Active .SHARK 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 .SHARK Virus Files
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How Does .SHARK Virus Infiltrate the System?
The .shark virus is being distributed using the most popular techniques. The hacker operators typically use email spam messages with social engineering tricks. The aim of the operators is to make the targets infect themselves with malware.
Depending on the configuration the messages themselves can include hyperlinks that lead to executable files or archives that contain the .shark virus malware code. In other cases the criminals can directly send the files as file attachments. Another strategy is the use of infected software installers or documents.
They represent modified legitimate software apps that contain malware code or different types of documents (rich text documents, spreadsheets or databases in the most popular cases) that are sent as either attachments or links. When they are opened a notification prompt appears which asks permission for execution of the built-in scripts (macros). If this is done the .shark virus is deployed to the victim computers.
Victims of the .shark virus can acquire the malware from other sources as well. Malicious files can be hosted on hacker-controlled sites or P2P networks like BitTorrent. The criminals use templates to design sites that resemble legitimate sources. Infected installers, documents or even the malware file itself are delivered to P2P networks where pirate content is usually found.
All sorts of browser hijackers, redirects, ad networks and web scripts can also lead to a successful .shark virus infection.
Infection Flow of .SHARK Virus
According to the initial virus analysis the .shark virus is a descendant of the CryptoMix malware family. This is a popular collection of threats that are being developed by criminal groups from around the world. It is customary for hackers to spread source code attributed to CryptoMix strains on hacker underground markets and forums. It is very possible that the .shark virus release is a modification of a prior malware. As such we suspect that the usual CryptoMix behavior is instituted.
Upon infection the .shark virus conducts several actions as instructed by the hacker operators. Depending on the case this may include any of the following:
- Registry Modification ‒ The victims of the .shark virus will find that the Windows registry can be modified by the malware. As a result some applications may stop working. Abuse can also lead to performance issues.
- Persistent Installation ‒ Advanced variants of the CrryptoMix malware family can perform a persistent installation on the victim computers which leads to a always-on monitoring of the users activities. Such instances cannot be removed manually by the victims, only a quality anti-spyware solution can effectively delete the virus and restore the computers.
- Trojan Module ‒ The .shark virus may include a spying mechanism that can be used by the hackers to both monitor the users in real time and also take over control of the infected machines.
- Information Stealing ‒ Active infections can be used to download private information by the hackers.
- Additional Malware Delivery ‒ .shark virus samples can include instructions to infect the compromised computers with other malware.
Once all preceding actions have been completed in the first stage of virus infection, the .shark virus continues with the actual ransomware component. Like other similar traits it follows a built-in list of target file type extensions that can be configured according to the targets. In most cases the hackers aim to process the most widely used data: documents, music, photos, videos, configuration files, databases and etc.
Once the process is complete all affected files are renamed using the .shark extension. A ransomware note is crafted in a _HELP_INSTRUCTION.TXT file which uses template text aiming to blackmail the victims. Depending on the strain the victims might receive a different version. Example text:
Hello!
Attention! All Your data was encrypted!
For specific information, please send us an email with Your ID number:
We will help You as soon as possible!
DECRYPT-ID-XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
…
There are several versions of the .shark virus, but the most prevalent one is associated with renaming the original names with a calculated hash. This confuses the victims and makes it significantly harder for them to navigate around their drive. This is an useful blackmail tactic as it produces files that have arbitrary names (for example 93O3V34K9RKWO.SHARK).
The detected strain uses 11 public RSA-1024 encryption keys that are used to secure the private AES key. As a consequence the .shark virus can fully automate the ransomware process offline without any network communication. The following emails are associated with the hacking group that is currently spreading the .shark virus strain: [email protected], [email protected] and [email protected].
Only the use of a quality anti-spyware solution can effectively remove all active infections. Once this is done the listed data recovery program in our instructions can restore the affected files in an efficient way.
Remove .SHARK Virus and Restore Data
WARNING! Manual removal of SHARK 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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.SHARK – 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 .SHARK Virus Files
WARNING! All files and objects associated with .SHARK 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
