RedBoot Ransomware

What is RedBoot Ransomware?

It appears to be RedBoot Ransomware is a malicious file-encrypting program that, besides enciphering your data, can also damage the computer’s system or to be more precise a file called Master Boot Record, which is necessary in order to boot the PC’s operating system. Naturally, without the ability to load the operating system, the computer becomes of no use as you will not be able to perform any tasks with it. However, if you have your Windows boot CD, DVD, or recovery USB, there is a chance the Master Boot Record can be fixed. We will guide users through the fixing process with the instructions available below the article. Also, we would like to stress that if you succeed and the PC can boot again, you should get rid of RedBoot Ransomware immediately. It will not recover enciphered data, but there is no use in keeping it either. Plus, leaving the malicious program unattended could still be dangerous. Users can erase the infection manually while following the rest of our presented instructions or with a legitimate antimalware tool.

Where does RedBoot Ransomware come from?

There are a few possibilities because it is not yet determined what the exact distribution method of RedBoot Ransomware is. Our researchers believe the threat could travel with unreliable email attachments received with Spam or it could be dropped onto the user’s computer manually by cyber criminals who could use insecure Remote Desktop Protocol connections to gain access to the system. Thus, what we could recommend for staying away from this highly damaging infection is to have a strong login password, keep a reputable antimalware tool to secure and protect it, and of course ignore suspicious Spam emails or any emails coming from unknown senders. If the email attachment or any other file downloaded from the Internet raises a suspicion but you still want to open it, it would be advisable to scan it with a legitimate antimalware tool first.

How does RedBoot Ransomware work?

As soon as the malware’s installer is launched, the infection should create a folder with a random name in the same location. Inside this folder, there should be five files that are used by RedBoot Ransomware to block the Task Manager, encipher his sensitive data, damage the Master Boot Record, and display a ransom note. The ransom note is a warning message displayed on a red background. It should say the following three sentences: “This computer and all of it's files have been locked! Send an email to redboot@memeware.net containing your ID key for instructions on how to unlock them. Your ID key is [ID].”

The described message will be shown no matter how many times the user restarts his computer. That is because the infection does not actually damage the Master Boot Record but rather replaces it with an altered copy, which is set to boot the ransom note and not the PC’s operating system. Sadly, our researchers do not think any of the enciphered files can be deciphered because RedBoot Ransomware does not seem to have a place to submit a decryption key. In other words, emailing the hackers might be pointless and dangerous since they could convince you to pay the ransom even if they cannot hold to their end of the deal. If you would rather not risk losing your savings, we recommend ignoring the ransom note and concentrating on how to get your computer’s control back.

How to delete RedBoot Ransomware?

It is impossible to erase the malware if the computer cannot boot the operating system. This is why we will first explain how to fix the damaged Master Boot Record and so the steps showing how to delete RedBoot Ransomware will be placed below the instructions demonstrating how to repair the Master Boot Record. Nonetheless, you do not have to remove the malicious application manually. If you prefer using automatic tools, you could get a legitimate antimalware tool once your computer can boot normally and let it do the rest of the job for you.

Fix the Master Boot Record

Windows XP

1. Place Windows XP CD.
2. Click any key to boot from the CD.
3. Press the R key once you see a screen saying “Welcome to Setup.”
4. Type 1 and tap Enter you are asked: “Which Windows installation would you like to log onto?”
5. Submit your password and click Enter.
6. Type fixmbr once you are asked: “Are you sure you want to write a new MBR?”
7. Press the Y key and click Enter.
8. Click Enter and wait until Master Boot Record is fixed.
9. Remove the CD.
10. Type exit and tap Enter to restart the device.

Windows Vista

1. Boot from Windows Vista CD/DVD.
2. Select your language and keyboard layout preferences.
3. Choose Repair your computer, select the operating system and click Next.
4. Select Command Prompt, type the listed commands in it; press Enter after each command:
   bootrec /FixMbr
   bootrec /FixBoot
   bootrec /RebuildBcd
5. If Master Boot Record is fixed, the user will see a confirmation.
6. Remove the CD/DVD.
7. Type Exit and click Enter to restart the computer.

Windows 7

1. Place the Windows 7 DVD.
2. Click any key to boot into the DVD.
3. Select language and keyboard layout preferences; click Next.
4. Choose the operating system, pick Use recovery tools that can help fix problems starting Windows and press Next.
5. Select Command Prompt once the System Recovery Options screen opens.
6. Type in the listed commands; click Enter after each one:
   bootrec /rebuildbcd
   bootrec /fixmbr
   bootrec /fixboot
7. Remove the installation DVD and restart the PC.

Windows 8/Windows 8.1/Windows 10

1. Place the installation DVD or recovery USB.
2. Choose Repair your computer.
3. Select Troubleshoot and pick Command Prompt.
4. Type the given commands separately; tap Enter after typing each of them:
   bootrec /FixMbr
   bootrec /FixBoot
   bootrec /ScanOs
   bootrec /RebuildBcd
5. Remove the DVD or recovery USB.
6. Type exit and press Enter.
7. Reboot the system.

Get rid of RedBoot Ransomware

1. Press Windows key+E.
2. Check the listed directories separately:
   %TEMP%
   %USERPROFILE%\desktop
   %USERPROFILE%\downloads
3. Look or the malicious program’s installer.
4. Right-click the infected file and press Delete.
5. Locate a randomly titled folder placed in the same directory as the malware;s installer; inside it, you should find files like overwrite.exe, main.exe, protect.exe, etc.
6. Right-click the infection’s created folder and press Delete.
7. Leave File Explorer.
8. Empty Recycle bin.
9. Reboot the system. Download Removal Tool100% FREE spyware scan and
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