What is Coronavirus Ransomware?
As the world is busy while trying to fight the Coronavirus (COVID-19), hackers are creating threats like Coronavirus Ransomware. This malicious application encrypts its victim’s files with a robust encryption algorithm and then displays a note saying that he has to pay to get decryption tools. Our researchers say that the malware could be spread through unreliable websites or messages. Thus, unlike the actual Coronavirus that spreads from person to person, Coronavirus Ransomware does not travel from one infected computer to another. If you want to learn more about it, we invite you to read our full article. Also, at the end of it, you can find out prepared deletion instructions that show how you could erase this malware manually. However, we should stress that it might be safer to leave this task to a legitimate antimalware tool.
Where does Coronavirus Ransomware come from?
As mentioned earlier, Coronavirus Ransomware does not spread like a virus. Like most of such threats, it could be sent to victims via spam emails. Such messages might use forged email addresses to make it seem as if they are coming from well-known companies or other legit sources. Also, the malicious installers attached to hackers’ emails might seem like text document or pictures, so targeted users might not suspect anything.
Knowing this, we advise not to interact with any attachments or links if such content comes from unknown sources or if you did not expect to receive it. In such cases, we recommend inspecting the message or links added to it carefully and to scan attached files with a legitimate antimalware tool. Also, the threat’s installers could be shared via P2P file sharing websites, which is why it would be a good idea to avoid such sites or scan the content downloaded from them too.
How does Coronavirus Ransomware work?
It does not look like Coronavirus Ransomware needs to create any files before it can start the encryption process. Meaning, the malicious application might start encrypting files as soon as it gets launched. Researchers say that it could be after victims’ photos, videos, various types of documents, and other files that could be valuable. After they get encrypted, your files should be marked with a specific extension that ought to appear at the beginning of a file’s title. For example, a document called text.doc would become coronaVi2022@protonmail.ch___text.doc if it gets encrypted.
Next, Coronavirus Ransomware should create a text file containing a message that starts with: “CORONAVIRUS is there. All your file are crypted. Your computer is temporarily blocked on several levels.” The rest of it should explain that a user would have to pay 0.008 Bitcoins to get decryption tools and send his unique ID number mentioned on the ransom note to the malware’s creators’ email address. It is important to understand that you cannot be sure that hackers will hold on to their end of the deal. Meaning, they could trick you and you could lose your money for nothing. Naturally, if you want to avoid being scammed at all costs, you should not put up with any demands.
How to erase Coronavirus Ransomware?
It is advisable to erase Coronavirus Ransomware’s installer as keeping it on your system could be unsafe. For example, you could accidentally launch it again after some time. The instructions available below explain how you could delete it manually. If the process seems too complicated, we recommend getting a legitimate antimalware tool that would eliminate Coronavirus Ransomware for you.
Eliminate Coronavirus Ransomware
- Tap Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
- Open Task Manager and click on Processes.
- Find a process belonging to the malware.
- Select it and click End Task.
- Close Task Manager.
- Press Windows key+E.
- Search these directories:
%USERPROFILE%\Desktop
%USERPROFILE%\Downloads
%TEMP% - Look for the malware’s installer (could be any recently obtained file), right-click the malicious file, and press Delete.
- Search for a document called CoronaVirus.txt or similarly, right-click it and press Delete.
- Exit File Explorer.
- Empty Recycle Bin.
- Restart the computer.
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