What is Dharma Ransomware

Important information
Please, do not confuse the .adobe files encrypted by the Dharma Ransomware described in this article with similar files encrypted by the STOP Ransomware, analyzed in another article. These ones can NOT be decrypted, unlike ones from STOP Ransomware. Read the article to understand the difference.

Dharma Ransomware is newer version of Crysis Ransomware, extremely dangerous file-encrypting virus. Dharma uses asymmetric cryptography to block user access to personal files. It uses following extensions to modify encrypted files:

Dharma virus, unlike similar types of ransomware, does not change desktop background, but creates README.txt or Document.txt.[amagnus@india.com].zzzzz files and places them in each folder with compromised files. Text files contain message stating that users have to pay the ransom using Bitcoins and amount is approximately $300-$500 depending on ransomware version. The private decryption key is stored on a remote server, and there is currently impossible to break the encryption of the latest version. Kaspersky and other antivirus companies are working on it, and has decryptor for older versions, described below.

How Dharma Ransomware infected your PC

Dharma Ransomware virus developers still use spam e-mails with malicious attachments for distribution. Usually, attachments are DOC or XLS documents. Such documents contain built-in macros, that runs in the background when user opens the document. This macros downloads and runs main executable with random name. Since that moment Dharma starts encryption process. Antivirus may not catch this threat and we recommend you to use HitmanPro with Cryptoguard. This program can detect encryption process and stop it to prevent the loss of your files.

Download Removal Tool

Download Removal Tool

To remove Dharma Ransomware completely, we recommend you to use SpyHunter 5 from EnigmaSoft Limited. It detects and removes all files, folders, and registry keys of Dharma Ransomware. The trial version of SpyHunter 5 offers virus scan and 1-time removal for FREE.

Alternative Removal Tool

Download Norton Antivirus

To remove Dharma Ransomware completely, we recommend you to use Norton Antivirus from Symantec. It detects and removes all files, folders, and registry keys of Dharma Ransomware and prevents future infections by similar viruses.

How to remove Dharma Ransomware manually

It is not recommended to remove Dharma Ransomware manually, for safer solution use Removal Tools instead.

Dharma Ransomware files:


Recovers files yako.html

Dharma Ransomware reg keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .adobe, .com, .bat or .btc files

kaspersky dharma ransomware decryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .adobe, .com, .bat or .btc files. Download it here:

Download RakhniDecryptor

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.

If you are infected with Dharma Ransomware and removed it from your computer you can try to decrypt your files. Antivirus vendors and individuals create free decryptors for some crypto-lockers. However, there is currently no automatic decryption tool for files encrypted by Dharma. To attempt to remove them you can do the following:

Use Stellar Data Recovery Professional to restore .adobe, .com, .bat or .btc files

stellar data recovery professional

  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.
Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional

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 Dharma Ransomware in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

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.

Download ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

2. Back up your files

idrive backup

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. Dharma 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

mailwasher pro

Malicious attachments to spam or phishing e-mails is 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 very high level of anti-spam protection.

Download MailWasher Pro
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