Remove APT Ransomware : Restore .dll Encrypted Files

 

APT Ransomware

Brief Details on APT Ransomware

A crypto-virus, dubbed as a APT Ransomware which requesting it’s victims to pay with the Blockchain or Coinbase that has appeared out into the open, encrypting PC files and adding .dll extension just after it has completed the encryption process. It also drops a ransom message in an .HTML file, named “DECRYPT_YOUR_FILES”. This ransom notification aims to convince the victims to pay a hefty ransom amount in five days for the criminal hackers to be able to decrypt their system files in return.

Even though, it is not confirmed that the malware allegedly uses the RSA-4096 encryption algorithm to render files unusable. But many security researchers consider it to be one of the strongest encryption algorithm, primarily because it uses the military grade encryption strength and unique private and public decryption tools which both have to be used in order to decrypt the files.

How APT Ransomware Distributed Out in Open?

APT Ransomware threat is not believed to be very widespread, but the malware may become in the future, just depending on the resources of cyber crooks and the outcome of operation. In addition, it is widely believed that this ransomware uses phishing e-mails in order to infect the users PC. The virus may be processed through two main different methods:

  • Harmful URLs embedded in the body of junk e-mails which redirects to a drive-by download website and causes infection.
  • Malicious files disguised as a legitimate MS Office or Adobe documents.

The users computer can also become infected through simply opening a suspicious web link, and it doesn't where the web link is posted.

More Information on APT Ransomware

Once already infected, APT Ransomware may be downloaded onto the PC via the assistance of Exploit Kit that caused infection or the help of other threats like a Trojan downloader. After being downloaded, this ransomware may situate malicious files in the key Windows folders:

 
  • %AppData%
  • %System%
  • %Roaming%
  • %Common%
  • %Temp%
  • %Local Files%

After this has been done, APT Ransomware may also create the several other types of objects on infected machine, like registry entries which allowing it to run every time when the Windows starts. The targeted registry entries for this are the RUNONCE and RUN keys, generally located in:

  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion

After having created registry value strings on those keys, APT Ransomware virus may delete the shadow copies or backups on the targeted system by executing vssadmin command in the quiet mode. In order to encrypt the files of an infected system, it may use the immensely strong RSA-4096 encryption algorithm which is also quite risky to implement and it may permanently break your important computer files. This ransomware threat may scan for widely used types of the files.

After the encryption process, the APT Ransomware virus appends the .dll file extension onto the encrypted files. It also leaves a ransom note behind. The hackers demands users to pay a ransom payoff which is 1 Bitcoin onto their BitCoin address, and the attackers also give the instructions on how to make a wallet and buy the BitCoin as well. However, the security analysts believe that paying the ransom money will solve nothing and they strongly advise PC users to delete APT Ransomware and any of its traces from their machine ASAP.

Free Scan your Windows PC to detect APT Ransomware

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Remove APT Ransomware From Your PC

Step 1: Remove APT Ransomware in Safe Mode with Command Prompt

  • First of all disconnect your PC with network connection.
  • Click restart button and keep pressing F8 key regularly while system restart.

F8-keyboard

  • You will see “Windows Advanced Options Menu” on your computer screen.

Windows Advanced Options Menu

  • Select “Safe Mode with Command Prompt” and press Enter key.

safe mode with command promt

  • You must login your computer with Administrator account for full privilege.

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  • Once the Command Prompt appears then type rstrui.exe and press Enter

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  • Now follow the prompts on your screen to complete system restore.

Step 2: Remove APT Ransomware using MSConfig in Safe Mode:

  • Power off your computer and restart again.
  • While booting press the “F8 key” continuously to open “Windows Advanced Options Menu”.

F8-keyboard

  • Use the arrow keys to select “Safe Mode” option and press Enter key.

Safe mode

  • Once system get started go to Start menu. Type “msconfig” in the search box and launch the application.

msconfig01

  • Go to the Startup tab and look for files from %AppData% or %Temp% folders using rundll32.exe. See an example below:

C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe C:\Users\username\appdata\local\temp\regepqzf.dll,H1N1

  • Disable all the malicious entries and save the changes.
  • Now restart your computer normally.

Step 3 : Kill Malicious Process Related To APT Ransomware

  • Press Alt+Ctrl+Del buttons together.

ctrl+alt+del

  • It will open the Task manager on your screen.
  • Go to Process Tab and find APT Ransomware related process.
  • Click the End Process Now button to stop the running process.

Step 4 : Remove APT Ransomware Virus From Registry Entry

  • Press “Windows + R” key together to open Run Box.

Win+R

  • Type “regedit” and click OK button.

Type-regedit-to-open-registry

  • Find and remove APT Ransomware related entries.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\Run

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Runonce

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\Run

Now hopefully you have completely removed the APT Ransomware virus from your computer. If you are still get ransom message from the threat or unable to access your files, then it means that virus still remain into your computer. In such situation you don’t have any other option except removing this virus using any powerful malware removal tool.

Whereas if you have any backup of your infected or encrypted files, then you can also reinstall your Windows OS. This will erase all your files and data as along with the APT Ransomware infection. You will get a completely empty computer system with no files. Now you can use your backup to get your files. If you don’t have any backup then using malware removal tool is a better option for you.

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If you have any query or question regarding your computer, then you can easily ask your problem to our experts. Go to the Ask Any Question page and get the answer for your query directly from out experts.

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