An infection with the dangerous Dharma .money ransomware virus leads to serious security issues. With our removal guide, victims can try to restore and protect their computers.
If you wonder how to effectively remove Money ransomware virus keep up with our removal guide. By the end of it, you will also know alternative methods that may restore .money files.
Manual Removal Guide
Files Recovery Approaches
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Distribution of Money Ransomware Virus
Money virus is a new data locker ransomware that has been released in active attack campaigns against computer users worldwide. The threat could be utilizing common tactics of distribution to infect computer systems.
One of the easiest ways for the criminals to spread the payload of Money ransomware is by attaching it to email messages that are later released in active attack campaigns. The method allows hackers to send the virus to large lists of potential victims. The attachments to malicious email spam messages usually have Word documents or other types of files which users open without hesitation. Once opened on a target host these compromised files trigger the ransomware payload and infect the device with Money crypto virus. Another infection tactic related to emails is hyperlink inserted in the content of the messages. The links are usually labeled as leading to a familiar website or a file of user interest.
Computer criminals behind this new ransomware can be using malicious sites or download portals to distribute malware of different kinds, including Money virus. A popular option is the use of infected documents which may be of different types ‒ spreadsheets, rich text documents, presentations and databases. They are modified to initiate the virus once the built-in scripts are run. Usually when the files are opened a notification will ask the users to run the macros (scripts). If this is done the infection follows.
The hacker-controlled sites are specialist portals that have been created either manually or automatically by the criminals behind Money virus. They can either directly distribute the threat by initiating various scripts or automated operations or link to such instances. Redirects are usually caused by email interaction, ad networks or other browsing activity. However one of the main sources is the availability of browser hijackers. They are malicious add-ons made for the most popular web browsers ‒ Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Opera, Microsoft Edge and Safari. Once installed they not only infect the users with the malware but also redirect the victims to a hacker-controlled site. Depending on the configuration the browser hijackers can also steal sensitive information such as any stored passwords, account credentials, history, bookmarks, form data and settings.
Impact of Dharma Money Ransomware Virus
An iteration of Dharma ransomware associated with the extension .money has recently been detected in active attack campaigns. As previous versions (Dharma .bip, Dharma .wallet, Dharma .combo, and other) Dharma Money follows typical infection pattern that passes through several stages.
At first, its payload could attempt to connect a predefined command and control server or domain address in order to download additional malicious data it needs for the completion of the attack. A possible option is also the creation of these files directly on the system.
The purpose of all activated malicious files is the corruption of specific system components that will enable the ransomware to evade detection and reach its main infection stage – data encryption. One of the commonly targeted system components is the Registry Editor. More specifically the ransomware could plague the Run and RunOnce sub-keys which store information about all essential processes that should be executed on each system start.
Once the system is plagued Dharma .money could trigger the encryption phase. In order to complete it, the ransomware uses a built-in module that contains a sophisticated encryption algorithm. After this algorithm rewrites the original code of target files the information they store becomes inaccessible. Unfortunately, ransomware creators strike where it hurts the most and configure the code of their threats to encrypt commonly used types of files. Thus, you may find all your documents, images, videos, projects, archives, and other valuable files locked.
Corrupted files could be recognized by the distinctive sequence of three extensions appended to their names:
- .id-******.[[email protected]].money
The second one appears to be a contact email provided by hackers. Following encryption Dharma .money displays an associated ransom note on the PC screen to inform you about its presence and extort a ransom payment in Bitcoins. The whole message could be found in a file FILES ENCRYPTED.txt and Info.hta ransom page. Beware that paying the ransom does not guarantee files restoration.
Be advised to avoid paying the ransom as afterward hackers could send you a broken decryption key or even skip answering you at all.
Remove Money Ransomware Virus and Restore PC
Please note that paying the requested ransom fee to cybercriminals does not really solve your problem with Money crypto virus. In fact, you only encourage hackers to continue spreading ransomware of this kind. Instead, you must remove the threat immediately, and only then look for optional ways to recover your data.
Beware that the manual removal of present malicious entries requires quite a lot of computer experience. At the same time, you have to clean up your system if you want to use it securely again. So in the event that you don’t feel quite comfortable with the manual removal steps you could consider the help of an advanced malware removal tool that will locate malicious entries and delete them for you in just a few minutes.
WARNING! Manual removal of Money ransomware 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.
DOWNLOAD SpyHunter Anti-Malware ToolMoney Ransomware 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 below 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 Encrypted Files
WARNING! All files and objects associated with Money ransomware 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.
SpyHunter is a Windows application designed to scan for, identify, remove and block malware, potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) and other objects. By purchasing the full version, you will be able to remove detected malware 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
