Tutorials

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).

Developed by the Makop Ransomware family, Mammon is a dangerous virus that runs data encryption for monetary goals. This is because it encrypts personal data with military-grade algorithms and demands money ransom to be paid by victims. To show that your data has been restricted, extortionists append a string of symbols to each file name (including random characters, cybercriminals' e-mail address, and .mammon extension). To illustrate, the original file like 1.pdf will change its look to something like this 1.pdf.[9B83AE23].[mammon0503@tutanota.com].mammon. As a result of this change, users will no longer be able to access the file. In order to get instructions on recovering data, cybercriminals create a text note called readme-warning.txt to each folder with encrypted data.

Being part of the Phobos Ransomware family, Calvo is another malicious program, which encrypts personal data. The way it does it is by using military-grade algorithms to cipher the files. Along with that, the virus also assigns a string of symbols to each of the files. This includes a personal ID of victims, cybercriminals' e-mail, and .calvo extension to finish the string. For example, a file like 1.pdf will be infected and changed to 1.pdf.id[C279F237-3143].[seamoon@criptext.com].calvo. The same change will happen to the rest of the data stored on a PC. As soon as this part of the infection gets to a close, Calvo creates two ransom notes (info.hta and info.txt) to guide you through the decryption process.

Developed by Phobos family, XHAMSTER is a ransomware-type infection, which runs data encryption. Such does not perform one-way encryption, instead, it offers to unblock the infected data in exchange for the money ransom. When it comes to data encryption, cybercriminals are usually the only figures being able to unlock your data. This is why they offer to buy their software that will help you regain access to data. Before getting deep into details, it is important that we mention how XHAMSTER encrypts your data. Apart from blocking the access, it also appends a string of symbols consisting of victims' ID, ICQ Messenger username, and .XHAMSTER extension at the end of each file. To illustrate, a piece of data like 1.pdf will be changed to something like this 1.pdf.id[C279F237-2797].[ICQ@xhamster2020].XHAMSTER at the end of encryption. Finally, once this process is done, the virus gets to creating two files containing ransom instructions. Whilst one of them called info.hta is displayed as a window right in front of the users, the other named info.txt resides on victim's desktop.

Update errors are quite a ubiquitous thing touching every Windows user. Once upon a time, whoever used Windows regularly would see some issues arriving along the way. It is just the nature of all operating machines, which target the vast majority of users. When new updates occur, it is quite hard to forecast the problems that emerge on different systems. After the problem has struck, it becomes a thorny task to get over without professional and advanced help. This time around Windows has dawned another update problem on users - the error code 0x8000ffff preventing the successful installation of updates. Some users reported that this issue appears when trying to download and install a cumulative update for Windows 10 Version 1709 (KB4058258). Also, this error can be seen when trying to open Windows Store and install apps. Luckily, it should not be hard to solve. More than enough methods listed below will help you get rid of the problem and update your system eventually. So just follow the guided walkthrough presented down below.

With the installation of Cumulative Update (both KB4493437 and KB4499167) for Windows 10 Version 1803 x64-based Systems, some users were forced to witness the error code named 0x800f0900 after failing to install the pending update. Usually, such updates are meant to fix previously existing bugs or errors, however, there are many cases when fresh patches bring new problems instead of solving the old ones. In most cases, users struggle to get rid of the issue for such reasons: missing or corrupted files, malfunctioned services, configuration issues, and other problems prompting the error. To solve it, we have prepared a list of instructions approved in rectifying the 0x800f0900 issue effectively.

Qlocker is a ransomware infection spotted in attacking and encrypting data on QNAP NAS (Network Attached Storage). The virus squeaks through security problems, encrypts the stored data, and clears the log traces during the process. This, therefore, helps intruders to cover their activity and prevent people from detecting the source of infection. Qlocker uses the short .7z extension to highlight the blocked data. Quite interesting is that Qlocker does not touch media files like videos or music in most cases. Its main target seems to be documents and similar types of data that could be valued by victims. During the encryption, all data will lose its access and change the name to something like 1.pdf.7z. Then, after this process is done, the virus creates a text note called !!!READ_ME.txt and containing ransom instructions. The note says that all files have been encrypted. The only feasible way to recover the files is to purchase the private key (in BTC) stored on cybercriminals' servers. To do this, users are asked to follow the Tor page and enter your so-called "client-key". Once you visit the page, you will be able to process the payment and receive the recovery tools. Different victims reported different costs of the keys, but, on average, this amount can range up to 1000$. Unfortunately, trusting cyber criminals means a huge risk to be taken. They can scam you and do not send any promised tools after committing the transfer. Also, it is not recommended to trust some data recovery services claiming they have a way to decrypt your data. Note that there is no official tool that could unlock access to files encrypted by Qlocker at this moment.

Encrpt3d (a.k.a WhiteBlackCrypt)is classified as a malicious program that targets monetary benefit by decrypting personal data. Ransomware might be the most dangerous malware that can get on your system. Its main purpose is to block access to important files and extort money from desperate users (or companies) that want to decrypt their data. Encrpt3d does exactly the same, it encrypts various kinds of data appending the .encrpt3d extension to each file. For example, a file like 1.pdf will be infected and change to 1.pdf.encrpt3d. Thereafter, Encrpt3d Ransomware displays a full-screen image stating ransom instructions (highlighted with red). It is impossible to remove it unless users delete the malvertising program eventually. In the ransom note, cyber criminals say that your files are encrypted, but still can be accessed again. To do this, developers attach a BTC address pending to receive 10 BTC from victims. You are given a specific deadline to complete the transfer. Then, after successfully making the payment, users have to inform extortionists via whiteblackgroup002@gmail.com or wbgroup022@gmail.com email address.