How to remove DarkSide Ransomware and decrypt your files

What is DarkSide Ransomware

Brought to light by MalwareHunterTeam, DarkSide is a malicious program that encrypts valuable data to demand money from victims. All related networks with data that have been exposed to this virus will be scanned and blocked from regular access. Just like other ransomware infections, DarkSide appends a unique extension at the end of each encrypted file. To be more specific, it appends the personal ID randomly generated for each of the victims. To illustrate, you are more likely to see your files change from 1.xlsx to 1.xlsx.d0ac7d95, or similarly depending on what ID has been assigned to you. Then, as soon as this part of the process is done, cybercriminals create a text note with decryption instructions (README.[victim’s_ID].TXT).

The note states introductory words on how and what kinds of data have been encrypted. The listed data refers to financial, and other reports stored by organizations or firms. The major scope of DarkSide developers seems to be on big companies that can afford to spend large numbers of money to save valuable data from getting published. On average, DarkSide requires about 200 BTC or XMR (Monero) equivalent to be paid for unique decryption software. To process the payment, victims have to access the Tor browser through the link attached to the ransom note. Considering that such amounts are unbelievably high, DarkSide is less likely to touch regular users. Unfortunately, those willing to avoid paying the ransom and decrypt the blocked data at the same will end up desperate eventually. DarkSide Ransomware is well-developed in the technical aspect. It uses a layer of strong algorithms that hold victims from away any decryption attempts. The only solution to avoid the purchase of decryption tools is to wipe out the traces of DarkSide Ransomware and recover the data from backup copies. Despite third-party instruments being less likely to decrypt your data, we are still going to show a couple of general steps that may help you recover some parts of your files (down below).

DarkSide Ransomware page

DarkSide ransom note

How DarkSide Ransomware infected your computer

There is no single way of how ransomware distributes to victims. The range of mostly abused channels usually covers e-mail spam messages, trojans, backdoors, fake software cracking tools, unreliable downloads (installers) from third-party websites, and so on. Most often cyber criminals like to abuse e-mail services. They deliver ostensibly legitimate messages from “legal” companies along with malicious attachments. Most users do not know the risk of danger it bears. Interacting with such content or links may lead to instant infiltration of malware. Extortionists tend to employ famous file formats like MS Office documents, PDFs, executables, and JavaScript files to cover malicious activity. People who lack sufficient experience are more likely to open the content and end up infected with malware. This is why it is very important to stay away from unknown content received from suspicious sources. In order to be more protected against such threats in the future, we recommend you to read our guidelines below. There is a lot of useful information that will help you familiarize yourself with essential security tips.

1. Download DarkSide Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for your 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 DarkSide Ransomware

DarkSide Ransomware files:


acer.exe
README.{random}.TXT
{randomfilename}.exe


DarkSide Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore your files

Use automated decryptors

Download BitDefender Darkside Ransomware Decryptor

Use the following tool from BitDefender called Decryption Utility for Darkside Ransomware, which can decrypt your 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 your 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 DarkSide 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 your 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 DarkSide 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. DarkSide 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.