Tutorials

Planetary Ransomware is harmful file-encrypting virus, that blocks access to user's files by encoding them and adding .mira, .yum, .neptune or .pluto extensions. After encryption malware developers extort ransom to be paid in bitcoins. Planetary Ransomware creates ransom note called !!!READ_IT!!!.txt, where decryption routine and contact information are described. As our experience shows, ransom varies between $500 and $1500. Malefactors send cryptocurrency wallets to receive payment in Bitcoins or Ethereum. There are no way to track the payments, as such wallets are anonymous. Of course, we never advise to pay the ransom, as there are many cases when hackers don't send master keys or decryptors. There is still a chance decryption tool will be released by antivirus companies or security enthusiasts.

STOP Ransomware (DJVU Ransomware) is high-risk widespread encryption virus, that first appeared near 1 year ago. It experienced several visual and technical changes throughout the time. In this tutorial we will analyse recent versions of this dangerous malware. In April of 2019, STOP Ransomware started to add following extensions to encrypted files: .browec, .guvara, .etols, .grovat or .grovas. They are sometimes called "Browec Ransomware", "Guvara Ransomware", "Etols Ransomware", "Grovas Ransomware" and "Grovat Ransomware" respectively. Virus also modifies the hosts file to block Windows updates, antivirus programs, and sites related to security news or offering security solutions. The process of infection also looks like installing of Windows updates, malware shows fake window, that imitates update process.

STOP Ransomware is large family of encryption viruses with over than a year history. It has undergone multiple visual and technical modifications during the time. This article will describe peculiar properties of latest versions of this malware. Since the end of March, STOP Ransomware started to add following extensions to encrypted files: .raldug, .refols, .roland, .tronas or .trosak. The cost of decryption of files encrypted by STOP Ransomware is $980 (or for $490, if ransom is paid within 72 hours). Hackers should send special decryption tool, that will decode affected files. However, we must warn the victims, that malefactors often don't keep promises, and don't send the decoder. We recommend you to remove active infection of STOP Ransomware and use decryption tools available. STOPDecrypter is capable of decryption of .raldug, .refols, .roland, .tronas or .trosak files. You can also try manual guide in this article to attempt restoring files.

Notorious STOP Ransomware continues its distribution with minor modifications. Since the end of February 2019, new extensions appeared: .kropun, .kropun1, .kroput or .kroput1. At the same time, it distributes the AZORult trojan-stealer, which steals confidential information. It is capable of stealing various user data: information from files, browser history, passwords, cookies, online banking credentials, crypto-currency wallets, and more. Virus modifies the hosts file to block Windows updates, antivirus programs, and sites related to security news, selling antivirus software. This version of STOP Ransomware still uses following e-mail addresses: blower@india.com and blower@firemail.cc.

Promos Ransomware is another generation of STOP Ransomware family from the same authors. This virus aims important user's files, such as documents, photos, databases, music, mail. Ransomware encodes them with AES encryption and adds .promos, .promoz,.promock, .promorad, .promorad2 or .promok extensions to affected files. All these variations use similar algorithms, however, to this moment only .promos files encrypted by STOP Ransomware can be decrypted using STOPDecrypter (provided below). Authors of Promos Ransomware promise to send decryption tool for encrypted files in exchange for $980 (or for $490, if ransom is paid within 72 hours). We must warn the victims, that malefactors often don't keep promises, and cheat users without sending a decoder. We recommend you to remove active infection of STOP Ransomware and use decryption tools available for .promos files. Keep encrypted files, that cannot be decrypted yet (.promoz, .promok, .promock, .promorad), to the moment, when decryption tool will be updated. Now you should try manual guide in this article to restore files. Usage of file-recovery software can also help users return some copies of files, that were removed earlier.