How to remove Karmen ransomware virus

Karmen ransomware is still active in summer 2017

Karmen is a virus that is the base of Mordor ransomware, which was itself created using HiddenTear^[1] source code^[2]. When inside the system, it appends .grt file extensions to the encrypted data. For blocking the files stored on a target computer, it uses AES (an old name Rijndael)^[3] encryption method.

After encrypting all files with target file extensions, Karmen triggers a window called Karmen Decrypter which provides two buttons – DE and ENG to help the victim find the language that he or she understands.

However, you should try HiddenTear decryptor to unlock your files if you found them locked by Karmen ransomware. Before that, make sure you remove this virus from your computer with all its files. 

The appearance of this ransomware proofs that the concept of educational ransomware is wrong from every point of view^[4]. Such projects only allow amateur hackers use someone else’s code, make slight alterations to it and create a customized copy of an extortion tool. The Karmen Decrypter window provides such information:

Files encrypted

All files are encrypted! Please follow the mind. In order to get the key to decrypt send this amount to our wallet Bitcoin.
Decrypt files automatically.
Interference with the program – can leave you without files.

It is important to understand that this tool is harmful. Keep in mind that, no matter how promising the words of cyber criminals look, there is no guarantee that they will decrypt your files after receiving the money.^[5] Besides, by paying them, you would simply fund their future ransomware projects and inspire them to improve and create even more ransomware viruses.

Our team recommends you to remove Karmen virus and its decryptor with FortectIntego software. We do not recommend using manual removal option because we believe that the entire ransomware removal process is too complicated and that no one except IT experts should try to delete such malicious programs manually. 

Karmen ransomware variants

The discussed virus is also available as a ransomware-as-a-service. Cyber security experts spotted it on the dark web forums – it seems that a Russian hacker who calls himself DevBitox offers this ransomware as an extortion tool. The ransomware was suggested as a fully functional ransom-demanding virus that encrypts files using the AES-256 algorithm. It didn't take long for customized versions to emerge:

3301 ransomware virus. The ransomware emerged on August 5th, 2017. It appends .3301 file extension to every file it encrypts on the target system. It is believed that the ransomware uses such file-marking technique to make them more recognizable to the victim and make one realize how many files were corrupted. Just like any other ransomware, the 3301 virus leaves a message with a ransom demand – DECRYPT_MY_FILES.html file. This file is saved on a desktop; however, copies of it can be found in almost every computer folder.

The ransomware drops ID.TXT file on the desktop and asks the victim to use the victim's ID that is stored in the file in order to log into personal payment website. This website is accessible via Tor browser only. It goes without saying that the virus demands a ransom paid in Bitcoins in exchange for data decryption tools, although it gives no guarantees regarding data decryption. For this reason, cybersecurity experts do not recommend paying a ransom to 3301 virus' authors. Instead, they suggest removing the virus ASAP.

Methods used to spread ransomware worldwide

Karmen ransomware spreads with the help of malicious email messages that can arrive to your Inbox in a form of a convincing letter from someone you do not know. Such emails can be composed to look very professional, for example, filled with logos of legitimate companies, such as Paypal or Amazon.

They might also arrive in a form of a resume from someone who wants to get a job in your company or an invoice. Such emails carry one or a few attachments – these can be Word documents, archives, or JavaScript files. We suggest you stay away from files sent by unknown individuals, and also do not open letters from known companies if you had no business with them lately.

If you are unsure about the email, look at the sender’s email address to check whether it looks legitimate. If you wish, you can enter it into any search engine and look for information about the sender. If you cannot find any results associated with the company that the sender claims to be working at, better do not open any files or links included in the email.

Finally, ransomware can sneak into your computer system with a help of exploit kits or malvertising attacks, but VirusActivity experts^[6] do not believe that Karmen virus is distributed using these techniques yet.

Remove Karmen virus and recover corrupted files

At the moment, your operating system is in grave danger thanks to Karmen virus attack. If you want to secure it, we highly recommend you to remove Karmen ransomware using anti-malware tool. Once you do that, scroll down to see what data recovery options are out there. One of them might help you to recover files that are inaccessible right now (the ones with .grt file extensions). Before you run your anti-spyware or anti-malware software, reboot your PC using Karmen removal guidelines provided down below.