Active .blackmist virus infections can be recovered using our in-depth guide on restoring your computer and data, read our article to learn more.
Manual Removal Guide
Recover .blackmist Virus Files
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How Does .blackmist Virus Infiltrate the System?
At the moment there is a very limited number of .blackmist virus samples available which doesn’t effectively show the main delivery method. We suspect that the criminals employ the most widely used tactics.
Email spam messages are a popular method. The hackers send automated emails that use social engineering tactics that attempt to make the targets infect themselves. The .blackmist virus samples can be included as hyperlinks that lead to malicious instances hosted on third-party sites or delivered directly as file attachments.
Other ways include the creation of infected software installers that are legitimate packages that have been modified to include the dangerous code. Such is the case with documents of different types (rich text documents, spreadsheets or databases) that include scripts. When the targets open them up a notification window will appear asking them to enable the macros. If this is done the .blackmist virus is downloaded from a remote server and executed on the local machine.
Web scripts and ad networks can be emloyed to redirect to hacker-controlled sites that deliver both of these malware types. P2P networks such as BitTorrent are also popular as they are frequently visited by users looking for primarily pirate content.
Browser hijackers are another popular source of ransomware such as this one. They are hacker-controlled malicious browser addons that are made for the most popular applications: Google Chrome, Opera, Microsoft Edge, Safari, Internet Explorer and etc. Once they are installed important settings are changed, including the following: default home page, new tabs page and search engine to point to a given site. As part of the attack sequence the nRansomware virus can be instituted on the victim computer.
Infection Flow of .blackmist Virus
The current security audit of the virus threat shows no correlation with any of the famous malware families. This likely means that the threat has been created from scratch by its creator. The attacks themselves are carried out by an unknown hacker or a criminal collective. At the moment the virus engine contains only a basic ransomware engine. The audit lists that the current status is “stil in development” meaning that the encryption process may or may not take place.
The current configuration can be updated in future versions to include new modules including any of the following:
- Surveillance ‒ A Trojan module can be integrated into the .blackmist virus which will allow the hackers to spy on the users at all times. Depending on the exact configuration the instance can automatically connect with the criminal operators via hacker-controlled servers. In other cases it can be turned on by request.
- Data Stealing ‒ The hackers can download arbitrary files from the victim computers. Such modules are usually used to obtain personal and sensitive information which can be used to blackmail the victims or for trading on the underground hacker markets.
- System Changes ‒ The .blackmist virus can incur dangerous changes to both the Windows registry and the operating system as a whole. The effects of such modifications can lead to application failure, performance issues and other problems.
- Additional Malware Delivery ‒ Advanced malware strains can be used as payload delivery mechanisms for more sophisticated threats. If the .blackmist virus is created for such use then updated versions can carry advanced ransomware and Trojans.
- Botnet Recruitment ‒ Similar ransomware have been used in the past to recruit the victim machines into worldwide botnet networks that can be used to launch DDOS attacks.
- Persistent Installation ‒ Such instances monitor carefully the actions of the users in an attempt to counter any manual removal attempts. When such an infection has compromised the targets the only way to remove the virus is by using a quality anti-spyware solution. Refer to our instructions below for a complete guide.
Working samples associated with the .blackmist virus start the ransomware engine as soon as the infection has occured. In most cases the hackers use ready-made file lists that contain the target extensions. Depending on them the automated encryption process takes place. In most cases the criminals tend to use the most popular data: videos, documents, archives, photos, music, configuration files, databases and etc.
The sample files collected from the ongoing campaign seem to target only files located in a predefined directory: C:\Users\Owner. This shows that the captured versions are still in testing. When the process is complete a ransomware message is displayed in an application frame that reads the following:
BlackMist
Info
DashboardThe Black Mist has consumed your computer, and all files contained within it. Each file has been encrypted.
To restore your computer, you must make a Payment of 100$ Bitcoin to the address specified. You will have 48 Hours to do so. After 24 hours, each following hour will execute the deletion of a portion of your files. After the full 48 hours, all files will have been deleted, along with your operating system.
Attempting to close this application or shutdown you computer will result in full deletion of your files.
Time left: 48 hours.
The note requests the sum of $100 payable in the Bitcoin digital currency. The victims should not interact with the hackers in any way but resort to an effective recovery using our instuctions below.
Remove .blackmist Virus and Restore Data
WARNING! Manual removal of .blackmist Virus 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.
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.blackmist Virus – 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
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– 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
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– 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 .blackmist Virus Files
WARNING! All files and objects associated with .blackmist Virus 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.
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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
