How to remove Katyusha ransomware

Katyusha ransomware is a cryptovirus that demands 0.5 in BTC for recovering files marked with .katyusha appendix 

Katyusha ransomware — a dangerous cryptovirus designed to encrypt users' files to make them useless and additionally extort their money. The ransom note _how_to_decrypt_you_files.txt, which is saved in every folder with the encrypted data, claims that payment to recover encrypted data should be sent within three days. However, the victim is offered to test the decryption service by sending two small files to cybercriminals. No matter how tempting this offer seems, you shouldn't contact these people because you can be scammed. Better get rid of the ransomware virus right after you find .katyusha file extensions appended to your images, videos, documents and similar data. Next, initiate files' recovery process by using their backups.

Katyusha files virus is not a product from hackers who are willing to reveal all the details about the initial attack. There is no information which encryption^[1] algorithm used by this threat, but there is a high possibility that the ransomware is using AES or RSA encryption algorithms to block victim's access to the most used files.

After locking the target data, Katyusha ransomware creates the special identification key which should be later used for decryption. You can't guess this code or find it on your computer as in most of the cases it is saved on the C&C serves that belong to hackers. 

Additionally, Katyusha ransomware generates a ransom note that reads the following:

=====================================HOW TO DECRYPT YOU FILES====================================

All your documents, photos, databases and other important personal files were encrypted!!
Please send 0.5 bitcoins to my wallet address: 3ALmvAWLEothnMF5BjckAFaKB5S6zan9PK
If you paid, send the ID and IDKEY to my email: kts2018@protonmail.com
I will give you the key and tool
If there is no payment within three days
we will no longer support decryption
If you exceed the payment time, your data will be open to the public download
We support decrypting the test file.
Send two small than 2 MB files to the email address: kts2018@protonmail.com

Your ID:[redacted 8 numbers]
Your IDKEY:
================================================================================
[redacted 0x100 bytes in base64]

================================================================================

Payment site https://www.bithumb.com/
Payment site http://www.coinone.com/
Payment site https://www.gopax.co.kr/
Payment site http://www.localbitcoins.com/

Officail Mail:kts2018@protonmail.com

Paying the demanded ransom is not recommended, just like contacting people behind the threat. If you believe that the virus has already affected your Windows machine, focus on virus elimination first. The easiest way to recover files encrypted by Katyusha is using their backups. If you haven't been saving extra copies of your most important files, try one of the few methods for file recovery that are presented below. 

Remember that ransomware can also affect newly added files on the device. Encryption does not stop until you remove Katyusha ransomware from the system. Only then you can recover your data from the cloud or insert an external device with your extra copies.

In the future, keep your files save by keeping them in three different locations, e.g., your computer, an external USB drive, a backup service online.^[2] This method ensures that you still have at least one copy of your data safe.

Various researchers^[3] explain that the ransomware may alter Windows registry by adding new entries or modifying the existing registry entries. By doing so, hackers are willing to ensure that their malware is launched upon the PC's reboot. That's why we highly recommend avoiding manual Katyusha ransomware removal that requires fixing the computer's registry and similar locations. 

If you need a recommended tool to perform this procedure, use a reputable anti-malware software like FortectIntego or SpyHunterCombo Cleaner. It will clean your device thoroughly before any data recovery attempt. You can use other programs of your choice, just make sure they are reputable and that you are using their latest versions having the full virus data base.

Spam email campaigns have been actively used to distribute viruses like this one

People tend to believe that spam emails are only scamming technique. However, the truth is that they have also been used to distribute serious malware. Spam email attachments often contain malicious executables that are used to launch ransomware payload right after getting into the system.

You cannot be sure that email that goes to your main box instead of spam is fully legitimate. The only way to know that is if you recognize the sender, you know the purpose of this email or you have waited to get this message. If there is no reason to get the email, there is a possibility it is infected.

You can avoid this unfortunate infiltration if you clean your email box more often and pay more attention to processes happening on the device. For example, you can scan the document or different file before downloading that on your computer directly. You also need to think twice when you see “order information” as the subject line of the email because hackers can misuse various company names.

Katyusha ransomware removal should be performed immediately after noticing changes in the files' names

There is no guarantee that virus developers will decrypt your files after you pay the ransom. Don't fall for their claims and contact them via the given email address kts2018@protonmail.com. The best option is to remove Katyusha ransomware from the system without postponing this procedure to prevent its second encryption in the future. Then, proceed with data recovery.

Any additional files or programs that came alongside Katyusha ransomware virus need to be eliminated as well. That's why we don't recommend deleting this malware manually. Besides, you need to get rid of malicious registry keys and also reset your PC system to a default to prevent ransomware's reappearance.

The best tool in Katyusha ransomware removal is anti-malware programs like FortectIntego, SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes. They will help you detect malware and other possible intruders. Run a full system scan and eliminates them all to improve the performance of your system. If you are blocked, enter the Safe Mode with Networking at first. Follow your suggestions below.