Erebus Ransomware is a malware threat that uses a hash pattern encryption renaming scheme used for the compromised user data files for which the victims are extorted for a Bitcoin payment. Continue reading our removal guide to learn how to remove existing infections and protect your computer from future threats.
Manual Removal Guide
Recover Erebus Ransomware Files
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How Does Erebus Ransomware Infiltrate the System?
The first Erebus ransomware samples were identified back in September 2015. The primary attack campaigns are targeted against English-speaking computer users.
The operators of the virus mainly use spam email campaigns that utilize social engineering tricks. The goal of the criminals is to make the targets infect themselves by interacting with the Erebus ransomware. This can be done by opening file attachments or links placed in the body of the messages.
Browser hijackers and other malicious add-ons and software can lead to an Erebus ransomware infection. They are frequently found on hacked or hacker-controlled sites. Beware that the virus can also be installed via direct hacker intrusion attempts.
Related: Seoirse Ransomware, .wallet Dharma Ransomware
Infection Flow of Erebus Ransomware
The Erebus ransomware is a new encryption virus that is of unknown origin. The security experts at this moment cannot deduce if this is an entirely new creation or an offspring of a malware family.
The malware features an AES encryption engine which targets popular user files and encrypts them using the cipher and then extorts the victims for a ransomware payment fee.
Each infected host receives an unique hash ID which is appended to the compromised files using the following pattern – {hash}.ecrypt.
The crafted ransomware note reads the following message:
Warning!
Your documents, photos, databases, important files been encrypted!
What happened to your files?
All of your files were protected by a strong encryption whit RSA-2048.
More information about the encryption keys using RSA-2048 can be found here. xxxxs://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSA_(encryption)
What does this mean?
This means that the structure and data within your files have been irrevocably changed. You will not be able to work with them, read them or see them.
It is the same thing as losing them forever. But with our help, you can restore them.
How did this happen?
Especially for you. On our server was generated the secret key pair RSA-2048 public and private.
All your files were encrypted with the public key. Which has been transferred to your computer via the Internet.
Decrypting of your files is only possible with the help of the private key and decrypt program. Which is on our secret server.
What do I do?
If you do not take the necessary measures for the specified time then the conditions for obtaining the private key will be changed. If you really value your data.
Then we suggest you do not waste valuable time searching for other solutions because they do not exist.
Remember that your machine ID:
For more specific instructions please visit your personal home page. There are a few different addresses pointing to your page below:
xxxx://wsb5cxo671abtrsg.j57xi.top/
xxxx://nicc3j2o5rtsllvw.j57xi.top/
If the above address will be unable to open or very slow, follow these steps:
1. Download and install the tor browser.
2. After successful installation, run the browser, waiting to initialize.
3. In the address bar enter:
xxxx://wsb5cxo671abtrsg.j57xi.top/
xxxx://nicc3j2o5rtsllvw.j57xi.top/
The virus targets a total of 423 extensions including the following:
.1cd, .3dm, .3ds, .3fr, .3g2, .3gp, .3pr, .7z, .7zip, .aac, .ab4, .abd, .accdb, .accde, .accdr,
.accdt, .ach, .acr, .act, .adb, .adp, .ads, .agdl, .ai,
.aiff, .ait, .al, .aoi, .apj, .arw, .ascx, .asf, .asm, .asp, .aspx, .asx, .atb, .avi, .awg, .back, .backup,
.backupdb, .bak, .bank, .bay, .bdb, .bgt, .bik,
.bin, .bkp, .blend, .bmp, .bpw, .c, .cdb, .cdf, .cdr, .cdr3, .cdr4, .cdr5, .cdr6, .cdrw, .cdx, .ce1, .ce2,
.cer, .cfg, .cfn, .cgm, .cib, .class, .cls, .cmt,
.config, .contact, .cpi, .cpp, .cr2, .craw, .crt, .crw, .cs, .csh, .csl, .css, .csv, .dac, .dat, .db,
.db_journal, .db3, .dbf, .dbx, .dc2, .dcr, .dcs, .ddd,
.ddoc, .ddrw, .dds, .def, .der, .des, .design, .dgc, .dit, .djvu, .dng, .doc, .docm, .docx, .dot, .dotm,
.dotx, .drf, .drw, .dtd, .dwg, .dxb, .dxf, .dxg,
.edb, .eml, .eps, .erbsql, .erf, .exf, .fdb, .ffd, .fff, .fh, .fhd, .fla, .flac, .flb, .flf, .flv, .flvv,
.fpx, .fxg, .gif, .gray, .grey, .groups, .gry,
.h, .hbk, .hdd, .hpp, .html, .ibank, .ibd, .ibz, .idx, .iif, .iiq, .incpas, .indd, .info, .info_, .ini,
.jar, .java, .jnt, .jpe, .jpeg, .jpg, .js, .json,
.kc2, .kdbx, .kdc, .key, .kpdx, .kwm, .laccdb, .lck, .ldf, .lit, .lock, .log, .lua, .m, .m2ts, .m3u,
.m4p, .m4v, .mab, .mapimail, .max, .mbx, .md, .mdb,
.mdc, .mdf, .mef, .mfw, .mid, .mkv, .mlb, .mmw, .mny, .moneywell, .mos, .mov, .mp3, .mp4, .mpeg, .mpg,
.mrw, .msf, .msg, .myd, .nd, .ndd, .ndf, .nef,
.nk2, .nop, .nrw, .ns2, .ns3, .ns4, .nsd, .nsf, .nsg, .nsh, .nvram, .nwb, .nx2, .nxl, .nyf, .oab, .obj,
.odb, .odc, .odf, .odg, .odm, .odp, .ods, .odt,
.ogg, .oil, .omg, .orf, .ost, .otg, .oth, .otp, .ots, .ott, .p12, .p7b, .p7c, .pab, .pages, .pas, .pat,
.pbf, .pcd, .pct, .pdb, .pdd, .pdf, .pef, .pem,
.pfx, .php, .pif, .pl, .plc, .plus_muhd, .pm, .pm!, .pmi, .pmj, .pml,
.pmm, .pmo, .pmr, .pnc, .pnd, .png, .pnx, .pot, .potm, .potx, .ppam, .pps, .ppsm,
.ppsm, .ppsx, .ppt, .pptm, .pptm, .pptx, .prf, .ps, .psafe3, .psd, .pspimage, .pst, .ptx, .pwm, .py,
.qba, .qbb, .qbm, .qbr, .qbw, .qbx, .qby, .qcow,
.qcow2, .qed, .qtb, .r3d, .raf, .rar, .rat, .raw, .rdb, .rm, .rtf, .rvt, .rw2, .rwl, .rwz, .s3db, .safe,
.sas7bdat, .sav, .save, .say, .sd0, .sda, .sdb,
.sdf, .sh, .sldm, .sldx, .sql, .sqlite, .sqlite3, .sqlitedb, .sqlite-shm, .sqlite-wal, .sr2, .srb, .srf, .srs, .srt,
.srw, .st4, .st5, .st6, .st7, .st8,
.stc, .std, .sti, .stm, .stw, .stx, .svg, .swf, .sxc, .sxd, .sxg, .sxi, .sxm, .sxw, .tbb, .tbn, .tex, .tga,
.thm, .tif, .tlg, .tlx, .txt, .usr, .vbox, .vdi,
.vhd, .vhdx, .vmdk, .vmsd, .vmx, .vmxf, .vob, .wab, .wad, .wallet, .war, .wav, .wb2, .wma, .wmf, .wmv, .wpd,
.wps, .x11, .x3f, .xis, .xla, .xlam, .xlk, .xlm,
.xlr, .xls, .xlsb, .xlsm, .xlsx, .xlt, .xltm, .xltx, .xlw, .xml, .ycbcra, .yuv, .zip
The malicious engine skips the following folders and files :
C:\$recycle.bin
C:\$windows.~bt
C:\boot
C:\drivers
%Program Files%
%Program Data%
%User Profile%
%Windows%
C:\windows.old
%AppDataLocal%
%AppDataLocalLow%
%Application Data%\adobe\flash player
%Application Data%\ati
%Application Data%\google
%Application Data%\identities
%Application Data%\installshield
%Application Data%\intel
%Application Data%\macromedia\flash player
%Application Data%\media center programs
%Application Data%\microsoft
%Application Data%\mozilla
%Application Data%\nvidia
%Application Data%\opera
\public\music\sample music
\public\pictures\sample pictures
\public\videos\sample videos
\tor browserbootsect.bak
desktop.ini
iconcache.db
ntuser.dat
thumbs.db
wallet.dat
In addition to the above the Erebus ransomware also deletes all Shadow Volume Copies of the operating system making file recovery very difficult.
Remove Erebus Ransomware and Restore Data
WARNING! Manual removal of Erebus Ransomware requires being familiar with system files and registries. Removing important data accidentally can lead to permanent system damage. If you don’t feel comfortable with manual instructions, download a powerful anti-malware tool that will scan your system for malware and clean it safely for you.
SpyHunter anti-malware tool will diagnose all current threats on the computer. By purchasing the full version, you will be able to remove all malware threats instantly. Additional information about SpyHunter / Help to uninstall SpyHunter
Erebus Ransomware – Manual Removal Steps
Start the PC in Safe Mode with Network
This will isolate all files and objects created by the ransomware so they will be removed efficiently. The steps bellow are applicable to all Windows versions.
1. Hit the WIN Key + R
2. A Run window will appear. In it, write msconfig and then press Enter
3. A Configuration box shall appear. In it Choose the tab named Boot
4. Mark Safe Boot option and then go to Network under it to tick it too
5. Apply -> OK
Show Hidden Files
Some ransomware threats are designed to hide their malicious files in the Windows so all files stored on the system should be visible.
1. Open My Computer/This PC
2. Windows 7
- – Click on Organize button
– Select Folder and search options
– Select the View tab
– Go under Hidden files and folders and mark Show hidden files and folders option
3. Windows 8/ 10
- – Open View tab
– Mark Hidden items option
4. Click Apply and then OK button
Enter Windows Task Manager and Stop Malicious Processes
1. Hit the following key combination: CTRL+SHIFT+ESC
2. Get over to Processes
3. When you find suspicious process right click on it and select Open File Location
4. Go back to Task Manager and end the malicious process. Right click on it again and choose End Process
5. Next, you should go folder where the malicious file is located and delete it
Repair Windows Registry
1. Again type simultaneously the WIN Key + R key combination
2. In the box, write regedit and hit Enter
3. Type the CTRL+ F and then write the malicious name in the search type field to locate the malicious executable
4. In case you have discovered registry keys and values related to the name, you should delete them, but be careful not to delete legitimate keys
Click for more information about Windows Registry and further repair help
Recover Erebus Ransomware Files
WARNING! All files and objects associated with Erebus Ransomware should be removed from the infected PC before any data recovery attempts. Otherwise the virus may encrypt restored files. Furthermore, a backup of all encrypted files stored on external media is highly recommendable.
DOWNLOAD Erebus Ransomware Removal ToolSpyHunter anti-malware tool will diagnose all current threats on the computer. By purchasing the full version, you will be able to remove all malware threats instantly. Additional information about SpyHunter / Help to uninstall SpyHunter
1. Use present backups
2. Use professional data recovery software
Stellar Phoenix Data Recovery – a specialist tool that can restore partitions, data, documents, photos, and 300 more file types lost during various types of incidents and corruption.
3. Using System Restore Point
- – Hit WIN Key
– Select “Open System Restore” and follow the steps
4. Restore your personal files using File History
- – Hit WIN Key
– Type restore your files in the search box
– Select Restore your files with File History
– Choose a folder or type the name of the file in the search bar
– Hit the “Restore” button
