Yogynicof ransomware is a cryptovirus that generates 20 HTML notes on the host machine
Yogynicof ransomware does not use a file extension. It renames files and names them by numbers
Yogynicof ransomware is a virus that encrypts 122 extensions on the machine using AES + RSA encryption algorithm. Upon that, most of the files stored on the targeted Windows machine get locked and replaced with consecutive numbers 1,2,3,4,5,6, etc. To ensure that the user understands that the system is taken hostage, the virus generates 20 HTML files from Read-me! 0.html to Read-me! 20.html on the desktop. Each of the ransom note redirects to the Yogynicof ransom page on the Internet Explorer web browser where victims get the basic information on the attack and ransom payment conditions.
The crooks behind the Yogynicof ransomware offer people to purchase the decryptor for $500. However, this price is applied to those who respond within 48 hours. It's yet unknown whether the virus permanently restricts people's access to their personal files if the payment is not transferred with the dedicated period or the ransom size is increased. According to criminals, victims have to make the payment in Monero (XMR)[1] cryptocurrency via the 446Dzt3vpTsG6XoJ1RnozY4v2jrSdqYAUjUW7U7MVmRHThQDxmfSdqXZuGRAaRSmx9RZC8pD8FyGfX4sDZqfsCoxEKbkXp8 Monero Wallet and the write an email to yogynicof@protonmail.com indicating unique ID number.
Name
Yogynicof
Type of malware
Ransomware
Geneology
The virus is not bound to any known ransomware family
Distribution
As typical ransomware, it is being distributed via spam email attachments in particular. However, PC's can get infected via unprotected RDPs, cracks, keygens, infected software updates, etc.
Ransom note
20 HTML files (Read-me! 0.html to Read-me! 20.html)
File extension
It does not use a file extension. Instead, the ransomware renames all files with the consecutive numbers
Ransom
Criminals demand to pay $500 within 48 hours in Monero (XMR) cryptocurrency
Symptoms
The main symptom – locked personal files, all automatically renamed by numbers, many Read-me! files in HTML format dropped on desktop and other locations. In addition, the machine's performance can diminish, it may randomly restart or crash
Decryption
The ransomware is currently under investigation by cybersecurity experts. Therefore, even though there's not functional decryptor yet, it's advisable to copy the Yogynicof encrypted files to external or cloud storage and wait for the decryption tool to be released
Removal
Automatic system scan with a professional AV security suite is required
Fixing the damage
This virus aims at deleting the content stored on the \Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ location. This way, it may damage the system and cause various issues. Thus, upon elimination of the ransomware, it's advisable to scan the system with FortectIntego repair tool
Yogynicof ransomware virus encrypts to files on the infected machine using a combination of AES and RSA encryption algorithm. It is capable of encrypting 122 types of extensions, including MS Office documents, OpenOffice, PDF files, text files, databases, images, photos, archives, and other important files. The extensions mainly targeted by this virus are the following:
The Yogynicof virus encrypted files, unlike with most other ransomware viruses, do not get a unique file extension. Instead, they are completely renamed using a simple numbering scheme starting with 1 and increase the sequence depending on the number of detected files.
Besides, it seems that developers of the Yogynicof virus are afraid of victims not to notice the presence of the ransomware. For this purpose, they programmed the virus to generate 20 identical HTML files dubbed as Read-me! 1 .html, Read-me! 2 .html, Read-me! 3 .html, and so on. These so-called ransom notes automatically open the web browser and display a pre-default page that guides the victims through the ransomware maze. The victim is expected to pay Monero cryptocurrency for $500 and transmit the money to criminals via 446Dzt3vpTsG6XoJ1RnozY4v2jrSdqYAUjUW7U7MVmRHThQDxmfSdqXZuGRAaRSmx9RZC8pD8FyGfX4sDZqfsCoxEKbkXp8 Monero wallet. After that, they are supposed to inform criminals about the transfer via email (yogynicof@protonmail.com), though the message necessarily has to contain a personal ID number that is given on the HTML file.
A full text of the Yogynicof ransom note:
Oops, your files are encrypted !!! What happened to my computer? Your important files are encrypted. Many of your documents, photos, videos and other files no longer work because they are encrypted, maybe you are busy looking for a way to recover your files, but do not waste your time, no one can recover your files without our decryption service. Will I be able to recover my files? We guarantee that you can recover all your files safely and easily after our conditions are met. To decrypt files, you need to pay. We give you 2 days to pay, if you don't make it, the key to decrypt your files will automatically be deleted from our server and you lost your files forever! 0-48 hours = $ 500 How do i pay? We accept payment in cryptocurrency Monero (XMR). What is Monero (XMR) you can find here: Link to Wikipedia How to buy Monero (XMR) with USD Credit / Debit Card? You CAN the find found here: Link how to the buy You CAN the buy Monero (XMR) with USD at Credit / Debit Card found here: Payment link the Use the this Monero (XMR) wallet address for payment: 446Dzt3vpTsG6XoJ1RnozY4v2jrSdqYAUjUW7U7MVmRHThQDxmfSdqXZuGRAaRSmx9RZC8pD8FyGfX4sDZqfsCoxEKbkXp8 Your personal below code, Press enter to IT in the are subject line of the mail when sending mail: 14557 Contact email for any question: yogynicof@protonmail.com After payment, write to our email, indicate your personal code in the subject line and we will send you a decoder in a response letter.
However, files encrypted by Yogynicof ransomware is just a peak of an iceberg. This dangerous virus is programmed to initiate aggressive alterations of the Windows OS. One of the most malicious processes run by this malware is github.exe[2]. Upon infiltration, it automatically opens files on C:\WINDOWS\system32\ and injecting malicious scripts onto them. Based on the analysis, the virus targets these files:
winime32.dll
ws2_32.dll
ws2help.dll
psapi.dll
mscoree.dll
imm32.dll
lpk.dll
usp10.dll
mscoreei.dll
mscorwks.dll
On top of that, it can delete the content from Windows registries, especially located in \Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ directory. Therefore, if your files have been encrypted, we would strongly recommend you to think about an immediate Yogynicof removal instead of ransom payment.
Yogynicof virus generates 20 HTML files on the infected PCs and uses a renaming strategy of the encrypted files
Paying the ransom is pointless because there's a high risk of being deceived. No one can guarantee that criminals will provide you with a functional decryption tool, thus leaving you with empty pockets and restricted from the usage of personal files.
Luckily, it's not difficult to remove Yogynicof ransomware from the machine. You should learn how to restart the system into Safe Mode and then launch the antivirus program. However, make sure to use an updated AV version and set it to perform a thorough system scan.
NOTE: before Yogynicof ransomware removal it is advisable to make copies of the encrypted files to prevent permanent file loss. Use external hard drive, USB stick, or cloud storage. This particular ransomware is under investigation right now as it's a novel virus with exceptional traits. It's very likely that cybercriminals will detect some flaws in the encryption model allowing them to create a functional free decryption tool.
Ransomware-type viruses can be spread via malicious files within spam emails
File-encrypting ransomware virus is typically disguised by highly obfuscated files. These files can be injected into spam email attachments, fake software updates, cracks, keygens, and whatnot. Often such files are recognized by AV tools; however, it must be fully updated. Nevertheless, there are thousands of malicious executables that manage to bypass security software without being noticed. Therefore, it's very important for people to be careful when downloading anything on their machines, clicking on ads, links, or any online content.
Nevertheless, the biggest risk to get a ransomware virus is to download pirated software, cracks, and keygens. Millions of people download pirated software for unlocking additional features of paid software without evaluating the risks. At the moment, Reddit[3] and other forums keep reporting about infected Adobe Acrobat crack spread on P2P networks. The latter appears to be infected with a Djvu ransomware virus, namely Zwer, Nlah, Usam, Tabe, and others.
Apart from software cracks, malicious cyber infections are actively distributed via spam email attachments. Therefore, if you receive an “Order Confirmation” email that contains a PDF, Word, Exel, or another format, but you haven't ordered anything, you'd better not open it as it may be infected with ransomware payload.
Yogynicof ransomware virus can be detected by 47 AV engines out of 73
Get rid of the Yogynicof ransomware virus and recover the damage
Yogynicof ransomware virus focuses on locking up people's files and then collecting the money from helpless victims. However, the damage it causes is much bigger. The file-encrypting virus unleashes tens of malicious files on the system, which aggressively alters various Windows settings, registry entries, processes, etc., which eventually can make the system crash, generate BSODs, and errors.
Therefore, if you have noticed 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, etc. tiles on your PC, all you have to do is to remove Yogynicof virus from the system without a delay. For this purpose, employ a fully-updated anti-virus application, such as SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes. These tools can be infringed by the virus, so if you are not allowed to launch any security tool, restart the machine in Safe Mode.
Upon a full Yogynicof removal from Windows, we recommend running a system scan with FortectIntego repair tool. This application can help to prevent the system from crashing and encountering errors due to the changes triggered by ransomware. Finally, you can try to recover files encrypted by this ransomware. The below-given guide will help you to apply decryption steps.
Compatible with Microsoft Windows
Compatible with macOS
What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Those who cannot launch AV scanner for Yogynicof ransomware removal should not worry. Rebooting Windows into Safe Mode with Networking should bypass the restrictions:
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 Yogynicof using System Restore
If the previous method did not help to remove malicious ransomware files, try the 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 Yogynicof. After doing that, click Next.
Now click Yes to start system restore.
Once you restore your system to a previous date, download and scan your computer with FortectIntego and make sure that Yogynicof removal is performed successfully.
Bonus: Recover your data
Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove Yogynicof from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.
While there's not Yogynicof decryptor available, people can try to alternative data recovery methods. We'll list them below:
If your files are encrypted by Yogynicof, you can use several methods to restore them:
Data Recovery Pro is a third-party recovery tool that can retrieve files after a system crash. However, it has a powerful scanner, which can detect some of the locked files.
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.
No decryptor
Although there is no way to decrypt Yogynicof files for free, we do not recommend paying the ransom. Experts[4] are working on the decryptor for this virus, so you'd better be patient and wait for them to provide free software.
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Yogynicof and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting ransomware
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices. Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using Private Internet Access VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings. Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact – you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use Data Recovery Pro for the data restoration process.
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