An infection with the dangerous Hermes 2.1 Ransomware leads to serious security issues. Victims can restore and protect their computers by following our complete removal guide.
Remove Hermes 2.1 Ransomware and Restore PC
Manual Removal Guide
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Distribution of Hermes 2.1 Ransomware
At the moment the captured samples associated with the Hermes 2.1 ransomware are limited. We suspect that the main attack wave is currently being planned. It is very likely that the hacker operators are going to utilize the most popular infection methods.
A popular way is the use of email messages which can spread the infection files or link to them in different ways. The most rudimentary approach is the attachment of the virus files directly with the messages. They can also be hyperlinked in the body contents or the signature. The criminal operators have the ability to use payloads which carry the Hermes 2.1 ransomware code in themselves.
Popular examples documents of different types ‒ rich text documents, spreadsheets, databases, presentations and others. The files contain scripts that when enabled by the users download and execute the virus file. In the most typical case the users will see a notification prompt which will ask them to enable the built-in scripts. If this is done the infection commences.
Browser hijackers are very useful when distributing malware of this type. They represent dangerous web browser plugins that seek to infect the most popular applications: Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Opera, Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer and others. Once this is done the victims will find that their settings have been changed. The hijackers redirect the users to a specific hacker-created web page by pointing the default home page, search engine and new tabs page to it. The hacker sequence also hijacks sensitive data from the compromised machines: cookies, images, videos, documents, archives, backups and etc.
Impact of Hermes 2.1 Ransomware
The Hermes 2.1 ransomware is a new iteration of the Hermes malware family. The security analysts note that at the moment the identity of the hackers is not known. There is no available information about their schemes and patterns and it cannot be judged if they are the same hackers behind the previous strains associated with the Hermes ransomware family. If they are a new malicious collective then the code to the core malware family is probably up for sale on the hacker underground markets. If this is so then more versions and updates are likely to follow.
The captured samples seem to display the same mechanisms of intrusion. It can follow any pre-infection sequences which might include the following:
- Trojan Module ‒ It can be used by the criminals to remote control the compromised computers. The hackers can take over control at any given time.
- Surveillance ‒ The hackers can spy on the users. This includes not only their on-screen interactions, but also keystrokes and mouse clicks.
- Additional Malware Delivery ‒ If customized the new Hermes 2.1 ransomware can help deliver additional threats to the victim computers.
- Registry Changes ‒ The Hermes 2.1 ransomware can invoke changes to the Microsoft Windows registry. As a result applications may fail and the computer may experience performance issues.
- Persistence Installation ‒ Hermes 2.1 ransomware can install itself in a way which actively counters and disables any manual removal attempts.
Once this is done the Hermes 2.1 ransomware starts its encrypiton process. In comparison with previous versions complex renaming schemes are no longer utilized. Like other viruses it uses a prebuilt list of target file type extensions. Examples include: images, videos, photos, documents, archives, backups, configuration files and etc. When all files have been processed they receive the .HRM or .RSA extensions. In some cases a random name generator can be used as well.
a ransomware note is crafted in a DECRYPT_INFORMATION.html file which reads the following message:
Language: EN DE FR IT ES
HERMES 2.1 Ransomware
All your important files are encrypted
Your files has been encrypted using RSA2048 algorithm with unique public-key stored on your PC.
There is only one way to get your files back: contact us, pay, and get decryptor software.
You have “UNIQUE_ID_DO_NOT_REMOVE” file on your desktop also it duplicated in some folders,
its your unique idkey, attach it to letter when contact us. Also you can decrypt 3 files for test.
We accept Bitcoin, you can find exchangers on https://www.bitcoin.com/buy-bitcoin and others.
Contact information:
primary email: [email protected]
reserver emai;: [email protected]
An interesting feature bundled into the ransomare note is the built-in scripts. The hackers have bundled music which is used to capture the victims interest. Several language versions are also available (English, German, French, Italian and Spanish). As always the victims should not trust the criminals. They can resort to our in-depth Hermes 2.1 ransomware removal guide below.
Remove Hermes 2.1 Ransomware and Restore PC
WARNING! Manual removal of the Hermes 2.1 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.
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Hermes 2.1 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
Remove Hermes 2.1 from Windows
Here’s a way to remove the program. This method will work regardless if you’re on Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP. Simply selecting the program and pressing delete won’t work, as it’ll leave a lot of small files. That’s bad because these leftovers can linger on and cause all sorts of problems. The best way to delete a program is to uninstall it. Here’s how you can do that:
1. Hold the “Windows” button (It’s between CTRL and Alt on most keyboards) and press “R”. You’ll see a pop-up window.
2. In the textbox, type “appwiz.cpl”, then press“ Enter ”.
3. The “Programs and features” menu should now appear. It’s a list of all the programs installed on the PC. Here you can find the program, select it, and press “Uninstall“.
Remove Hermes 2.1 Virus From Your Browser
Before resetting your browser’s settings, you should know that this action will wipe out all your recorded usernames, passwords, and other types of data. Make sure to save them in some way.
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1. Start Mozilla Firefox. In the upper right corner, click on the Open menu icon and select “Add-ons“.
2. Inside the Add-ons Manager select “Extensions“. Search the list of extensions for suspicious entries. If you find any, select them and click “Remove“.
3. Click again on the Open menu icon, then click “Options“.
4. In the Options window, under “General” tab, click “Restore to Default“.
5. Select “Search” in the left menu, mark the unknown search engine and press “Remove”.
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1. Start Google Chrome. On the upper-right corner, there a “Customize and Control” menu icon. Click on it, then click on “Settings“.
2. Click “Extensions” in the left menu. Then click on the trash bin icon to remove the suspicious extension.
3. Again in the left menu, under Chrome, Click on “Settings“. Go under “On Startup” and set a new page.
4. Afterward, scroll down to “Search“, click on “Manage search engines“.
5. In the default search settings list, find the unknown search engine and click on “X“. Then select your search engine of choice and click “Make default“. When you are ready click “Done” button in the right bottom corner.
2. In the “Manage add-ons” window, bellow “Add-on Types“, select “Toolbars and Extensions“. If you see a suspicious toolbar, select it and click “Remove“.
3. Then again in the “Manage Add-ons” window, in “Add-on Types“, Select “Search Providers“. Chose a search engine and click “Set as default“. Select the unknown search engine and click “Remove and Close”.
4. Open the Tools menu, select “Internet Options”.
5. In the “General” tab, in “Home page”, enter your preferred page. Click “Apply” and “OK”.
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
