THREAT REMOVAL

A new variant of the nefarious TeslaCrypt ransomware is circling the Web. This time, the malicious threat is encrypting files in a .vvv file format. Once it affects your system, it will create thousands of files inside multiple folders, along with “how_recover+abc” files to which a ransom note is attached.

Name TeslaCrypt Type Ransomware, Ransomware Trojan Short Description Encrypts the user’s files. No decryption key is stored on the computer. Symptoms Encrypts files with a .vvv extension, creates decrypt.exe, decrypt.html, and decrypt.txt files in almost every folder. Drops a new ransom note in how_recover+abc.html and how_recover+abc.txt files. Distribution Method Email Attachments, Spam Emails, Suspicious Sites Detection Tool Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware User Experience Join our forum to discuss the TeslaCrypt Ransomware.

TeslaCrypt Ransomware – How Did I Get It?

We have already seen other members of this ransomware family around the Web. Learn more about TeslaCrypt and AlphaCrypt.

Ransomware such as TeslaCrypt could enter your system in a number of ways.

The most common distribution method known is through malicious email attachments and spam emails. There are even cases, where the email body itself contains a malicious code and upon opening the email, the user infects his computer with it, even if he doesn’t open the attachment inside.

Social networks and file sharing services may also contain the TeslaCrypt ransomware, disguised as a regular file. Keep in mind that TeslaCrypt may hide in dubious websites as well. Once you visit such a website, you risk infecting your system with TeslaCrypt without you even knowing it.

TeslaCrypt Ransomware – Description

Once executed, the latest TeslaCrypt ransomware will search for files with more than 150 extensions, and more specifically the following ones:

→.sql, .mp4, .7z, .rar, .m4a, .wma, .avi, .wmv, .csv, .d3dbsp, .zip, .sie, .sum, .ibank, .t13, .t12, .qdf, .gdb, .tax, .pkpass, .bc6, .bc7, .bkp, .qic, .bkf, .sidn, .sidd, .mddata, .itl, .itdb, .icxs, .hvpl, .hplg, .hkdb, .mdbackup, .syncdb, .gho, .cas, .svg, .map, .wmo, .itm, .sb, .fos, .mov, .vdf, .ztmp, .sis, .sid, .ncf, .menu, .layout, .dmp, .blob, .esm, .vcf, .vtf, .dazip, .fpk, .mlx, .kf, .iwd, .vpk, .tor, .psk, .rim, .w3x, .fsh, .ntl, .arch00, .lvl, .snx, .cfr, .ff, .vpp_pc, .lrf, .m2, .mcmeta, .vfs0, .mpqge, .kdb, .db0, .dba, .rofl, .hkx, .bar, .upk, .das, .iwi, .litemod, .asset, .forge, .ltx, .bsa, .apk, .re4, .sav, .lbf, .slm, .bik, .epk, .rgss3a, .pak, .big, wallet, .wotreplay, .xxx, .desc, .py, .m3u, .flv, .js, .css, .rb, .png, .jpeg, .txt, .p7c, .p7b, .p12, .pfx, .pem, .crt, .cer, .der, .x3f, .srw, .pef, .ptx, .r3d, .rw2, .rwl, .raw, .raf, .orf, .nrw, .mrwref, .mef, .erf, .kdc, .dcr, .cr2, .crw, .bay, .sr2, .srf, .arw, .3fr, .dng, .jpe, .jpg, .cdr, .indd, .ai, .eps, .pdf, .pdd, .psd, .dbf, .mdf, .wb2, .rtf, .wpd, .dxg, .xf, .dwg, .pst, .accdb, .mdb, .pptm, .pptx, .ppt, .xlk, .xlsb, .xlsm, .xlsx, .xls, .wps, .docm, .docx, .doc, .odb, .odc, .odm, .odp, .ods, .odt

After TeslaCrypt threat finds files with these extensions, it will encrypt them with the extension “.vvv”. This variant does not use data files like the previous one, nor does it store information about the decryption key on the compromised computer.

So, decryption is possible, by using a Network Sniffer to get the encryption key, while files are encrypted on your system. A Network Sniffer is a program and/or device monitoring data traveling over a network, such as its internet traffic and internet packets. If you have a sniffer set before the attack happened you might get information about the decryption key. Another way to get your files back is to restore them if you have backups on an external storage device. Other potential ways for decryption are included in the instructions at the end of the article.

In the ransom note it is described how you can pay the ransom with different currencies like, BitCoins, Ukash, and PayPal My Cash Cards. At the end of the note, there is an upload form, where you can test if the decryption will work:

We advise you not to pay the ransom, as there is no guarantee you will get a decryption key, let alone a working one. The ransomware can create thousands of files with the names: decrypt.exe, decrypt.html, and decrypt.txt, along with the ransom note files, how_recover+abc.txt and how_recover+abc.html.

Remove TeslaCrypt Ransomware Completely

To completely remove TeslaCrypt from your computer, you should have basic knowledge in removing viruses. We highly recommend you to back up your system files first. Afterwards, carefully follow the instructions provided here:

1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove TeslaCrypt 1. Boot Your PC Into Safe Mode 1. For Windows 7,XP and Vista. 1. For Windows 7,XP and Vista. 2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. 2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. For Windows XP, Vista, 7 systems: 1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu.

2. Select one of the two options provided below: – For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again. – For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system. 3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“. 4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.

Step 1: Open the Start Menu Step 2: Whilst holding down Shift button, click on Power and then click on Restart.

Step 3: After reboot, the aftermentioned menu will appear. From there you should choose Troubleshoot. Step 4: You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu you can choose Advanced Options. Step 5: After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings. Step 6: Click on Restart.

Step 7: A menu will appear upon reboot. You should choose Safe Mode by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart. 2. Remove TeslaCrypt with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool 2. Remove TeslaCrypt with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool 1. Install SpyHunter to scan for and remove TeslaCrypt. 1. Install SpyHunter to scan for and remove TeslaCrypt. 2. Scan with SpyHunter to Detect and Remove TeslaCrypt. 2. Scan with SpyHunter to Detect and Remove TeslaCrypt. Step 1:Click on the “Download” button to proceed to SpyHunter’s download page. Click on the “Download” button to proceed to SpyHunter’s download page.

It is highly recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.

Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to automatically update. Step1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Scan Computer Now’ button.



Step2: After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any TeslaCrypt files, click on the ‘Fix Threats’ button to remove them automatically and permanently.



Step3: Once the intrusions on your PC have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart it.

3. Back up your data to secure it against infections and file encryption by TeslaCrypt in the future 3. Back up your data to secure it against attacks in the future IMPORTANT! Before reading the Windows backup instructions, we highly recommend to back up your data automatically with cloud backup and insure it against any type of data loss on your device, even the most severe. We recommend reading more about and downloading SOS Online Backup . SOS Backup To back up your files via Windows and prevent any future intrusions, follow these instructions:

1. For Windows 7 and earlier 1. For Windows 7 and earlier 1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10 1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10 1. Enabling the Windows Defense Feature (Previous Versions) 1. Enabling the Windows Defense Feature (Previous Versions) 1-Click on Windows Start Menu



2-Type Backup And Restore

3-Open it and click on Set Up Backup



4-A window will appear asking you where to set up backup. You should have a flash drive or an external hard drive. Mark it by clicking on it with your mouse then click on Next.



5-On the next window, the system will ask you what do you want to backup. Choose the ‘Let Me Choose’ option and then click on Next.



6-Click on ‘Save settings and run backup’ on the next window in order to protect your files from possible attacks by TeslaCrypt.



Windows button + R



2-In the window type ‘filehistory’ and press Enter



3-A File History window will appear. Click on ‘Configure file history settings’



4-The configuration menu for File History will appear. Click on ‘Turn On’. After its on, click on Select Drive in order to select the backup drive. It is recommended to choose an external HDD, SSD or a USB stick whose memory capacity is corresponding to the size of the files you want to backup.



5-Select the drive then click on ‘Ok’ in order to set up file backup and protect yourself from TeslaCrypt.

1-Press2-In the window typeand press3-A File History window will appear. Click on4-The configuration menu for File History will appear. Click on ‘Turn On’. After its on, click on Select Drive in order to select the backup drive. It is recommended to choose an external HDD, SSD or a USB stick whose memory capacity is corresponding to the size of the files you want to backup.5-Select the drive then click on ‘Ok’ in order to set up file backup and protect yourself from 1- Press Windows button + R keys.



2- A run windows should appear. In it type ‘sysdm.cpl’ and then click on Run.



3- A System Properties windows should appear. In it choose System Protection.



5- Click on Turn on system protection and select the size on the hard disk you want to utilize for system protection.

6- Click on Ok and you should see an indication in Protection settings that the protection from TeslaCrypt is on.



Restoring a file via Windows Defense feature:

1-Right-click on the encrypted file, then choose Properties.



2-Click on the Previous Versions tab and then mark the last version of the file.



3-Click on Apply and Ok and the file encrypted by TeslaCrypt should be restored.

4. Restore files encrypted by TeslaCrypt 4.Restore Files Encrypted by TeslaCrypt Security engineers strongly advise users NOT to pay the ransom money and attempt restoring the files using other methods. Here are several suggestions: To restore your data, your first bet is to check again for shadow copies in Windows using this software: Shadow Explorer If this method does not work, Kaspersky have provided a decryptors for files encrypted with the this and other encryption algorithms: Kaspersky Decryptors Another method of restoring your files is by trying to bring back your files via data recovery software. Here are some examples of data recovery programs: Stellar Phoenix Data Recovery Technicians License(Pro version with more features)

Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery

Stellar Phoenix Photo Recovery There is also the technical option to use a network sniffer: Another way to decrypt the files is by using a Network Sniffer to get the encryption key, while files are encrypted on your system. A Network Sniffer is a program and/or device monitoring data traveling over a network, such as its internet traffic and internet packets. If you have a sniffer set before the attack happened you might get information about the decryption key.



Optional: Using Alternative Anti-Malware Tools Remove TeslaCrypt Using Other Alternative Tools STOPZilla Anti Malware STOPZilla Anti Malware 1. Download and Install STOPZilla Anti-malware to Scan for And Remove TeslaCrypt.

Step 1: Download STOPZilla by clicking here.

Step 2: A pop-up window will appear. Click on the ‘Save File’ button. If it does not, click on the Download button and save it afterwards.



Step 3: After you have downloaded the setup, simply open it.

Step 4: The installer should appear. Click on the ‘Next’ button.



Step 5: Check the ‘I accept the agreement’ check circle if not checked if you accept it and click the ‘Next’ button once again.



Step 6: Review and click on the ‘Install’ button.



Step 7: After the installation process has completed click on the ‘Finish’ button. Download STOPZilla byA pop-up window will appear. Click on thebutton. If it does not, click on the Download button and save it afterwards.After you have downloaded the setup, simplyThe installer should appear. Click on thebutton.Check thecheck circle if not checked if you accept it and click thebutton once again.Review and click on thebutton.After the installation process has completed click on thebutton. 2. Scan your PC with STOPZilla Anti Malware to remove all TeslaCrypt associated files completely.

Step 1: Launch STOPZilla if you haven’t launched it after install.

Step 2: Wait for the software to automatically scan and then click on the ‘Repair Now’ button. If it does not scan automatically, click on the ‘Scan Now’ button.



Step 3: After the removal of all threats and associated objects, you should Restart your PC.



NOTE! Substantial notification about the TeslaCrypt threat: Manual removal of TeslaCrypt requires interference with system files and registries. Thus, it can cause damage to your PC. Even if your computer skills are not at a professional level, don’t worry. You can do the removal yourself just in 5 minutes, using a Substantial notification about thethreat: Manual removal ofrequires interference with system files and registries. Thus, it can cause damage to your PC. Even if your computer skills are not at a professional level, don’t worry. You can do the removal yourself just in 5 minutes, using a malware removal tool.

Berta Bilbao Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer. More Posts

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