IMI ransomware: what it is and how to remove it

From our report of Jan 2020 · not reviewed since

More from our earlier report on IMI ransomware

• You should remove IMI ransomware as soon as you can and rely on anti-malware tools that can detect malicious-behavior and delete dangerous programs from the machine fully
• Since files in various places get affected by the threat, you need an additional system scan with or a similar PC tool.
• Software like this can find and possibly restore damaged data in system folders

From our report of Jan 2020 · not reviewed since

IMI ransomware is the cryptovirus that encrypts data and keeps files inaccessible until the ransom is paid

IMI ransomware - the virus that comes from a dangerous strain of crypto-extortion based malware.

This Dharma ransomware version gets its name from the file appendix that appears at the end of each encoded file - .id-victims' ID.[imdecrypt@aol.com].IMI. Once the system is infiltrated, and photos, documents, other types of data get the marker, the ransom is demanded from victims.

As typical for this ransomware family, the program window appears on the screen that contains a general message about ransomware encryption and further actions. However, cybercriminals responsible for the malware distribution lists, paying the ransom as the only solution for you.

Sending Bitcoins or even contacting IMI ransomware virus developers via the imdecrypt@aol.com email provided on ransom note FILES ENCRYPTED.txt and other files posted on the Desktop is not safe. This is the family of malware that Jakub Kroustek is researching for a while already.

He is the one that reports about new versions, like IMI and Bitx that came out one after the other. The price for your file recovery can go high as a few thousand dollars for the alleged decryption key, so stay away from even thinking about such a solution.

IMI ransomware is the typical version of Dharma/ CrySis virus because particular features like ransom demanding message, program window with general instructions, and the appendix pattern involving ID, contact email are the same. The family is known for changing little things about each version and releasing threats into the wild at least once a month for almost four years now.

The encryption is a process that starts immediately after the initial IMI files virus infiltration and begins with checking the system for particular types of files that can be encoded. Photos, videos, audio files, and documents get changed and locked from the access, so ransomware creators have a reason for blackmail.

Once data gets encrypted, the ransom note appears on the screen. The program window is showing brief payment and cryptocurrency purchasing instructions, but the text file FILES ENCRYPTED.txt displays unique contact. The message from IMI ransomware creators reads the following:

Even though the official decryption tool for the threat is not developed yet, you can store virus-related files and hope that such software is going to be released soon. Paying cannot give you any positive results, so remove IMI ransomware instead and restore encrypted files using other methods.

You should ignore any messages from these criminals and all the claims that paying is the only option to get your files back. IMI ransomware removal is a process that requires attention and professional anti-malware tools because threats like ransomware inject various files in different system places to ensure the persistence and damage the PC permanently.

There is nothing harmless about threats like IMI ransomware that focus on getting peoples' money by damaging their belongings. These malicious people don't care for your files and value of the data, devices, so there is no reason to contact them and hoping for mercy. If you don't want to pay the ransom, you shouldn't write or try to reach malicious actors.

When people write emails to criminals, they can send victims more malicious files and direct malware designed to steal information from the machine or damage the computer once and for all. When you encounter IMI ransomware and receive the ransom note, you should take immediate action and try to eliminate the threat as soon as possible.

Experts always talk about risks and danger behind the content that IMI ransomware can load in system folders and other places like Windows Registry.

The more time you give for these people that managed to infect your machine, the more corrupted your device gets, and the more help it needs. When IMI ransomware is done with encryption, it goes through system functions, disables security features and applications, so you cannot easily remove the threat nor recover affected files.

Since IMI ransomware virus disables security functions, installs other malicious programs and changes system settings behind your back, you should run the machine in Safe Mode with Networking and then employ an anti-malware tool that can detect malicious behavior-based programs and files, clean the machine from malware.

From our report of Jan 2020 · not reviewed since

Cryptovirus infiltration methods and possible ways to avoid such infection

Cyber intruders all use deceptive techniques that help to trick people into installing the malicious script.

Unfortunately, the more dangerous threats use silent methods that allow them to get on the machine and affect the system silently. Blackmail-based malware like this mainly relies on spam email campaigns that use names of common and popular companies, services to hide their own products, and malicious purposes of email notifications.

When the email is received and opened, it shows either a hyperlink and deceptive message or includes the common type of file attached. In most cases, such documents have malicious macros embedded on the file or hyperlinks trigger the download of a payload dropper automatically.

The best way to rely on is being suspicious. Anything that raises questions should be considered potentially dangerous and inspected further. Look out for grammar mistakes or typos on such emails or simply delete any message that you didn't expect to get. Clean the email box more often to avoid anything dangerous landing on the system.

From our report of Jan 2020 · not reviewed since

Ensure that IMI ransomware virus is terminated before any files recovery

You need to note that the IMI ransomware virus is the malicious program capable of damaging the machine significantly and quickly.

This is a powerful virus that can achieve anything in a short time, even though the virus tends to delete itself from the system after the encryption.

IMI ransomware removal is crucial for the state of the device even though the core files are no longer in the machine. Any data associated with this intruder can trigger additional encryption processes or damage functions, third-party applications. Eliminate the ransomware as soon as you notice encrypted files.

When the victim reacts as soon as possible, it is easier to remove IMI ransomware because not much gets changed besides those encrypted files. You can download or and run the full scan on the machine to terminate malicious processes completely. Then files can get recovered on the safe and malware-free computer.

[GI=method-1]Go through your system and remove IMI ransomware by rebooting the machine in Safe Mode with Networking

[GI=method-2]System Restore feature can help with malware and virus damage when you repair the machine in a previous state

You can recover files encrypted by IMI ransomware virus or data that got accidentally deleted

Windows Previous Versions is the feature designed to recover files

When System Restore is enabled, you can use Windows Previous Versions and get your files repaired

ShadowExplorer is the feature making files accessible again

Shadow Volume Copies need to be untouched for this method to work properly, so make sure that IMI ransomware is not affecting those before you rely on ShadowExplorer

Decryption tool for IMI is not developed yet

IMI ransomware encoded files cannot be decrypted, but you should wait for the proper decryption software release or search for Dharma decryptor