How to remove RobbinHood ransomware

RobbinHood ransomware is file locking malware that cost Baltimore city $4.6 million in recovery costs

RobbinHood ransomware is crypto-extortion based malware that mainly targets large scale corporations and municipalities, encrypting entire networks that are connected to the initial host. Baltimore, as well as Greenville cities, both suffered significant losses due to ransomware attack – hackers initially demanded $76,000 in Bitcoin, claiming that the fee will increase by $10,000 each day.^[1] While no ransom was paid, Baltimore put in a staggering $4.6 million in recovery costs, with $5.4 still pending to be invested till the end of the year.

Initially, it was unknown how RobbinHood ransomware spreads, but later experts found out that hackers either proliferate file locking virus via already infected computer or via insecure Remote Desktop connections – a technique that had been gaining popularity in recent years among ransomware developers.

After encrypting files with the RSA + AES encryption algorithms and appending Encrypted_[random 16].Enc_robbinhood extension to files,^[2] RobbinHood virus developers demand the ransom payment for the recovery of locked data. The ransom is either 0.8 BTC or 13 BTC, depending on the number of affected devices. Unlike most ransomware viruses, RobbinHood drops four ransom notes under the following names:

• note _Decryption_ReadMe.html
• _Help_Important.html
• _Decrypt_Files.html
• _Help_Help_Help.html

Since RobbinHood ransomware is a member of the cryptovirus category, you should be aware of the possible damage for encrypted data or even privacy issues and data or money loss. Especially, if you decide to pay the ransom and contact these virus developers.^[3]

While RobbinHood ransomware virus mainly targets large organizations or even governments, health industries, and institutions,^[4] it does not mean that home users are safe from this infection. Be aware that malware authors could use various infection means, so the target machine could be selected completely randomly.

RobbinHood ransomware besides the file encryption can:

• install programs, files;
• disable processes and other functions;
• run additional malicious processes;
• alter registry keys or add new ones;
• steal information stored on the machine;
• delete or damage files.

However, the main symptom of this RobbinHood ransomware is data encryption and ransom demand. The changed name can indicate data that got encoded. Once files get unreachable and locked, the ransom note – _Decryption_ReadMe.html delivers the following message:

What happened to your files? 
All your files are encrypted with RSA-4096, the Read more on

Wikipedia · EN

RSA cryptosystem

The RSA (Rivest–Shamir–Adleman) cryptosystem is a family of public-key cryptosystems, widely used for secure data transmission. The initialism "RSA" comes from the surnames of Ron Rivest, Adi Shamir and Leonard Adleman, who publicly described the algorithm in 1977. An equivalent system was developed secretly in 1973 at Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), the British signals intelligence agency, by the English mathematician Clifford Cocks. That system was declassified in 1997.

Read on Wikipedia →

the RSA is an algorithm Used by modern computers to the encrypt and decrypt the data the. RSA is an asymmetric cryptographic algorithm. Asymmetric means that there are two different keys. This is also called public key cryptography, because one of the keys can be given to anyone: 
1 – We encrypted your files with our ”  Public key” 
2 – You can decrypt, the encrypted files with specific “Private key” and your private key Our phone hands in is (It's not Possible to recover your files is the private key without Our) 
— 
is Possible IT to the get back your data?
Yes, we have a private keys. Data back options. 
Follow the instructions to get all your data back: 
OPTION 1 
Step 1: You must send us 0.8 Bitcoin (s) for each affected system 
Step 2: Inform us in panel with hostname ( s) of the system you want, wait for confirmation and get your decrypter 
OPTION 2 
Step 1: You must send us 13 Bitcoin (s) for all affected system 
Step 2: Inform us in panel, wait for confirmation and get all your decrypters 
Our Bitcoin address is: 132wg6kkJJ4MpNKnuhVoptYPmYHf6C5xHE BE CAREFUL, THE COST OF YOUR PAYMENT INCREASES $ 10,000 EACH DAY AFTER THE FOURTH DAY — 

The panel to the Access (Contact us) 
of The panel address: http://xbt4titax4pzza6w.onion/EvcNuvq4gckb/ 
Alternative addresses The 
https://xbt4titax4pzza6w.onion.pet/EvcNuvq4gckb/ 
https://xbt4titax4pzza6w.onion.to/EvcNuvq4gckb/ 
– – 
the Access to the panel using the the Tor Browser 
the If the non of Our links are accessible Template you CAN tor's browser the try to the get in touch with us:
the Step 1: Download Tor Browser from here: https://www.torproject.org/download/download . html.en 
Step 2: Run the Browser Browser and wait for connect 
Step 3: Go to the 
Google Browser, Ask Google: how to use the browser 
— 
Wants to make sure we have your decrypter?
You can upload at most 3 files (maximum size allowance is 10 MB in total) and get your data back as a demo. 
— 
Where to buy bitcoin? 
The easiest way is to find bitcoin using Google Search: buy bitcoin online  

RobbinHood ransomware developers as any other cybercriminals encourage people to pay the demanded ransom and guarantees the decryption. However, these people are malicious, and the test decryption that may be offered is not a good idea. This is the trick to make developers look more trustworthy.

You need to get a reputable anti-malware tool and remove RobbinHood ransomware instead. This method is recommended by many experts^[5] all over the world because ransomware should be removed alongside all the programs and files. A full system scan that antivirus program can offer is the best solution.

RobbinHood ransomware removal using anti-malware tools allows seeing all potential threats and delete them with one program. AV program offers a full system scan and a security check, other features. Employ malware-fighting tool and clean the system entirely. We can also recommend using FortectIntego, a program that helps with virus damage and system issues.

Hackers behind RobbinHood included the Baltimore and Greenville incidents as an examples in the ransom note

One of the newest  RobbinHood ransomware variants came with a little bit more extra on its ransom note. It seems like malicious actors are trying to build up a reputation among its victims and the cyberinimal world, as they are eager to mention the most prolific incidents that involved their malware.

The attack on Baltimore occurred on May 7, 2017, and crooks asked for $76,000 to decrypt all the impacted computers and stored data on them. They also noted in the ransom note that, after four days, the ransom will be increased by $10,000 daily. Baltimore did not pay the ransom in the end, but it cost the city $4.6 million in recovery costs so far – officials said that another $5.4 million will be invested soon. According to some sources, RobbinHood attack cost the city $18 million by June.^[6] However, the impact this large was not only due to the ransomware attack only – the way it was handled, along with lackluster of security measures prior to the incident.

The colossal losses boasted the confidence of hackers behind RobbinHood ransomware, so much so that they now include the names of the highly publicized incidents in the ransom note. They now claim that the keys that can unlock the compromised files will be deleted within 10 days after the initial infection, although also demand victims to stay away from the FBI and other sources that could help them with the recovery process. According to crooks. the recovery is “impossible”:

In summery, you can't read or work with your files, But with our help you can recover them.
It's impossible to recover your files without private key and our unlocking software (You can google: Baltimore city, Greenville city and RobbinHood ransomware)

While it is true that no decryption tool for RobbinHood ransomware currently exists, security experts are continuously working on ransomware decryptors all the time. However, there is no guarantee that such tool will eventually be made. As of now, the only way to recover data is by using backups, trying third-party recovery software, or paying RobbinHood authors and hoping for a working decryptor. As usual, the latter is highly discouraged.

Unprotected RDP connections and other malware causes ransomware infections

There are many different ways how ransomware developers can infect computers, such as using exploits, fake updates, software cracks, spam emails, etc. However, because this malware strain mainly targets organisations and cities, relying on malicious files placed on the internet is simply ineffective. Therefore, more an more high-profile cybercriminals rely on targeted method of infection, and Remote Desktop insecure connections are among the primary ones.

Therefore, if you are using RDP, you need to make sure that it is adequately protected. Cybercriminals scan the internet for devices that are connected to RDP via the default TCP port 3389. Once found, they use a predetermined (but automated) process that manages to brute-force itself in, allowing malicious actors to connected to the host machine remotely and install malware manually.

Therefore, it is vital to avoid using default port for RDP, use strong passwords, limit who can connect to particular connections and turning the RDP off as soon as it is not needed. Additionally, users are advised to make sure their computers are protected by robust anti-malware software at all times to avoid other malware infections which can carry secondary payloads. Finally, a proper backup systems should be implemented in all firms – the best countermeasure against ransomware attack.

Clean the machine and eliminate RobbinHood ransomware, malicious processes and other malware with one professional AV tool

Get rid of the RobbinHood ransomware virus by cleaning the system entirely. This is a great method because all additional programs can get deleted this way. Also, there is no need to have a degree in IT or any experience. 

To remove RobbinHood ransomware properly, you need to get a reputable anti-malware program and scan the machine thoroughly. FortectIntego, SpyHunterCombo Cleaner, or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes are the programs that also can help with improving the general performance of your PC.

Make sure to perform a complete RobbinHood ransomware removal and then recover your files with backed up data or using the data recovery software. We have a few suggestions below as well as additional virus elimination tips.