Kovter Trojan Ransomware – How To Remove

Kovter is one of the most well-known ransomware spread across the Internet. It uses a common police impersonation scam to lure users into payment. Kovter was first detected 2013 and has evolved into an intricate security threat ever since. The contemporary versions use unique tactics in scamming the victims. Like similar malware it uses a Winlocker component to block access to the infected host.

Kovter Ransomware Behavior

Kovter is a notorious malware that has seen extensive malicious use since its inception. The first reports of successful attacks were published in 2013 when Kovter was acting as a police ransomware. During 2014 and 2015 the code base changed as updates were committed and the ransomware conducted “click fraud” attacks as well. The latest evolution of Kovter was reported this year as the malware was updated to a new major version.

Some of the unique features are the ones that are integrated into the police ransomware variant of the malware. Typical distribution sources are identified—malicious clickbait links, fake emails with Kovter attachments or web links leading to executable files infected with the malware.

Upon infiltration of the target host Kovter uses an alternative method of scamming its users. It actively eavesdrops on the users Internet traffic. When an username and password combination or another type of login is executed or a file sharing application is downloading a file, the malware pops up a ransomware notification message impersonating the Police or the FBI.

Social engineering is used as the malware presents information from actual browser history and file sharing applications interaction. Some of the Kovter variants explicitly also scan for user searches of pornographic material and alert those attempts in the ransomware window.

The fact that Kovter uses an algorithm to craft a designed message into scaring the users makes it a formidable threat to unsuspecting users. At its peak the police ransomware stage of Kovter is believed to have impacted one million computers over the world.

In 2014’s evolution of the malware the malicious software added improved evasion detection countermeasures. While monitoring the victim’s web traffic the application also performed click fraud from the victim machines. This was executed using the command line.

In 2015 Kovter became “Fileless”, essentially rendering the malware very difficult to detect. This made the threat easier to spread as it utilized more advanced methods of intrusion. The latest iteration of Kovter encrypts the majority of the users files as usual. However Kovter’s cipher was not very strong making it easy to decrypt.

The latest version of Kovter is spread mainly through malicious web scripts, infected downloads and rogue programs. One of the main sources are actually PDF documents with infected macros. Kovter uses commonly used system files to obfuscate itself: notepad.exe, svchost.exe, setup.exe, patch.exe, update.exe and others. The malware executes malicious script upon infection to encrypt the most commonly used file extensions.

Security experts worldwide speculate what the next update will bring in terms of feature additions and behavior change. So far the top targeted countries with most infections are Hungary, Germany and Poland.

Kovter Trojan Ransomware – How To Remove

Specific Kovter removal applications exist for some of the variants of Kovter. Symantec has published a utility that removes some strains of the ransomware. Download the application and follow the on screen instructions to remove the malware.

Kovter Ransomware Removal

For a faster solution, you can run a scan with an advanced malware removal tool and delete Kovter completely with a few mouse clicks.

STEP I: 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.

1) Hit 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

Or check our video guide – “How to start PC in Safe Mode with Networking”

STEP II: Show Hidden Files

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

STEP III: 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

STEP IV: Remove Completely Kovter Ransomware Using SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

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

STEP V: Repair Windows Registry

1) Again type simultaneously the Windows Button + R key combination
2) In the box, write “regedit”(without the inverted commas) 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

Further help for Windows Registry repair

STEP VI: Recover Encrypted Files

1) Use present backups
2) 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

3) Using System Restore Point

– Hit WIN Key
– Select “Open System Restore” and follow the steps

STEP VII: Preventive Security Measures

1) Enable and properly configure your Firewall.
2) Install and maintain reliable anti-malware software.
3) Secure your web browser.
4) Check regularly for available software updates and apply them.
5) Disable macros in Office documents.
6) Use strong passwords.
7) Don’t open attachments or click on links unless you’re certain they’re safe.
8) Backup regularly your data.