unusable. By using this maintenance tool, you could avoid Windows reinstallation.

• Download the application by clicking on the link above
• Click on the ReimageRepair.exe
  
• If User Account Control (UAC) shows up, select Yes
• Press Install and wait till the program finishes the installation process
• The analysis of your machine will begin immediately
• Once complete, check the results – they will be listed in the Summary
• You can now click on each of the issues and fix them manually
• If you see many problems that you find difficult to fix, we recommend you purchase the license and fix them automatically.

File recovery software

Many people think that they can fix their files with anti-malware tools, but that is not what they are designed for. All the security tools can do is detect suspicious processes in your system and eliminate malicious files. The truth is, the files can be restored only with a decryption key^[3] or software that only the cybercriminals have.

If you did not back up your data previously, you possibly lost your files forever. You can try using data recovery software, but third-party programs cannot always decrypt the files. We suggest at least trying this method. Before proceeding, you have to copy the corrupted files and place them in a USB flash drive or another storage. And remember – only do this if you have already removed the Hive ransomware.

Before you begin, several pointers are essential while dealing with this situation:

• Since the encrypted data on your computer might permanently be damaged by security or data recovery software, you should first make backups of it – use a USB flash drive or another storage.
• Only attempt to recover your files using this method after you perform a scan with anti-malware software.

Install data recovery software

1. Download Data Recovery Pro.
2. Double-click the installer to launch it.
3. Follow on-screen instructions to install the software.
4. As soon as you press Finish, you can use the app.
5. Select Everything or pick individual folders where you want the files to be recovered from.
6. Press Next.
7. At the bottom, enable Deep scan and pick which Disks you want to be scanned.
8. Press Scan and wait till it is complete.
9. You can now pick which folders/files to recover – don't forget you also have the option to search by the file name!
10. Press Recover to retrieve your files.