How to remove Santa_helper@protonmail.com ransomware virus

Santa_helper@protonmail.com: a new malicious version of OzozaLocker

Santa_helper@protonmail.com virus is a version of the OzozaLocker ransomware which aims to lock certain data found on the infected computers and then earn some easy money by selling the unlock key. Like its initial version, the virus is programmed to apply AES-256 encryption to all of the main “working” documents, files and programs, pictures, archives, etc. We should remind you that this is a very complex, military-grade cipher which has not been decrypted yet. The best you can expect is that the virus creators have left some flaws in the program’s source code which might help bypass the encryption and recover the files this way. In fact, we have already witnessed this in the case of OzozaLocker which has been decontaminated quickly after its release. The users were able to recover their files after downloading and running Emisoft’s OzozaLocker decrypter on the affected computers, and the hackers were left without a penny. Nevertheless, this misfortunate has apparently motivated them to release Santa_helper@protonmail.com malware which, to be fair, features very little changes. Undoubtedly, the hackers are still trying to persuade the victims into purchasing the decryption key from them directly in order to avoid the risk of losing their personal data. Nevertheless, we suggest you remove Santa_helper@protonmail.com from the computer and reject such propositions without hesitation. When you eliminate the virus with FortectIntego anti-malware, you can then try to redeem your files using the data recovery instructions we provide below the article.

Santa_helper@protonmail.com ransomware drops a message.vbs file on the infected computer’s desktop, explaining what is actually going on with the files and how they can be redeemed. It is probably the only thing that distinguishes this virus version from OzozaLocker which used HOW TO DECRYPT YOU FILES.txt document to display the ransom note. In this particular case, though, the hackers state that the data recovery key will be sent to the users soon after 1 Bitcoin is sent to the indicated Bitcoin wallet account. The payment also must be confirmed by emailing the cyber criminals this key. Below you can see the example of this ransom note:

Files have been encrypted.
If you want to decrypt, please, send 1 bitcoin to address 1J6X2LzDrLyR9EoEDVJzogwW5esq5DyHRB and write me to
e-mail: Santa_helper@protonmail.com
Your key:
[random_string_of_characters]

Unfortunately, even after the money is transferred, the users are still left with the files appended with .LOCKED extensions and jumbled content inside them. This is surely a good reason not to pay the ransom but to focus on Santa_helper@protonmail.com removal instead.

Ransomware distribution and data protection:

Just like the OzozaLocker, Santa_helper@protonmail.com ransomware virus is usually delivered to the targeted computers with the help of malicious spam campaigns, fake software update downloads or corrupt ads. Possibly, there are even more ways to distribute the infection, but these three are most pronounced and persist through most ransomware infiltration cases. Santa_helper@protonmail.com usually disguises itself as JavaScript or WS files that supposedly contain legal documents, online shopping receipts, or Adobe Flash updates. It is not difficult to mistake them for legitimate content and unknowingly allow the virus on the computer. Since you can’t really prevent the virus infiltration, you can at least secure your files by keeping their backup copies separately from the computer.

How to recover your data after Santa_helper@protonmail.com removal?

Santa_helper@protonmail.com virus may not be the most complex of all the ransomware out there, but it should definitely be treated with the same caution. This virus may block your antivirus or other security programs from running the system scan, so you might even have to go through some of the Santa_helper@protonmail.com removal steps manually, to be able to get rid of this parasite successfully. For the sake of your convenience, we have described this process step-by-step just below this article. We should warn you, though, that these guidelines are not meant to remove Santa_helper@protonmail.com but merely reduce its influence on the computer in order to launch the antivirus software. So after you complete them, don’t forget to scan your computer as well!