BugsFighter

If you did not have the appropriate software to fend off ColdLock Ransomware in time, then your files might be already encrypted with the .locked extension. For example, the original 1.mp4 has been changed to 1.mp4.locked once ransomware stroke its configuration with RSA algorithms. Most of the time, decrypting files with third-parties tools is impossible and may be dangerous for them. This is why extortionists force you to buy their software by following the instructions mentioned in a file called How To Unlock Files.txt that is created after encryption. Unfortunately, buying the decryption key may put your finances under risk because cybercriminal activity cannot be trusted. Instead, delete ColdLock Ransomware to prevent further encryption and try to decrypt the affected data through the instructions below.

Translated as Cipher in French, LeChiffre is a relatively old ransomware-type virus discovered in 2015. Unlike other programs, it encrypts users' data by using Blowfish algorithms (instead of AES). After penetration, LeChiffre does a pure classic, it scans your disk for available files (like images, documents, etc.) stored on the system and encrypts them by changing extensions to .lechiffre. For example, the original 1.mp4 will be transformed into 1.mp4.lechiffre. Newer variations also add a random alphanumerical sequence to this suffix. Thereafter, the program creates an HTML file (_How to decrypt LeChiffre files.html) that is automatically opened in a browser or text file (_LeChiffre_BACKUPVO.txt). The note contains information on how to restore your data. To decrypt your files right now, you should contact frauds via the attached e-mail to get further instructions about the payment. Amazingly, but LeChiffre developers break all standards of typical ransomware and claim that they do not need your files and, if you want, you can retrieve them for free within 6 months. Luckily, LeChiffre has been known for a very long time meaning that the blocked data can be unlocked by up-to-date tools.

Search Maven is an adware-type program that enhances online-shopping by adding various features. The application employs algorithms to display exclusive offers, coupons, and other content based on users' shopping habits. On the first hand, the program is absolutely legitimate and indeed improves your browsing experience by generating better and cheaper deals from other shops compared to rivals. Of course, it can save a lot of time searching for the same products on multiple platforms in favor of a more satisfying price. Basically, It collects the deals and combines them into a structured window. Despite all of this useful functionality, Search Maven can promote dubious ads that redirect users to questionable or malicious domains. These manipulations can push inadvertent infections and put your data under risk of getting hijacked by cybercriminals.

Traffic Junky is a legitimate advertising network that is used by website holders for displaying ads and generating profit. However, if your browser is cluttered with dubious ads without your consent, then more likely it is because adware infected your system and modified certain settings. Most extortionists abuse legitimate networks by inserting malicious banners that contain redirects to dangerous domains, especially those running executable scripts to penetrate computers. They bundle customized software into freeware that plagues your browser with multiple ads, surveys, pop-ups, and other intrusive content. If you think that adware-type does not endanger your privacy, then you are totally wrong. Besides spreading deceptive advertisements, adware-type programs can lead to serious privacy issues since they are often capable of collecting personal data (e.g. credentials, IP-addresses, geolocations, passwords) and transferring them to cybercriminals.

RelevantKnowledge is a rogue application categorized as adware. It is promoted as an "online market research community consisting of over 2 million members worldwide, which provides insight into how its members interact with the Internet”. RelevantKnowledge ostensibly improves browsing by displaying more relevant banners basing on users' preferences. Although this service may seem useful, it is designed to collect anonymous browsing data and sell it to cybercriminals. When RelevantKnowledge is installed, it instantly changes browser settings in order to impose a multitude of ads displayed upon the content of pages. Such ads are more likely to contain redirects to adult websites, fake flash player updaters, freeware, and other malicious pages.

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).