What is Katyusha Ransomware and how do I remove it?
Katyusha Ransomware
Learn what Katyusha ransomware is and how to remove the computer virus from your computer and recover files encrypted and given the .katyusha file extension.
What is Katyusha Ransomware?
Katyusha is a file extension associated with a variant of ransomware that encrypts files on a computer using military grade encryption algorithms, affixes the .katyusha file extension to the end of the filenames, and drops a text file named _how_to_decrypt_you_files.txt on the desktop and every drive’s root folder.
Here’s an example of what is written in the text file:
=====================================HOW TO DECRYPT YOU FILES====================================
All your documents, photos, databases and other important personal files were encrypted!!
Please send 0.5 bitcoins to my wallet address: 3ALmvAWLEothnMF5BjckAFaKB5S6zan9PK
If you paid, send the ID and IDKEY to my email: kts2018@protonmail.com
I will give you the key and tool
If there is no payment within three days
we will no longer support decryption
If you exceed the payment time, your data will be open to the public download
We support decrypting the test file.
Send two small than 2 MB files to the email address: kts2018@protonmail.comYour ID:[redacted 8 numbers]
Your IDKEY:
================================================================================
[redacted 0x100 bytes in base64]================================================================================
Payment site https://www.bithumb.com/
Payment site http://www.coinone.com/
Payment site https://www.gopax.co.kr/
Payment site http://www.localbitcoins.com/Officail Mail:kts2018@protonmail.com
Katyusha ransomware uses the text file as a ransom note so that it can explain to the victim what happened to their files and how to make a ransom payment in order to allegedly decrypt the encrypted files (the way the malware author wants you to). It should be noted 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.
As previously mentioned, Katyusha ransomware removes shadow copies of files and disables the Windows recovery and repair functions during the boot phase using commands. These are the commands used by the ransomware to perform such a task:
cmd.exe / c wbadmin DELETE SYSTEMSTATEBACKUP wbadmin.exe wbadmin DELETE SYSTEMSTATEBACKUP cmd.exe / c wmic SHADOWCOPY DELETE WMIC.exe wmic SHADOWCOPY DELETE cmd.exe vssadmin Delete Shadows / All / Quiet vssadmin.exe vssadmin Delete Shadows / All / Quiet cmd.exe / c bcdedit / set {default} recoveryenabled No bcdedit.exe bcdedit / set {default} recoveryenabled No cmd.exe / c bcdedit / set { default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures bcdedit.exe bcdedit / set {default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures ID
How to remove Katyusha 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 Katyusha 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.