District Ransomware
Learn what District Ransomware is and how to remove the computer virus from your computer and recover files affixed with the .district file extension.
What is District Ransomware?
District Ransomware is a computer virus that uses the AES-256 encryption algorithm to encrypt as many files as it can on a computer in order to restrict access to them and hold them for ransom. When District Ransomware has attacked a computer it will seek to encrypt files and affix the files with the .district file extension. District Ransomware will also append an email address to the file before the .district extension. It will look something like this: .ctrlalt@cock.li.district. The email address used in the new filenames extension is one used by the malware author. The malware author insists that victims email this address in order to have their files decrypted.
In addition, District Ransomware will leave a text file named READ_IT.district and/or NO_DELETE_SEND_IT.txt throughout the infected computer. You can typically find the text file on the desktop and every root folder that the ransomware encrypted files in. Here’s an example of what is written in the text file:
You only have 96 hours to submit the payment
Danger: our contacts change every 3 days
Do not hesitate, contact us immediately
Then we will not be available
Attention: if you do not have money then you do not need to write to us!
The file is encrypted with the AES-256 algorithm
Only we can decrypt the file!
Don’t delete “NO_DELETE_SEND_IT” at Desktop
If you want decrypt data, send this file to us
Our email: ctrlalt@cock.li
As you can see, the ransomware uses the text file as a ransom note. The ransom note explains what happened to the files on the computer and how to make a ransom payment in order to allegedly decrypt the encrypted files (the way the malware author wants you to). In this case, the ransomware author or distributor wants the victim to email them at ctrlalt@cock.li and send them a file. It should be advised that paying the ransom will not guarantee that you will recover your files or that the infection is removed and will not appear again in the future.
How to remove District Ransomware
1. Download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software to scan your computer and remove malicious files and potentially unwanted programs.
2. To install the program, click the file you just downloaded. It can usually be located in the Download folder.
3. A window that says “Welcome to the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard” will appear. Click Agree and Install to begin the installation. Once complete, click Finish.
4. Now the Malwarebytes is installed, open the program and click the Scan Now button – or go to the Scan tab and click the Start Scan button.
5. When the scan is complete click the Quarantine Selected button.
6. If Malwarebytes says “All selected items have been removed successfully. A log file has been saved to the logs folder. Your computer needs to be restarted to complete the removal process. Would you like to restart now?” click the Yes button to restart your computer.
7. Next, Download HitmanPro to perform a second-opinion scan and remove any remaining malicious trace files.
8. Once installed, open HitmanPro and click Next to start scanning your computer. *If you are using the free version you may chose to create a copy or perform a one-time scan.
9. When the HitmanPro scan is complete click the Next button.
10. To activate the free version of HitmanPro: enter your email address twice and click the Activate button.
11. Click the Reboot button.
File Recovery Software
| NAME | DESCRIPTION | DOWNLOAD |
|---|---|---|
| Shadow Explorer | Restores lost or damaged files from Shadow Copies | Download (Free) |
| Photorec | Recovers lost files | Download (Free) |
| Recuva | Recovers lost files | Download (Free) | Buy |
Troubleshooting
Alternative methods are suggested if there are issues removing District ransomware from an infected computer.
How to Restore your computer
If a restore point has previously been established on your machine you will be able to perform a system restore in order to restore your machine to a date and time before it was infected. You will lose files on your computer that were obtained prior to the restore point.
There are several options to restore your computer. Most computers have their own restore software that can be found by performing a search. Additionally, computers that run the Windows Operating System have a default restore program that can also be found by performing a search.
A boot screen that can be used to access options to restore your computer can be reached by rebooting your computer and pressing the F8 key once the manufacture screen is displayed.
How to Recover your computer to factory settings
A system recovery (or reset) will recover your computer to factory settings. You will lose the current programs and files on your computer.
There are several options to recover your computer to factory settings. Most computers have their own recovery software that can be found by performing a search. Additionally, computers that run the Windows Operating System have a default recovery program that can also be found by performing a search.
A boot screen that can be used to access options to restore your computer can be reached by rebooting your computer and pressing the F8 key once the manufacture screen is displayed.
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