Viruses

Hacktool:Win32/Keygen is a code-name referred to by anti-malware software when the usage/presence of license-cracking tools gets detected on the system. Such tools allow the fake generation of keys to activate licensed versions of software and therefore bypass paying for it. Although keygen tools are not intended to be harmful to users' safety initially, some threat actors may use them to deliver various malware alongside. While the detection and labeling of the cracking tool as "Hacktool:Win32/Keygen" by your antivirus does not always indicate your system is infected with actual malware, it still might be a good idea to perform a thorough scan of your system. Infections that can be distributed alongside key-generating tools are ransomware (software that encrypts data and demands money from victims), crypto-miners (software that stealthily mines cryptocurrency for cybercriminals), banking trojans, spyware, and other types of potentially devastating infiltrations. Having such malware installed on your system may lead to severe privacy problems, financial losses, downgraded PC performance, and other kinds of threats. Thus, if you recently used a license-cracking tool (Hacktool:Win32/Keygen) and suspect your system could be in danger, make sure to read our guide below and scan your system with effective anti-malware software to detect and eliminate possible threats.

Hhee Ransomware is a recent virus developed by the STOP/Djvu ransomware family. This group of developers has developed hundreds of ransomware infections designed to render personal data inaccessible and blackmail victims into paying the ransom. Hhee is not an exception as well. This is type of malware that encrypts the files on a victim's computer and demands a ransom payment in exchange for the decryption key to unlock them. It is also known as DJVU ransomware, as, first versions encrypted files with a .djvu extension. During encryption, it renames files with the .hhee so that a sample like 1.pdf will be changed to 1.pdf.hhee and reset its original icon. Immediately after this, the virus creates a text note called _readme.txt (example in the text box below), which contains file-decryption instructions. Currently, there are only few methods to decrypt data encrypted by Hhee Ransomware and chances are quite low. We provide all information in this tutorial.

Having files renamed with the .karen extension (like 1.pdf.karen) means your system is infected with Karen Ransomware. Ransomware is a malicious program usually designed to run encryption of data and demand money from victims for its decryption. After successfully restricting access to files, the virus drops the README.txt text note. However, unlike the majority of ransomware infections, Karen's text note is incomplete and does not contain any decryption-related information. The file-encryptor also opens a webpage with a field to enter UID (unique identifier), which is absent in the note as well. This means it would be impossible to contact the cybercriminals and pay the supposed ransom to return the data. The reason for that could be that cybercriminals released this ransomware as a premature version to test its functioning and effectiveness.

If you were attacked by the virus, your files are encrypted, not accessible, and got .hhmm extensions, that means your PC is infected with Hhmm Ransomware (sometimes called STOP Ransomware or Djvu Ransomware, named after .djvu extension, that was initially added to encrypted files). This encryption virus was very active since 2017 (.hhmm appeared in the middle of February, 2023) and has caused great financial damage to thousands of users. Unfortunately, there is very difficult to track down the malefactors, because they use anonymous TOR servers and cryptocurrency. However, with instructions, given in this article you will be able to remove Hhmm Ransomware and return your files. Hhmm Ransomware creates _readme.txt file, that is called "ransom note" and contains payment instructions and contact details. Virus puts it on the desktop and in the folders with encrypted files. Developers can be contacted via emails: support@freshmail.top and datarestorehelp@airmail.cc.

Vvoo Ransomware is a conditional name, given by security experts, for the recent version of STOP/Djvu Ransomware, that appends .vvoo extensions to files. STOP Ransomware is a wide-spread, long-living ransomware infection, that has been active since 2017. As it uses RSA-1024 cryptography encryption and online key (in most cases) direct decryption using released decryptors is currently not effective. However, some methods of file-recovery, provided in this article, may help you restore some of your files or even all the data. If your files were encrypted with offline key (2-3% of all cases) 100% decryption becomes possible with STOP Djvu Decryptor from EmsiSoft, featured on the page below. In general, Vvoo Ransomware creates ransom note _readme.txt, that contains decryption conditions, amount of ransom and contact details.

PYAS is classified as ransomware. This malicious piece of software is designed to encrypt system-stored data and hold it hostage to make users pay a ransom. The name of this file encryptor comes from the .PYAS extension, which gets assigned to each affected file during encryption. For instance, a file like 1.pdf will change to 1.pdf.PYAS, and so forth with other data. After successful encryption, the virus drops the README.txt text note that features decryption instructions. The note contains a brief text saying all types of essential data have been encrypted and that victims have to contact extortionist(s) via the Discord platform ("mtkiao129#2443" username) in order to get decryption of files. As a rule, cybercriminals behind ransomware infections seek to extort money from victims – thus, it is less likely that PYAS is an exception. Paying the ransom or providing the sensitive information to attackers is highly not recommended.

Vvmm Ransomware is a virus that runs encryption of data and demands victims to pay a ransom fee for its return. It comes from the STOP/Djvu family that develops and releases a lot of ransomware versions each month. In fact, all STOP/Djvu file-encryptors share almost identical characteristics – they change files with extensions taken from their names and create practically the same note containing decryption instructions (_readme.txt). This ransomware variant is called Vvmm meaning it alters encrypted files with the .vvmm extension. For instance, a file like 1.pdf will change to 1.pdf.vvmm, 1.png to 1.png.vvmm, and so on with other affected data. After this process is done and all targeted files become no longer accessible, victims get to see decryption instructions presented inside the _readme.txt note.

Mimic is the name of a ransomware infection that encrypts access to data, appends the .QUIETPLACE extension, and eventually demands victims to pay ransom for the decryption. This virus is one of the variants among other file encryptors that were developed supposedly by the same cybercriminals. Other versions are known to assign extensions like .HONESTBITCOIN, .Fora, .PORTHUB, .KASPERSKY or extensions consisting of 5-10 random characters. During encryption, the malware will target all potentially important file types and make them no longer accessible by running strong algorithmic encryption. As mentioned, Mimic Ransomware also appends its own .QUIETPLACE extension, meaning a file like 1.pdf will likely change to 1.pdf.QUIETPLACE, and so forth. Following this, Mimic displayed two identical ransom notes - one before the log-in screen and second in a text file named Decrypt_me.txt.