How to remove Korea ransomware

Korea ransomware is one of many Dharma ransomware variants that came out in March 2019

Korea ransomware is a cryptovirus that uses AES encryption algorithm for locking victim's files and then marks encoded data by using .[omfg@420blaze.it].korea file extension. The ransomware typically affects documents, videos, images, archives or even files on external drives and clouds. Since this is one of many Dharma ransomware versions, a ransom message gets delivered in the form of HTML window right after the encryption process. Spotted, as usual, by Jakub Kroustek, Korea ransomware virus is not the only virus that became active in March. In the Twitter

, you can see that Dharma/Crysis virus developers release versions one after the other. This fact only makes the cryptovirus family more dangerous and persistent than before.^[1]

Name	Korea ransomware
Type	Cryptovirus
Family	Dharma ransomware
Versions before this one	.ETH ransomware; Heets ransomware; AYE ransomware; etc.
File extension	.[omfg@420blaze.it].korea
Encryption method	AES
Distribution	Spam email attachments
Removal tip	Use FortectIntego for system cleaning and remove Korea ransomware

Korea ransomware belongs to a notorious family known since 2016 that is still exceptionally active till this day.^[2] The particular feature of this family is the payment instructions delivered as a program window and no particular text file with the common ransom note.  

Many versions including Korea ransomware virus have a lengthy, specific file marker that gets added at the end of every encoded file. Once users' data gets changed and the original code altered, an extension with contact email address appears on each of them. 

Korea ransomware appears only slightly changed from previous versions as it is a common Dharma ransomware feature. When ransomware ends encryption process the following note appears on the screen automatically:

All your files have been encrypted! 
Security problem with your PC. If you want to restore your email address,
Write your ID:
e-mails:
You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. Write to us. After decrypt all your files. 
Free decryption as guarantee
Before paying for free decryption. Shouldn't be less than 1Mb (non archived) (databases, backups, large excel sheets, etc.)  
How to get Bitcoins 
site. You can buy, buy 'bitcoins', and select the seller by the method of price. 
https://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins  
Bitcoins and beginners guide here:  
http://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/  
Attention! 
Do not rename encrypted files. 
Do you want to make permanent data loss? 

Note that paying the ransom is not going to ensure that criminals will recover your encrypted files. You can only replace them using data backups or data recovery software. Experts^[3] note that cybercriminals care about getting money and profiting from victims. 

Based on the AV engines detection rate,^[4] Korea ransomware can be terminated with anti-malware tools. So get a reputable program and perform a full system scan. This way all associated files and program can get deleted entirely. Then, you only need to worry about your encoded data.

Make sure to remove Korea ransomware completely and run an additional system check. You can also use a different tool for that and guarantee that your PC is malware-free. Then you need to get your file backups and restore files or rely on software designed to restore data. 

We can recommend FortectIntego for Korea ransomware removal and a few other tools for file recovery that we list below the article. There is no need to be experienced PC user or have a degree in IT. You need to pay close attention and follow throughout the suggested steps that your anti-malware shows during the scan.

Malicious macros deliver the payload to the system directly

Spam email campaigns nowadays achieved another level of malicious and dangerous. Infected email attachments distribute malicious script of trojans or crypto malware including ransomware. The everyday user is not paying enough attention to those notifications so infection can spread further.

Unfortunately, file attachments pose as important financial information or documents regarding the delivery or shipment, banking reports or receipts. Because of this created feeling of legitimacy, people tend to open suspicious emails regardless, and ransomware can get on the machine.

Malicious macro viruses get triggered when the user enables the content of those file attachments and downloads the document on the computer. The only way to avoid this is by ignoring emails you are not expecting to get. And DO NOT DOWNLOAD any file attached to the email. 

Terminate Korea ransomware and eliminate virus damage by scanning the system with antivirus 

This is one of the most dangerous cyber threats because ransomware attacks involve altering system preferences and demanding money. To remove Korea ransomware from the machine alongside other intruders or infected files that virus may install without your permission, you need to clean the system fully. For that, you need to get professional tools like FortectIntego, SpyHunterCombo Cleaner, or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes. 

An automatic Korea ransomware removal is the best option since there might be tons of different files this virus downloads. Also, ransomware-type threats are known for altering registry entries, disabling security programs and changing system settings.