Un1que ransomware: what it is and how to remove it

From our report of Feb 2020 · not reviewed since

More from our earlier report on Un1que ransomware

• You need to employ anti-malware tool to remove Un1que ransomware from your machine fully, so all the traces of this virus or any additional threats get deleted
• Threats that can access the system folders and settings manage to alter those parts of the machine and damage the device, sometimes even permanently.
• You should get a system program like and run the tool to find and possibly fix virus damage without causing additional issues

From our report of Feb 2020 · not reviewed since

Un1que ransomware is the file-locking virus that derives from another famous malware family – IEncrypt ransomware

Un1que ransomware is the cryptovirus that uses a popular strategy to target large companies and businesses.

This is a typical target for the IEncrypt ransomware virus versions because the bigger the victim the bigger the ransom amount can be. But this particular version shows that everyday users can still get affected by such threats. Ransomware infects the machine and starts the encryption process immediately, so files chosen for the process can get affected as soon as possible.

Once that is done, each image, document, video, or audio file receives the .un1que file marker that distinguishes encrypted files from non-affected data. However, such infections, in most cases, encode tons of personal data and leave only system files un-encrypted.

Nevertheless, the Un1que ransomware virus damages such files with additional processes that get to be launched in the background. It manages to affect particular security functions, features that could be helpful for data recovery or virus removal. This threat can install programs, disable the ones that already run on the machine, or install secondary malware payload on the already infected system, so it damages even more than the encryption does.

Even though previous versions of the same family only targeted companies and businesses, Un1que ransomware appears to also spread on the systems of simple users. The main target still remains companies al over the globe. Once it gets on the system and those photos, documents, videos, databases, and other files get encrypted, the ransom message file appears on the desktop and in some of the folders with encoded data.

Un1que ransomware virus developers write their message in un1que_readme.txt file that contains particular contact emails and claims that there are no other options besides paying for the alleged decryption tool. To determine the particular ransom amount and receive further instructions, people need to contact those criminals as soon as possible until those files haven't gotten permanently damaged.

Typical Un1que ransom note:

When people contact Un1que ransomware developers they need to indicate the name of their company and the particular key included in the ransom note. This ID is unique per each target and determines the victim for developers. This unique victims' key is needed for the decryption too when researchers develop such tools or when the ransom gets paid, and the victim receives a tool capable of recovering those files.

However, no one that knows about cryptocurrency extortion-based viruses can offer to pay for these criminals behind the dangerous Un1que ransomware virus. Experts in various countries claim that there is no reason to pay the demand because criminals cannot guarantee that the decryption tool is going to reach you after that.

In most cases, even large governments and companies stay away from such options. The best option when dealing with ransomware is to get an anti-malware tool and run a proper Un1que ransomware removal process. Especially, when it is known that many AV engines can detect this threat and other related programs associated with the same family.

An important thing to note is the issue of detection names. You can see that many of the engines find safe malware malicious but indicates specific names. This is due to unique databases of threats, so rely on results and malicious detection, not the specific name:

You need to remove Un1que ransomware regardless of the particular name. The best way to remove the threat like this is to get a professional anti-malware program. This is a powerful malware that targets large networks of businesses, so it can be persistent enough to avoid detection and security tools. Make sure to choose an official source for the tool if you decide to get a new program.

You should reboot the machine in a Safe Mode before you run the anti-malware tool on the machine to eliminate Un1que ransomware. This way, malware can be found easier and deleted from the computer fully. Also, remember about all the changes threat makes on the system and get proper repair tools like that could find and fix affected files and repair things like registry entries.

Since Un1que ransomware interacts with the system and damages such functions like file or system recovery or startup, you need to take the settings back to normal, so the virus is no longer accessing removable storage devices or network shares and cannot create additional processes or install programs.

As for file recovery, the best option is to get files from backups on external devices or cloud services. This is how you can replace encoded files with safe ones without causing additional damage. If you don't have that option - read below the article.

• Trojan.Generic.D1F79138;
• Win32.Trojan.Delshad.Dwiw;
• W32.Ransom.Bitpaymer;
• Trojan.Encoder.28586;
• etc.

From our report of Feb 2020 · not reviewed since

Terminate the Un1que cryptovirus and repair the damage

Un1que ransomware removal is not the process that could be achieved manually and quickly.

Remember that this malware includes modules that allow the virus to keep persistent on the infected machine and avoid detections bu injecting existing processes with malicious codes and creating additional entries in registry or memory.

There are a few additional things about Un1que ransomware virus that should be indicated: malware can load data-stealers on the system, and obtain information about the device, steal other files with personal and useful information. Since this threat can get on the network of a company, such devices may store crucial information.

Make sure to remove Un1que ransomware before it is too late, and the threat hasn't loaded secondary payloads or malware on the machine. This is how you avoid permanent damage. Rely on security and system tools like , , or and clean the machine fully before recovering data.

[GI=method-1]Reboot the machine in Safe Mode with Networking and then run the AV tool to delete Un1que ransomware from the system

[GI=method-2]System Restore feature is helpful for Un1que ransomware removal because it can restore the machine in a previous state when the virus was not active yet

Windows Previous Versions is the method allowing the file recovery after Un1que ransomware virus attack

When you enable System Restore, you can choose Windows Previous Versions as a method for file restoring

ShadowExplorer is the feature of an operating system that allows users to restore encoded files

This is the alternate file restoring method that can work for encoded data when Un1que ransomware is not affecting Shadow Volume Copies

Decryption is not possible yet

From our report of Feb 2020 · not reviewed since

Social engineering strategies included in ransomware spreading campaigns

Email messages and hacker-controlled sites get employed for spreading the payload of cryptovirus globally.

This is how threat actors can target companies and businesses at the same time as everyday users - everyone receives emails. Visitors get confused into thinking that the message is legitimate and sent from an institution or company.

Emails include either link to a malicious website where the payload is triggered and dropped after interaction with the content or the file directly attached to the email itself, so the person needs to download the document and open it on the machine. Then additional pop-up encourages the victim to enable malicious macros or different payload dropper.

Infected files with ransomware payload also get uploaded in packages with pirated software on torrent sites and file-sharing services. You cannot notice the infection this way, especially when you choose wrong installation methods that allow every application or file included to get loaded on the system.

Pay attention to emails you receive, look for red flags, do not trust ransom senders. Also, rely on proper software providers, do not pirate or download cheats, cracks of games or software. This is the only way to avoid malware. As for companies and businesses - data backups and secure networks should be a priority.