How to remove SNTG ransomware

SNTG ransomware – new file-locker from the Matrix family

SNTG ransomware is a cryptovirus that renders infected computer files inaccessible by encrypting them with a strong algorithm, and a ransom is required to unlock them. Originating from the Matrix ransomware family, the virus encrypts documents, photos, audio/video files, archives, etc. All of those non-system files receive a complex three-part extension. It consists of the email address of the criminals who distributed this virus, a sequence of random characters, and .SNTG appendix.

After the encryption process is finished, ransom notes named #SNTG_README#.rtf are created and scattered on all locations throughout the computer. Within that note, developers of SNTG ransomware are trying to allure their victims into meeting their demands by saying that only they have the required decoding tool and decryption key needed to unlock the data. In most cases, that's true, but dealing with cybercriminals is a risky business, and we advise against it. They provide a unique personal ID, which should be sent to them when establishing contact via their three given emails (victims should write to all of them at once):

• SantaGman@criptext.com,
• SantaGman@protonmail.com,
• SantaGman@tutanota.com.

As proof that they possess the needed tools for decryption, the cybercriminals offer to send them three small files from the infected machines to be unlocked for free (files shouldn't include any sensitive data). They also threaten that if the victims try and recover files by themselves or third-party tools, the data might be damaged and lost forever. There are no more details about the ransom amount, or the preferred payment method is mentioned.

Although meeting criminal extortion demands to retrieve your data might seem like the only available option, please refrain from doing that. When cybercriminals like the creators of the .SNTG virus achieve their goals, i.e., get paid, that fuels their business and motivates to expand. And there's absolutely no guarantee that you will receive the promised tools to decrypt your files. There are numerous cases^[1] where the victims got scammed even more.

In case you're one of the unlucky ones that got the device infected, you should delete the infection immediately. To remove SNTG ransomware, we recommend using either SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes anti-malware software. These apps will do the work for you because removing it manually might be extremely hard even for tech-savvy computer users.

Cryptoviruses are known to altercate various system settings and files to help with its purpose of encryption and extortion. Experts^[2] suggest using the FortectIntego tool after a successful SNTG virus removal to check and repair what damage the malware had done.

Text from the cybercriminals' ransom note:

SHIT HАPPENS!
WE HАVE TО INFОRM YОU THАT АLL YОUR FILES WERE ENCRYPTED!

PLEАSE BE SURE, YОUR FILES АRE NОT BRОKEN!
Yоur filеs wеrе еnсrуptеd with strоng сrуptо аlgоrithms.
* Plеаsе nоtе thаt thеrе is nо wау tо dесrуpt уоur filеs withоut uniquе dесrуptiоn kеу аnd spесiаl sоftwаrе. Yоur uniquе dесrуptiоn kеу is sесurеlу stоrеd оn оur sеrvеr.
* Tо dесrуpt уоur dаtа уоu nееd оur spесifiс аutоmаtiс dесrуptiоn tооl аnd уоur uniquе dесrуptiоn kеу.
* Аll уоur filеs wеrе rеnаmеd but аftеr dесrуptiоn prосеss filеnаmеs will bе rесоvеrеd tо оriginаl stаtе. Dаtа struсturе will nоt сhаngе.
* Plеаsе bе surе thаt аll thе аttеmpts tо rесоvеr уоur filеs bу уоursеlf оr using third pаrtу tооls саn rеsult in irrеvосаblе lоss оf уоur dаtа!

WHАT DО YОU NEED TО DО?
First оf аll уоu hаvе tо writе us bу е-mаil:
Оur first е-mаil:                SantaGman@criptext.com
Оur sесоnd е-mаil:        SantaGman@protonmail.com
Оur third е-mаil:        SantaGman@tutanota.com

АTTENTIОN!
If уоu wаnt tо rесоvеr уоur dаtа plеаsе writе us tо аll оur е-mаil аdrеssеs!
It is rеаllу impоrtаnt bесаusе оf dеlivеrу prоblеms with sоmе mаil sеrviсеs!
Plеаsе bе surе wе аrе аlwауs in tоuсh аnd rеаdу tо hеlp уоu!
If уоu will nоt rесеivе оur аnswеr in 24 hоurs, plеаsе rеsеnd уоur mеssаgе!
Plеаsе аlwауs сhесk SPАM fоldеr!
* Writе оn English оr usе prоfеssiоnаl trаnslаtоr

In subjесt linе writе уоur pеrsоnаl ID: –

Fоr уоur аssurаnсе уоu саn аttасh up tо 3 smаll еnсrуptеd filеs tо уоur mеssаgе. Wе will dесrуpt аnd sеnd уоu dесrуptеd filеs fоr frее.
*   Plеаsе nоtе thаt filеs must nоt соntаin аnу vаluаblе infоrmаtiоn аnd thеir tоtаl sizе must bе lеss thаn 5Mb.

Plеаsе dоn't wоrrу!
Bе surе thаt уоur dаtа саn bе RESTОRED TОDАY!
Wе аrе in tоuсh 24/7 аnd rеаdу tо hеlp уоu!
If уоu nоt rесеivеd оur аnswеr plеаsе rеsеnd уоur mеssаgе tо аll е-mаil аdrеssеs!

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Malware distribution techniques

Cybercriminals are good at what they do, so everyday computer users should be attentive while browsing the internet. The most common way for the perpetrators to infect computers is by using file-sharing platforms and email spam.

In file-sharing platforms, like torrent sites, cyberthieves usually hide their creations as various illegal activation tools (cracks) for games or software. Users should never use those sites to get their desired programs or they might become the next victims. Instead, support your beloved game or desired app developers by buying directly from their official websites.

Cybercriminals conduct spam email campaigns, i.e., they send out an enormous amount of emails to everyday computer users all over the world. Those spam emails might contain either hyperlinks to malicious sites or infected attachments. Never open emails if you don't know the sender and always scan attachments with a reliable anti-malware app before downloading them.

Guidelines to remove SNTG ransomware

Ransomware^[3] is a dangerous type of malware that not only encrypts victims' files and demands a ransom for a decryption tool, but it also modifies system settings and its files to help it achieve its goal. We highly advise never to pay the ransom and eradicate the virus immediately.

To remove SNTG ransomware, we suggest using a time-proven SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes software. Do a full system scan and delete all the files that the might have been important by malware.

Once SNTG virus removal is accomplished, we highly recommend using the FortectIntego application to automatically detect what altercations were made to the system core files and restore them. Only after doing that you can safely retrieve your data from backups.