BugsFighter

Sheeva is a recently-discovered ransomware infection that targets Windows systems to encrypt potentially important data and demand payment from victims for its decryption. While executing the virus system on our machine, Sheeva encrypted mostly business-related files which involved accounting, finance, and database information. It also renamed each file according to this pattern id[victim's_ID].[Sheeva@onionmail.org].[original_filename].sheeva. For instance, a file named 1.xlsx was renamed to id[xmrJ9Lve].[Sheeva@onionmail.org].1.xlsx.sheeva and dropped its original icon. After this, the ransomware infection created a text file named sheeva.txt to feature decryption instructions. Cybercriminals say that victims will have to pay some amount of money (unspecified) in Bitcoins to retrieve unique decryption tools. For this, users are instructed to contact swindlers using either Sheeva@onionmail.org or Sheeva@cyberfear.com e-mail addresses and also include their personally-generated ID. It is also allowed to send two files (under 5 MB) and get them decrypted for free. Many cybercriminals use this trick to show their decryption abilities and also motivate victims into further collaboration with them. Since Sheeva Ransomware targets business-related data, it is reasonable to assume that its scope narrows down to corporate rather than home users. This means the further announced price for decryption may be quite high and shy many victims away from decryption. Unfortunately, unless there are serious bugs and underdevelopment inside a ransomware virus, manual decryption without the help of extortionists is almost impossible.

Alike other similar schemes, Geek Squad email scam is designed to trick users into reacting to fake subscription notifications and acting upon cybercriminals' requests. The letter attempts to make users believe they have been charged for the renewal of the annual Geek Total Protection or similar subscription ($499.99). However, because users did not pay for any subscriptions intentionally, cybercriminal actors expect victims to call the provided +1-808-666-6112 (or similar) telephone number. Note that the subsidiary Geek Squad of the authentic consumer electronics corporation Best Buy has nothing to do with such letters you might have received. If you did not do any payments yourself and double-checked your bank account for such deductions, it is more likely such email messages are fake and contain the above-mentioned text. After calling the number of fake Geek Squad representatives, users will be therefore guided by cybercriminals to provide sensitive details (credit card info, social security number, etc.), pay a "fee" to cancel the subscription, or even install some software allowing scammers to remote-access your PC. Whatever they say is most likely a scam designed to extract financial benefits from inexperienced and gullible users. Beware of these scam techniques and read our guide below to learn how one can protect himself better against them.

Checkmate is a new ransomware infection that encrypts large volumes of office data and demands victims to pay 15,000 USD for its decryption. The virus uses secure algorithms to encipher important pieces of data (e.g., documents, tables, databases, photos, etc.). During this process, all affected files get visually changed with the .checkmate extension. For instance, a file named 1.xlsx will change to 1.xlsx.checkmate and reset its original icon to blank. As a result, the data will become no longer accessible. Lastly, developers create a text note called !CHECKMATE_DECRYPTION_README.txt to explain how files can be decrypted. The text note states how many files have been encrypted and what can be done to reclaim them. As mentioned above, extortionists require victims to pay an equivalent of 15,000 USD in Bitcoin to their crypto wallet address. Additionally, swindlers also offer to try free decryption - by sending 3 encrypted files (no more than 15 MB each) through the Telegram Messenger. They will afterwards supply the victim with free decrypted samples and provide the wallet address for the ransom payment. After transferring money, cybercriminals promise to respond back with decryption tools to unlock access to data. Unfortunately, at the moment of writing this article, there are no third-party tools that could allow free decryption without the direct help of cybercriminals. Means of encryption used by ransomware are usually very strong, making independent tools oftentimes useless with regard to decryption.

My Login Hub is a typical browser hijacker that claims to provide quick access to various e-mail accounts. Although it actually does, My Login Hub is considered a piece of unwanted software that should be removed. Upon its successful installation, users will see that the default address of the search engine, homepage, and new tab changes to hp.hmyloginhub.co. This address persists each time users boot up the browser, open a new tab, or enter some queries into the search bar. One of the main drawbacks making browser hijackers practically useless is often their inability to generate individual search results. The hp.hmyloginhub.co search engine used by My Login Hub is fake and instead powered by the legitimate Yahoo search. This means a newly entered search query will be redirected through hp.hmyloginhub.co, but eventually end up displayed by search.yahoo.com. In addition to this, researchers also point out on privacy risks associated with browser hijackers. Such software may surveil browser activity and collect important data like passwords, IP-addresses, or geolocations. This sensitive information may thereafter be sold to third-parties that could be potentially interested in it. To sum up, My Login Hub should be deleted from your browser and operating system as soon as possible because of doubtful features and security risks it may create.

Vkontakte DJ is a dubious desktop application that distributes itself under the name of a legitimate and popular Russian social media platform called "Vkontakte". A number of research groups classified it as a browser hijacker due to its features to change the browser homepage and search engine to yandex.ru without users' consent. On the initial basis, Vkontakte DJ positions itself as an application designed to help users download music and video without limitations. However, although such features may sound useful, their fulfillment may be poor and not bring the expected user experience. Users facing Vkontakte DJ on their PCs have also seen two more pieces of software installed in addition to it - "Yandex browser" and "Browser Manager". It is also likely you will see the icons of these programs pinned on the taskbar. Although the Yandex browser is legitimate, the company itself has a bad reputation for using intrusive methods of promoting its software. Note that Vkontakte DJ does not have any direct relation to Yandex, however, its developers may be in collaboration to promote Yandex services for getting money once successful installations occur. Vkontakte DJ is not a virus, but should be viewed as an unwanted application if you received it without permission. In such a case, we advise you to remove the application and everything else related to it (e.g. "Yandex browser", "Browser Manager", etc.). Use our guide below to do it fast and without traces.

Worthyrid.com is a shady website that promotes redirects to other unreliable pages that may contain malicious ads and force you into downloading some harmful software. There are many other sites that operate like Worthyrid.com and pose threats. Normally, users get relocated to these pages unwillingly through some potentially unwanted software that might be installed in a browser or computer. This kind of resource is meant to garner user's data like IP-addresses, browsing history, passwords, and other delicate information that third-parties can leverage for making a profit. In addition, Worthyrid.com tricks people into clicking on the "Allow" buttons to verify that you are not a robot, confirm that you are 18+, enable Adobe Flash Player, and so forth. Some users are being caught in their inexperience and carelessness. You can then assume that clicking on "Allow" buttons inevitably leads to the installation of adware that scatters deceptive advertisements around the desktop. Redirecting pages is a common thing that can touch any type of users, this is why it is vital to know how to dodge this kind of website and remove it from your computer if needed.

ClickManager is an adware-type application targeting MacOS that is supposedly meant to enhance browsing activity with exclusive features. However, instead of bringing truly useful value, it promotes intrusive advertisements all over the web that appear in places they should not be. It installs as an app in MacOS and extension in Safari, taking control over your browser. This allows ClickMnager to display ads, while you navigating the web. The types of ads may vary from regular banners to fake push-notification pop-ups that force users into clicking on the "Allow" button. These are the common symptoms you will find due to the presence of ClickManager on your system. Some adware can also seek hijacking purposes which means stealing personal data like passwords, geolocations, IP-addresses or even credentials. All of this information can be easily gathered and sold to third-parties. Once installed, ClickManager creates a short-cut icon (white magnifying glass on grey background). Manual removal may result in an endless circle of useless attempts because these kinds of apps are stubborn and require a special approach. This is why we will show you how to remove ClickManager from your computer and prevent further data loss.

If you are unwillingly seeing a website that displays Your Norton subscription has expired today message, then your PC is probably infected with a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program). This message says that you should renew Norton Antivirus to stay protected against up-to-date threats. Pop-ups of such type are considered to be a scam to urge people to click on deceptive buttons. Oftentimes, after clicking, the button redirects users to malicious websites that run executable scripts. In our case, however, it leads to a legitimate download page for Norton software. Despite this, it does not exclude the fact that Unwanted Applications alter some settings and maybe collecting your personal data in a stealthy fashion. Hence, you should remove it to get rid of annoying pop-ups that restrict you from browsing correctly.