ViroBotnet ransomware (Removal Instructions) - Decryption Steps Included
ViroBotnet virus Removal Guide
What is ViroBotnet ransomware?
ViroBotnet ransomware is a virus that modifies the targeted system and marks files with .enc extension
ViroBotnet ransomware virus is a product of cybercriminals. These people demand to pay 500 euro for encrypted files.
ViroBotnet ransomware — cryptovirus that demands 500 EUR ransom from French-speaking users. File-locking virus encrypts files using an army-grade AES encryption algorithm and marks encoded data with the .enc file extension. File modification that makes your data useless is only the start of the ransomware attack. After this process, virus developers ask for a payment in the ransom note README.txt and locks your screen with the ransom message displayed.
Name | ViroBotnet |
---|---|
Type | Ransomware |
Encryption method | AES |
Category | Cryptovirus |
File extension | .enc |
Ransom amount | 500 EUR |
Ransom note | README.xt |
Targeted people | French-speakers |
Distribution | Outlook emails with infected file |
Elimination | Use FortectIntego for ViroBotnet ransomware removal |
ViroBotnet virus gets distributed using common techniques, such as spam emails, malicious websites and by using brute-force attacks. Once installed, the malware uses the executable Office Updater.exe which then sends our thousands of emails to every person on the contact list of the victim. The process creates a Botnet – a combination of infection computers that are predetermined to execute certain tasks (in most cases, re-distribute the infection).
ViroBotnet ransomware virus appears to be still in development, and new versions are to be expected to be developed. Researchers believe that Botnet capabilities will expand the extent of the ransomware infections all over the world.
Immediately after infiltration ViroBotnet virus scans the system and detects various files that later on get encrypted with AES encryption chipher[1]. All modified files get .enc file extension that shows which ones are encoded. In every folder that contains encrypted data, virus places a ransom note called README.txt.
Also, this threat locks your screen and displays a ransom note on this black window. The message contains information about the attacks and payment methods, amount. Ransomware developers give 72 hours to pay before the key is deleted, but you shouldn't listen to these hackers. Paying the ransom doesn't ensure that your files will be decrypted.
Ransom note reads as follows(translated from French):
Vos fichiers personnels ont été chiffrés. Lisez les instructions du logiciel. (Your personal files are encrypted. Read the instructions for the program.)
Lock screen displays the message:
Vos fichiers personnels ont été chiffré. Pour les déchiffrer, envoyez 500€ de bitcoins à cette adresse: 1BoatSLRHtKNngkdXEeobR76b53LETtpyT
Toute tentative de destruction de ce logiciel entraînera la destruction de la clé de déchiffrement.
Toute tentative de déchiffrement avec une clé erronée entraînera la perte définitive de vos fichiers.
Vous avez 72 heures pour effectuer le paiement. Après quoi, la clé de déchiffrement sera supprimée.
Clé de déchiffrement :
Déchiffrer mes fichiers(Your personal files were encrypted. For their decipherment came bitkoins for 500 € to this address:1BoatSLRHtKNngkdXEeobR76b53LETtpyT
Any attempt to destroy this program will destroy the decryption key.
Any attempt to decrypt with the wrong key will damage your files.
You have 72 hours to pay. After that, the decryption key will be deleted.
The decryption key:
Decrypt my files:
ViroBotnet ransomware is a serious cyber threat, but only 19 from 68 AVs detect[2] the ransomware file as malicious. You can find that OfficeUpdater.exe is detected as:
- TR/Dropper.Gen
- DeepScan:Generic.Ransom.Hiddentear.A.13B5B1E9
- HEUR:Trojan.Win32.Generic
- Malware.Generic.CN1 (A)
- Trojan.Win32.Generic.pak!cobra
- Trojan.MSIL.gen.b.7.
You should remove ViroBotnet ransomware with the help of reputable anti-malware tools because ransomware can install additional programs on your device. Programs like FortectIntego can detect possible threats and get rid of them and ransomware itself. The application is capable of repairing all the damage done by the virus.
ViroBotnet ransomware removal should be performed before the file recovery procedure. If you do have backups ready, DO NOT connect them to the infected PC, as all the backup data will be encoded as well as soon as you connect it. Same goes for backup files stored on a remote server – do not access them before virus removal. If you do not have backups, use the third-party software we recommend below. Note that chances of recovering the data are low; however, you need to try all the resources before giving up (if you care for your data, of course).
ViroBotnet ransomware is a cryptovirus that locks various data using AES encryption chiper.
Ransomware developers distribute the threat using email attachments
Typical ransomware payload spreads via social engineering attacks when spam email attachments are infected with malware or hyperlinks redirect users to malicious websites. Hackers use company logos, styling, similar email address, etc., to make the scam look more believable.
However, researchers[3] note that this particular virus uses a slightly different distribution technique. Using Outlook service this virus sends emails to every contact on every account that has been logging on the infected device. This email contains OfficeUpdater.exe file or infects ransomware on the machine directly from the email.
ViroBotnet ransomware termination should be done without any delays
If you found your files locked with .enc extension, make sure to remove ViroBotnet ransomware as soon as possible. There is no need to delay, and also no need to pay attention to hackers warnings (looking at how they try to scare users that the decryption key will be destroyed within 72 hours).
For ViroBotnet ransomware removal, you should use FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes because it is the best solution for malware elimination. Anti-malware tools perform a full system scan and remove threats from your device. After the thorough malware elimination, you can attempt data replacement or recovery. Below the article, you can find a few suggestions for file recovery.
Getting rid of ViroBotnet virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
Reboot your device in Safe Mode with Networking and scan the device with AV to see what cyber infections it can detect:
Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.
Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking
Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment.
Windows 7 / Vista / XP
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. – it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes
Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check program Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Go to Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
Step 4. Delete virus files
Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
- Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):
%AppData%
%LocalAppData%
%ProgramData%
%WinDir%
After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.
Remove ViroBotnet using System Restore
Use System Restore feature:
-
Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Windows 7 / Vista / XP- Click Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
- Select Command Prompt from the list
Windows 10 / Windows 8- Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
- Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
- Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window.
-
Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
- Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
- Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again..
- When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of ViroBotnet. After doing that, click Next.
- Now click Yes to start system restore.
Bonus: Recover your data
Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove ViroBotnet from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.If your files are encrypted by ViroBotnet, you can use several methods to restore them:
Data Recovery Pro can restore your files if you have no backup
If you accidentally deleted your data or got infected by ViroBotnet ransomware, use Data Recovery Pro and restore your files
- Download Data Recovery Pro;
- Follow the steps of Data Recovery Setup and install the program on your computer;
- Launch it and scan your computer for files encrypted by ViroBotnet ransomware;
- Restore them.
Windows Previous Versions feature can be helpful if you have no clean files on cloud services
Use Windows Previous Versions for data recovery if System restore was enabled before
- Find an encrypted file you need to restore and right-click on it;
- Select “Properties” and go to “Previous versions” tab;
- Here, check each of available copies of the file in “Folder versions”. You should select the version you want to recover and click “Restore”.
ShadowExplorer can recover copies of Shadow Volume
If ViroBotnet ransomware left Shadow Volume Copies untouched, you could recover those files using ShadowExplorer
- Download Shadow Explorer (http://shadowexplorer.com/);
- Follow a Shadow Explorer Setup Wizard and install this application on your computer;
- Launch the program and go through the drop down menu on the top left corner to select the disk of your encrypted data. Check what folders are there;
- Right-click on the folder you want to restore and select “Export”. You can also select where you want it to be stored.
Decryption tool is not available
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from ViroBotnet and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting ransomware
Access your website securely from any location
When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.
If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like Private Internet Access can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.
Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks
While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files. More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.
Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, Data Recovery Pro can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.
- ^ Advanced Encryption Standard. Wikipedia. The free encyclopedia.
- ^ Ransomware analysis. VirusTotal. Cybersecurity community.
- ^ UdenVirus. UdenVirus. Security and spyware news.