BugsFighter

Being produced by Everbe family, Paymen45 locks down multiple files that are stored on your system and force people to pay a ransom for data retrieval. It was discovered and described by individual Russian security researcher Amigo-A in his blog. Alike other malware of this type, there is no single extension that is applied to affected files. Instead, it uses a random combination of different symbols. The most reset variation looks like this: 1.mp4.g8R4rqWIp9. In this note, extortionists ask you to buy a decryption key (in BTC) through the attached link in the Tor browser. There is also a backup e-mail if you have any questions. If you refuse to buy their software, they intimidate that your data will be spread online. Cybercriminals are usually right when claiming that third-parties software cannot decrypt your files.

Mespinoza continues incrementally cementing its name around ransomware developers and produced another variation called Pysa. This version acts like others - it strikes files stored on your system by locking them down with .pysa, .locked or .newversion extensions. For instance, 1.mp4 will be renamed to 1.mp4.pysa, 1.mp4.locked and so forth. Extortionists claim that they are the only figures who can decrypt your files and third-parties tools will not help you at all. In fact, it is true since most ransomware uses high-end algorithms that are tough-to-decrypt. The only solution looks to be contacting them via e-mail and purchasing the decryption key.

If you no longer can access your data then this may be because of file-encryption virus that could suddenly penetrate your system. Being categorized as ransomware, LokerAdmin encrypts user's data by using AES algorithms and consequently demands a ransom in BTC to retrieve the locked files. LokerAdmin covers a range of data such as MS Office, PDFs, text files, images, music, videos, and archives which appear to be the most valuable for regular users. The encryption of files will visually result in icon and extension changes, internal changes are much more dramatic. First versions of the malware used .$$$ and .texyz suffixes. The latest variations switched to random 5-6 character alphanumerical sequences, like .8NWm8Y. For example, 1.mp4 will loose its original icon and migrate to 1.mp4.$$$ or 1.mp4.texyz file extensions. After successful encryption, the virus is hardwired for creating a note containing the ransom information (readme.txt).

Goodgame Empire is a legitimate videogame designed by GoodGamesStudios 1.0. However, if it sneaked into the system without your consent, then more likely it is adware attempting to steal your personal data and cause multiple other issues. After installation, it adds a videogame icon on your desktop that redirects users to http://empire.goodgamestudios.com/?w=312735. Thereafter, you can start playing an online game simply by typing your nickname and password which is a great maneuver to distract users from adware's main activity. Note that potentially unwanted programs like adware disturb user experience by displaying both browser and on-screen banners, coupons, and other types of advertisements. This is why we recommend removing Goodgame Empire if it appeared on your computer without your permission.

Developed by MyWay, My Social Shortcut is a potentially unwanted program that is ostensibly meant to improve browsing by altering certain settings. The software of this type is usually categorized as browser hijackers and may come in both software and extension formats. It proliferates users without permission and runs a couple of changes after penetration. To illustrate, the program appends a new search engine (hp.myway.com) and changes the overall interface. If you think that My Social Shortcut is useful and will not damage your privacy, then you are totally wrong! My Social Shortcut has data-tracking capabilities. This means that modifying certain settings allows extortionists to spy on your activity and collect sensitive data. Besides that, My Social Shortcut may require access to your social media to display quick shortcuts on the homepage. Once allowed, swindlers can easily gather your personal details and sell them to cybercriminals.

If your data got locked and appended with the .encrypted extension, then you might be infected with Sadogo Ransomware which is a malicious program that encrypts victim's data. Sadogo and other similar malware infiltrate systems without the user's consent. Unfortunately, this kind of malware does not miss a single unit and encrypts everything stored on your PC. For example, the original file like 1.mp4 and others will be changed to 1.mp4.encrypted after penetration. Once Sadogo finished its major activity, it instantly drops a text file called readme.txt onto your desktop. Extortionists in this note claim that you should download the Tor browser and visit the attached link to purchase a decryption key. It is not recommended to trust swindlers, instead, delete Sadogo Ransomware and decrypt your data by following the guide below.

Balaclava is a ransomware-type family that has promoted multiple variations such as DavesSmith, Michael, and KEY0004 thus far. All of them encrypt files similarly - they scan your device for necessary files (images, videos, text files, documents, etc.) and retitle them with new extensions. For example, after successful encryption, the original 1.mp4 will change its name to 1.mp4.michael or 1.mp4.KEY0004 respectively. Earlier variations of the virus used .[daves.smith@aol.com] and .jerry_glanville_data@aol.com. To inform confused users, extortionists provide ransom information that is located in a note, that can be called either RECOVERY FILE.txt or HOW_TO_RECOVERY_FILES.txt on your desktop. To decrypt the locked data, you should send them an e-mail by attaching your personal identification. Then, you should pay a required fee that may vary significantly (from 100$ to 1000+).

Discovered in 2019, Nyton Ransomware is a dangerous virus that ruthlessly encrypts users' data. Likewise other ransomware, Nyton targets various sorts of files like images, videos, text documents, and others that will be locked after penetration. After encryption, Nyton changes the icons of all files/apps to blank sheets and assigns the .nyton extension. To illustrate, normal 1.mp4 files will be changed to 1.mp4.nyton after restriction. Unfortunately, the decryption of such files is often impossible. Even the best third-parties tools are not able to access the data because developers use sophisticated algorithms that make files unrecoverable. Besides that, once the program blocked the data, it instantly creates a ransom note on the desktop (!NYTON_HELP.TXT) that displays the information about encryption. Another victim's informant is the onion website web page.