How to remove BlackByteNT Ransomware and decrypt .blackbytent files

What is BlackByteNT Ransomware

BlackByteNT is a recently-discovered ransomware infection. After the system gets infiltrated with it, all potentially important file types will become inaccessible due to full-fledged encryption. In addition to encrypting access to data, the file encryptor also replaces original filenames with a random string of characters and the .blackbytent extension at the end. For instance, a file like 1.pdf will change to something like dnoJJlc=.blackbytent and lose its original icon as well. The last important part of the ransomware is BB_Readme_[random_string].txt – a ransom note that contains decryption guidelines.

Cybercriminals say the data has been encrypted and exfiltrated to their servers. In order to return access and prevent data from ending up leaked, victims are demanded to cooperate with the extortionists and follow the information presented through the TOR link provided within the note. Should victims delay communication, the price for decryption will rise higher, and within 4 days of inaction, victims will no longer be able to use the decryption services of cyber criminals. Lastly, cyber-crooks warn victims against using third-party decryption tools assuming there is a risk of damaging them and therefore losing the possibility of ever decrypting them.

As a rule, trusting cybercriminals and paying the ransom is not recommended due to the risk of ending up fooled and not receiving any promised decryption tools/keys/services. Unfortunately, despite this, ransomware developers are usually the only figures having access to the right decryption keys. Sometimes it is possible to run independent decryption using third-party tools or Windows shadow copies, however, this happens only in rare cases when ransomware contains flaws or accidentally failed to encrypt the data the way it was intended to. At the time of writing this article, no third-party tools are capable of cracking the ciphers generated by BlackByteNT Ransomware. The truth is that this is not only the case with BlackByteNT. Countless other ransomware attacks remain irreversible unless victims have access to backups. Thus, the only ways to recover your data are either by collaborating with ransomware developers or retrieving data from existing backup copies. Backups are copies of data stored on external devices such as USB drives, external hard drives, or SSDs.

It is always safer to use backups copies instead of paying the attackers. As was mentioned before, paying cybercriminals is always a risk and does not fully guarantee the receiving of promised keys/tools. Though, the only downside of this is that swindlers may sell or publish your data and damage your reputation. We advise you to create regular backups so that your data can be recovered in case of unexpected loss or ransomware infection. If you are going to recover your data without the involvement of cyber-swindlers, it is essential to delete the ransomware virus from your system so that it does not impact other files or spread to neighboring systems. Even if you choose to collaborate with them to decrypt files, it is still pertinent to make sure the ransomware is removed from the system later on. Use our guide to remove BlackByteNT Ransomware and protect your system against such threats in the future.

How BlackByteNT Ransomware infected your computer

There is a number of channels that can unlock the path for ransomware into a system – among the most known are phishing e-mail letters, unprotected RDP configuration, infected software installers (pirated or cracked), exploit kits, trojans, fake updates/license cracking tools, unreliable ads, backdoors, keyloggers, and other dubious channels. More often than not such channels make inexperienced/naive users download and open some malicious file or link. To illustrate, there are malicious e-mails that disguise harmful attachments as legitimate and genuine files, such as .DOCX, .XLSX, .PDF, .EXE, .ZIP, .RAR, or .JS. And by camouflaging themselves under trustworthy organizations (e.g., delivery companies, tax authorities, banks, and so forth), they seem legitimate and increase the likelihood of tricking victims.

We highly recommend you be careful on the web by avoiding interaction with shady download resources, torrent-sharing websites, dubious ads, potentially malicious attachments/links, and other types of content that may seem suspicious or compromised. Make sure to download software only from official, trusted, and non-pirated resources. Follow our article below where we help victims deal with ransomware attacks and establish protection against such ramifications in the future experience.

1. Download BlackByteNT Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .blackbytent files
3. Recover encrypted files with Stellar Data Recovery Professional
4. Restore encrypted files with Windows Previous Versions
5. Restore files with Shadow Explorer
6. How to protect from threats like BlackByteNT Ransomware

BlackByteNT Ransomware files:


BB_Readme_[random_string].txt
{randomname}.exe


BlackByteNT Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .blackbytent files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .blackbytent files. Download it here:

There is no purpose to pay the ransom because there is no guarantee you will receive the key, but you will put your bank credentials at risk.

Dr.Web Rescue Pack

Famous antivirus vendor Dr. Web provides free decryption service for the owners of its products: Dr.Web Security Space or Dr.Web Enterprise Security Suite. Other users can ask for help in the decryption of .blackbytent files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analyzing files will be performed free of charge and if files are decryptable, all you need to do is purchase a 2-year license of Dr.Web Security Space worth $120 or less. Otherwise, you don’t have to pay.

If you are infected with BlackByteNT Ransomware and removed from your computer you can try to decrypt your files. Antivirus vendors and individuals create free decryptors for some crypto-lockers. To attempt to decrypt them manually you can do the following:

Use Stellar Data Recovery Professional to restore .blackbytent files

1. Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
2. Click Recover Data button.
3. Select type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
4. Choose location where you would like to restore files from and click Scan button.
5. Preview found files, choose ones you will restore and click Recover.

Using Windows Previous Versions option:

1. Right-click on infected file and choose Properties.
2. Select Previous Versions tab.
3. Choose particular version of the file and click Copy.
4. To restore the selected file and replace the existing one, click on the Restore button.
5. In case there is no items in the list choose alternative method.

Using Shadow Explorer:

1. Download Shadow Explorer program.
2. Run it and you will see screen listing of all the drives and the dates that shadow copy was created.
3. Select the drive and date that you want to restore from.
4. Right-click on a folder name and select Export.
5. In case there are no other dates in the list, choose alternative method.

If you are using Dropbox:

1. Login to the DropBox website and go to the folder that contains encrypted files.
2. Right-click on the encrypted file and select Previous Versions.
3. Select the version of the file you wish to restore and click on the Restore button.

How to protect computer from viruses, like BlackByteNT Ransomware , in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Dashboard

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Alert

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Blocked

Famous antivirus brand ZoneAlarm by Check Point released a comprehensive tool, that will help you with active anti-ransomware protection, as an additional shield to your current protection. The tool provides Zero-Day protection against ransomware and allows you to recover files. ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware is compatible with all other antiviruses, firewalls, and security software except ZoneAlarm Extreme (already shipped with ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware) or Check Point Endpoint products. The killer features of this application are: automatic file recovery, overwrite protection that instantly and automatically recovers any encrypted files, file protection that detects and blocks even unknown encryptors.

2. Back up your files

As an additional way to save your files, we recommend online backup. Local storage, such as hard drives, SSDs, flash drives, or remote network storage can be instantly infected by the virus once plugged in or connected to. BlackByteNT Ransomware uses some techniques to exploit this. One of the best services and programs for easy automatic online backup is iDrive. It has the most profitable terms and a simple interface. You can read more about iDrive cloud backup and storage here.

3. Do not open spam e-mails and protect your mailbox

Malicious attachments to spam or phishing e-mails are the most popular method of ransomware distribution. Using spam filters and creating anti-spam rules is good practice. One of the world leaders in anti-spam protection is MailWasher Pro. It works with various desktop applications and provides a very high level of anti-spam protection.