Remove Babuk Locker Ransomware And Restore Encrypted Files

Tips To Delete Babuk Locker Ransomware

Babuk Locker Ransomware is a deadly crypto-virus which upon getting into the Windows PCs, encrypts files stored inside the machine and then forces victims to pay an amount of ransom for the decryption tool. Being an invasive and intrusive malware, it usually gets into the device silently and soon after, it instantly stops the security software. It was first discovered by security researcher Glacius_ and has already infected thousands of Windows systems all over the world. It locks images, videos, audios, documents, spreadsheets etc. using SHA256 hashing, ChaCha8 encryption, and ECDH key generation and algorithm to secure its keys and encrypt files and renames them by appending “.__NIST_K571__” extension with each of them as suffix.

More About Babuk Locker Ransomware:

Once the encryption process is completed, Babuk Locker Ransomware leaves a ransom note titled “How To Restore Your Files.txt” on each affected folder and informs victims about the unkind situation. The text file also mentions that files can’t be decoded without using the decryption tool that will have to purchase from the attackers. Users are also instructed to contact the criminals via the chat on provided Tor website. At the end, you may have to pay the hackers a ransom amount of $200 to $1500 in BitCoins cryptocurrency to get the required tool.

Should You Deal With The Criminals?

Although, it is true that data locked by Babuk Locker Ransomware can’t be opened without using the decryption tool. But still, there is no need to contact the attackers or pay ransom to them. It has been tendency of such criminals that they often ignore the victims once the ransom is paid or provide rogue software in the name of decryption tool. Paying ransom to such people is never recommended as it will only encourage them to generate and propagate more such infections further revenues.

What Should The Victims Do?

If you are an affected user, first of all you should focus on Babuk Locker Ransomware removal from the computer as soon as possible. For file-recovery, you should use a recently made backup that you have saved on any external drive. Problem here is that many people don’t have appropriate backups. If this is the case with you, you can try an effective data-recovery application. Be very careful while choosing a recovery tool as criminals may try to trick you into purchasing bogus software. You can download a proper file-recovery program via the link provided under this article.

Threat Specification

Name: Babuk Locker Ransomware

Type: Ransomware, File-encrypting malware, Crypto-virus

Short Description: Hazardous malware that locks crucial data and then asks victims to pay the attackers a huge sum of ransom to get the decryption software/key.

Extension:  “.__NIST_K571__”

Ransom Notes: How To Restore Your Files.txt

Attackers’ Contact: Chat on Tor website

Symptoms: Compromised data become inaccessible and useless stored inside the infected PCs, previous functional data now have different extension, a ransom demanding message is put on each affected folder. Users are asked to pay an amount of ransom to unlock their encrypted files.

Distribution methods: Spam emails, peer to peer network sharing, unofficial activation and updating tools.

Damage: All files are encrypted and cannot be accessed without paying ransom, Additional password stealing Trojans and malware infections can be installed along with ransomware infections and other malware.

Removal: To remove this virus from the system, we advise you to use a reliable anti-malware tool. Once malware gets removed, you can recover your files by using existing backup or data-recovery software.

Infiltration of Babuk Locker Ransomware:

Malspam campaigns, Trojans, unreliable file, unofficial software activation tools etc. are some major sources of ransomware distribution. Among them, spam email campaign is the most common one during which, a number of phishing emails are sent by hackers that pretend to be from some reputable companies. These mails contain malicious attachments which once opened, trigger the virus installation process. The attached file are in several formats such as archive files like ZIP, RAR, Microsoft Office documents, PDF documents, JavaScript files, or executable files (like .exe).

So, to prevent your computer from such lethal attacks, it is necessary to avoid opening emails that were not expected to get. These emails are intentionally designed to trick recipients into downloading the attachments which ultimately leads to the malware penetration. In case your device is already infected with this dangerous crypto-malware, you must remove Babuk Locker Ransomware from the machine without wasting any time.

Text Presented In The Ransom Note:

———– [ Hello! ] ————->

       ****BY BABUK LOCKER****

What happend?

———————————————-

Your computers and servers are encrypted, backups are deleted from your network and copied. We use strong encryption algorithms, so you cannot decrypt your data.

But you can restore everything by purchasing a special program from us – a universal decoder. This program will restore your entire network.

Follow our instructions below and you will recover all your data.

If you continue to ignore this for a long time, we will start reporting the hack to mainstream media and posting your data to the dark web.

What guarantees?

———————————————-

We value our reputation. If we do not do our work and liabilities, nobody will pay us. This is not in our interests.

All our decryption software is perfectly tested and will decrypt your data. We will also provide support in case of problems.

We guarantee to decrypt one file for free. Go to the site and contact us.

How to contact us?

———————————————-

Using TOR Browser ( hxxps://www.torproject.org/download/ ):

hxxp://babukq4e2p4wu4iq.onion/login.php?id=8M60J4vCbbkKgM6QnA07E9qpkn0Qk7

!!! DANGER !!!

DO NOT MODIFY or try to RECOVER any files yourself. We WILL NOT be able to RESTORE them.

!!! DANGER !!

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove Babuk Locker Ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete Babuk Locker Ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove Babuk Locker Ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

For Windows XP and Windows 7 users: Boot the PC in “Safe Mode”. Click on “Start” option and continuously press on F8 during the start process until the “Windows Advanced Option” menu appears on the screen. Choose “Safe Mode with Networking” from the list.

Now, a windows homescreen appears on the desktop and work-station is now working on “Safe mode with networking”.

For Windows 8 Users: Go to the “Start Screen”. In the search results select settings, type “Advanced”. In the “General PC Settings” option, choose “Advanced startup” option. Again, click on the “Restart Now” option. The work-station boots to “Advanced Startup Option Menu”. Press on “Troubleshoot” and then “Advanced options” button.  In the “Advanced Option Screen”, press on “Startup Settings”. Again, click on “Restart” button. The work-station will now restart in to the “Startup Setting” screen. Next is to press F5 to boot in Safe Mode in Networking.

For Windows 10 Users: Press on Windows logo and on the “Power” icon. In the newly opened menu, choose “Restart” while continuously holding “Shift” button on the keyboard. In the new open “Choose an option” window, click on “Troubleshoot” and then on the “Advanced Options”. Select “Startup Settings” and press on “Restart”. In the next window, click on “F5” button on the key-board.

Step 2: Delete Babuk Locker Ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with Babuk Locker Ransomware. Open the browser and download a legitimate anti-malware tool. Do a full System scanning. Remove all the malicious detected entries.

In case if you cannot start the PC in “Safe Mode with Networking”, Try using “System Restore”

• During the “Startup”, continuously press on F8 key until the “Advanced Option” menu appears. From the list, choose “Safe Mode with Command Prompt” and then press “Enter”

• In the new opened command prompt, enter “cd restore” and then press “Enter”.

• Type: rstrui.exe and Press “ENTER”

• Click “Next” on the new windows

• Choose any of the “Restore Points” and click on “Next”. (This step will restore the work-station to its earlier time and date prior to Babuk Locker Ransomware infiltration in the PC.

• In the newly opened windows, press on “Yes”.

Once your PC gets restored to its previous date and time, download the recommended anti-malware tool and perform a deep scanning in order to remove Babuk Locker Ransomware files if they left in the work-station.

In order to restore the each (separate) file by this ransomware, use “Windows Previous Version” feature. This method is effective when “System Restore Function” is enabled in the work-station.

Important Note: Some variants of Babuk Locker Ransomware delete the “Shadow Volume Copies” as well hence this feature may not work all the time and is applicable for selective computers only.

How to Restore Individual Encrypted File:

In order to restore a single file, right click on it and go to “Properties”. Select “Previous Version” tab. Select a “Restore Point” and click on “Restore” option.

In order to access the files encrypted by Babuk Locker Ransomware, you can also try using “Shadow Explorer”. In order to get more information on this application, press here.

Important: Data Encryption Ransomware are highly dangerous and it is always better that you take precautions to avoid its attack on your work-station. It is advised to use a powerful anti-malware tool in order to get protection in real-time. With this help of “SpyHunter”, “group policy objects” are implanted in the registries in order to block harmful infections like Babuk Locker Ransomware.

Also, In Windows 10, you get a very unique feature called “Fall Creators Update” that offer “Controlled Folder Access” feature in order to block any kind of encryption to the files. With the help of this feature, any files stored in the locations such as “Documents”, “Pictures”, “Music”, “Videos”, “Favorites” and “Desktop” folders are safe by default.

It is very important that you install this “Windows 10 Fall Creators Update” in your PC to protect your important files and data from ransomware encryption. The more information on how to get this update and add an additional protection form rnasomware attack has been discussed here.

How to Recover the Files Encrypted by Babuk Locker Ransomware?

Till now, you would have understood that what had happed to your personal files that got encrypted and how you can remove the scripts and payloads associated with Babuk Locker Ransomware in order to protect your personal files that has not been damaged or encrypted until now. In order to retrieve the locked files, the depth information related to “System Restore” and “Shadow Volume Copies” has already been discussed earlier. However, in case if you are still unable to access the encrypted files then you can try using a data recovery tool.

Use of Data Recovery Tool

This step is for all those victims who have already tries all the above mentioned process but didn’t find any solution. Also it is important that you are able to access the PC and can install any software. The data recovery tool works on the basis of System scanning and recovery algorithm. It searches the System partitions in order to locate the original files which were deleted, corrupted or damaged by the malware. Remember that you must not re-install the Windows OS otherwise the “previous” copies will get deleted permanently. You have to clean the work-station at first and remove Babuk Locker Ransomware infection. Leave the locked files as it is and follow the steps mentioned below.

Step1: Download the software in the work-station by clicking on the “Download” button below.

Step2: Execute the installer by clicking on downloaded files.

Step3: A license agreement page appears on the screen. Click on “Accept” to agree with its terms and use. Follow the on-screen instruction as mentioned and click on “Finish” button.

Step4: Once the installation gets completed, the program gets executed automatically. In the newly opened interface, select the file types that you want to recover and click on “Next”.

Step5: You can select the “Drives” on which you want the software to run and execute the recovery process. Next is to click on the “Scan” button.

Step6: Based on drive you select for scanning, the restore process begins. The whole process may take time depending on the volume of the selected drive and number of files. Once the process gets completed, a data explorer appears on the screen with preview of that data that is to be recovered. Select the files that you want to restore.

Step7. Next is to locate the location where you want to saver the recovered files.