What is the United States Courts virus?

The United States Courts virus, US Courts virus, or simply the Courts virus is a term for malware categorized as ransomware that poses as the United States government, in this case the “United States Courts” alike the FBI virus we discovered in 2012, and displays a fraudulent lock-screen that  blocks access to the infected computer system. The United States Courts virus lock-screen further details that the computer contains illegally downloaded material (MP3’s, Movies or Software). The lock screen that poses as the US Court system then claims that the computer user can unlock their computer and avoid further legal consequences by paying a release fee of $,200, $300, $400, and more within 48 hours by use of MoneyPak cards that can be purchased at Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Kmart, 711, and Rite Aid. DO NOT PAY THE FINE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS COMPUTER VIRUS THAT IS IN NO WAY ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT (Your computer is not blocked by the U.S Courts). PAYING THE FAKE US COURTS FINE (RELEASE) WILL LEAD TO FURTHER ISSUES. To safely remove the United States Courts virus, please use the United States Courts removal instructions further below.

Ransomware computer viruses are very dangerous for reasons concerning cyber criminal activity relating to extortion, credit theft, identity theft, and more. Victims of ransomware such as United States Courts ransomware, have complained of many symptoms relating to the virus aside from not being able to access their computer. Victims have reported excessive email spam, telemarketers, and junk mail. Only to conclude that ransomware may be used to orchestrate secondary objectives, including the collection of sensitive data via Trojan horses used to remotely connect to the system and more. Furthermore, victims have also complained of phishing attempts via telephone in which the scam artists used information collected by the initial infection.

The first version of the United States Courts virus is slightly different from other forms of ransomware, in that the United States Courts virus primarily claims that the computer user downloaded illegal, pirated material, while other forms of ransomware claim the user may have viewed illegal pornography and participated in computer negligence. Other forms of ransomware also call the form of “ransom” collection a “release fee” whereas other forms of ransomware used terms such as “penalty fines.” It seems that this new form of ransomware is learning from older forms such as Citadel Reveton, and have been actively changing aspects of the malware templates content in order to potentially infect more people using more realistic threats… In other words, most people understand that the government of the United States will not simply lock a criminals computer and accept a fine for distributing illegal pornography such as child porn, whereas a lesser crime such as illegally downloaded music would be more understandable.

United States Courts

YOUR COMPUTER HAS BEEN LOCKED
Criminal Case NO. 4:12CV072011

Illegally downloaded material (MP3's, Movies or Software) has been located on your computer.

By downloading or uploading, those files have been reproduced, thereby involving a criminal offense under 17 U.S.C.A. SS506(a) and 18 USCA SS2319 (2)(A)(B).

(a) Whoever violates section 506(a) (relating to criminal offenses) of title 17 shall be punished as provided in subsection (b) of this section and such penalties shall be in addition to any other provisions of the title 17 or any other law. (b) Any person who commits an offense under subsection (a) of this section--

(2) shall be fined not more than $250,000 or imprisoned for not more than two years, or both, if the offense:

(A) involves the reproduction of distribution, during any one-hundred-and-eighty-day period, or more than one ten but less than one hundred phono records or copies infringing the copyright in one of more sound recordings;
or
(B) involves the reproduction or distribution, during any one-hundred-and-eighty-day period, of more than two but less than sixty-five copies infringing the copyright in one or more motion pictures or other audiovisual works.

To unlock your computer and to avoid other legal consequences, you are obligated to pay a release of $300. Payable through GreenDot Moneypak. After successful payment, your computer will automatically unlock.

Failure to adhere to this request will involve criminal charges and possible imprisonment.
To perform the payment, enter the acquired GreenDot Moneypak code in the designated payment field and press the "Submit" button.

Please note: This find may only be paid within 48 hours, if you left 48 hours pass without payment, the possibility of unlocking computer expires.
In this case the criminal case against you will continue automatically.

Your IP-Address:
Your Hostname:

You can be clearly identified by resolving your IP address and the associated hostname.

All of your files have been encrypted, any attempt to unlock your computer by yourself, will result in loss of all your data.

This program is maintained by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts on behalf of the Federal Judiciary.

1. United States Courts virus removal software

1. Install the free or paid version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software.

   

2. Once Malwarebytes is installed, open the Anti-Malware program. If you are using the free version of Malwarebytes you will be prompted to update the database, please do so.

3. On the first tab labeled “Scanner” select the Perform full scan option and click the Scan button to perform a full system scan (pictured below).

4.  Malwarebytes will automatically detect the United States Courts virus and other malware on your computer. Once the scan is complete, Malwarebytes will prompt a message stating malicious objects were detected. Select (check) the malicious objects in the list and click the Remove Selected button to completely remove United States Courts malware from your computer once and for all!

2. System Restore

A System Restore is an easy solution to restore an infected computer to a date and time before it became infected with the United States Courts virus and other forms of malicious software. To learn more please select a link below.

• Windows System Restore Instructions

• Windows 8 Refresh/Reset Instructions