How to eliminate ALPHV (BlackCat) ransomware from the operating system?

What is ALPHV (BlackCat) ransomware?

ALPHV (BlackCat) is a sophisticated ransomware-type program written in the Rust programming language. This program is used in Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) operations.

Malware of this type encrypts data (locks files) and demands payment for the decryption. Typically, these malicious programs rename encrypted files by appending them with specific extensions. However, since ALPHV (BlackCat) is offered as RaaS - its extensions, ransom note filenames (e.g., "GET IT BACK-[file_extension]-FILES.txt") and their contents - vary due to the different cyber criminals involved.

For example, files could be appended with an extension similar to ".bzeakde" (hence, a file named "1.jpg" would appear as "1.jpg.bzeakde", etc.) and then drop a ransom-demanding message titled "GET IT BACK-bzeakde-FILES.txt".

Screenshot of files encrypted by ALPHV (BlackCat) ransomware:

ALPHV (BlackCat) ransomware overview

At the time of writing, ALPHV (BlackCat) is one of the most sophisticated ransomware programs. According to its developers' claims, it can infect various Windows and Linux operating system versions. This ransomware is highly customizable and heavily human-operated, which is especially important as it is primarily used to target large entities (e.g., companies, corporations, organizations, etc.

ALPHV (BlackCat) malware can employ four different encryption routines, use several cryptographic algorithms, proliferate via local networks (i.e., spread between computers), terminate virtual machines, and so on. It can also end running processes and close files that are open during encryption. The ransomware diminishes victims' recovery options by deleting Windows Shadow Volume Copies and emptying the Recycle Bin.

The ransoms demanded by ALPHV (BlackCat) are exorbitant - ranging from five to six digits in USD (the largest sum was three million). The payments had to be in either Bitcoin or Monero cryptocurrencies (depending on the latter's availability in the region). It is known that threat actors target mainly organizations/companies.

This ransomware also threatened publishing sensitive data stolen from the compromised networks and/or deploying Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks - should victims refuse to meet the ransom demands.

Unfortunately, in most ransomware infections - decryption is impossible without the cyber criminals' involvement. What is more, despite paying - victims often do not receive the promised decryption tools.

To prevent ransomware from further encryptions, it must be removed from the operating system. However, removal will not restore already affected files. The sole solution is recovering them from a backup, if one was created prior and stored elsewhere.

Therefore, it is strongly advised to keep backups in multiple separate locations (e.g., unplugged storage devices, remote servers, etc.) - to avoid permanent data loss.

Ransomware examples

NRCL, Xqxqx, NAME LOCKER, Ndjmu, and Hello xD are some examples of ransomware-type programs. While they way they operate is practically identical, they have two key differences in-between - the cryptographic algorithms they use (symmetric or asymmetric) and the ransom size.

How did ransomware infect my computer?

Malware (ransomware included) is proliferated using phishing and social engineering. For example, malicious software is spread via email spam campaigns. Spam emails can contain infectious files as attachments or download links. These files can be Microsoft Office and PDF documents, archives, executables, JavaScript, etc. When virulent files are opened - the infection chain is triggered.

Malware is also distributed through untrustworthy download sources, e.g., Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (Torrent clients, eMule, etc.), unofficial and freeware sites, and other third-party downloaders.

Illegal software activation tools ("cracks") and fraudulent updates are used as well. "Cracking" tools can infect systems instead of activating licensed products. Fake updaters cause infections by exploiting outdated program weaknesses and/or by installing malicious software.

Threat Summary:

Name	ALPHV (BlackCat) virus
Threat Type	Ransomware, Crypto Virus, Files locker
Encrypted Files Extension	Depends on the variant
Ransom Demanding Message	GET IT BACK-[file_extension]-FILES.txt
Free Decryptor Available?	No
Cyber Criminal Contact	Website on Tor network
Detection Names (Windows)	Avast (Win32:Malware-gen), Combo Cleaner (Trojan.GenericKD.38153014), Kaspersky (UDS:Trojan.Win32.Agentb.a), Malwarebytes (Malware.AI.2115381737), Microsoft (Trojan:Win32/Woreflint.A!cl), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Detection Names (Linux)	McAfee-GW-Edition (Artemis), Microsoft (Ransom:Linux/BlackCat.A!MTB), TrendMicro (Ransom.Linux.BLACKCAT.YXCDFZ), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Symptoms	Cannot open files stored on your computer, previously functional files now have a different extension (for example, my.docx.locked). A ransom demand message is displayed on your desktop. Cyber criminals demand payment of a ransom (usually in bitcoins) to unlock your files.
Distribution methods	Infected email attachments (macros), torrent websites, malicious ads.
Damage	All files are encrypted and cannot be opened without paying a ransom. Additional password-stealing trojans and malware infections can be installed together with a ransomware infection.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

How to protect yourself from ransomware infections?

It is advised against opening suspicious and irrelevant emails. The attachments and links present in these letters - must not be opened/clicked, as they can cause system infections. It is recommended to always use official and verified download channels. Additionally, all programs must be activated and updated using legitimate tools obtained from official sources.

It is paramount to have a dependable anti-virus installed and updated. This software has to be used to run regular system scans and to remove detected threats. If your computer is already infected with ALPHV (BlackCat), we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this ransomware.

Screenshot of the message encouraging victims to pay a ransom to decrypt their compromised data ("GET IT BACK-[file_extension]-FILES.txt"):

Text presented in this message:

>> Introduction

Important files on your system was ENCRYPTED and now they have have "-" extension.
In order to recover your files you need to follow instructions below.

>> Sensitive Data

Sensitive data on your system was downloaded and it will be PUBLISHED if you refuse to cooperate.

 

Data includes:
- Employees personal data, CVs, DL, SSN.
- Complete network map including credentials for local and remote services.
- Financial information including clients data, bills, budges, annual reports, bank statements.
- Complete datagrams/schemas/drawing for manufacturing in solidworks format
- And more...

 

>> CAUTION

 

DO NOT MODIFY FILES YOURSELF.
DO NOT USE THIRD PARTY SOFTWARE TO RESTORE YOUR DATA.
YOU MAY DAMAGE YOUR FILES, IT WILL RESULT IN PERMANENT DATA LOSS.
YOUR DATA IS STRONGLY ENCRYPTED, YOU CAN NOT DECRYPT IT WITHOUT CIPHER KEY.

 

>> Recovery procedure

 

Follow these simple steps to get in touch and recover your data:
1) Download and install Tor Browser from: hxxps://torproject.org/
2) Navigate to:
[removed_tor_URL]

Screenshot of a desktop wallpaper used by a variant of ALPHV (BlackCat) ransomware:

Text presented within:

Important files on your system was ENCRYPTED.
Sensitive data on your system was DOWNLOADED.
To recover your files and prevent publishing of sensitive information follow instructions in "${NOTE_FILE_NAME}" file.

Update 14 June, 2022 - cybercriminals are now attacking Microsoft Exchange servers using exploits targeting unpatched vulnerabilities to distribute the BlackCat ransomware. They are deploying BlackCat via PsExec. Between exploiting unpatched Exchange servers and infecting computers with BlackCat, threat actors steal credentials and exfiltrate other information.

Update 12 July, 2022 - it is known that cybercriminals behind ALPHV (BlackCat) ransomware are now allowing their victims to check whether their data has been stolen and published on a leak page. They are providing websites where victims can use the provided search function to find leaked data. Cybercriminals use this method to pressure victims who have not paid a ransom to pay it.

Update 12 July, 2022 - The data exfiltration tool used in BlackCat ransomware attacks is called Exmatter. Recently, this exfiltration tool has been updated. The updated version only targets BMP, DOC, DOCX, DWG, IPT, JPEG, JPG, MSG, PDF, PNG, PST, RDP, RTF, SQL, TXT, XLS, and ZIP files. It can add FTP as an exfiltration option and build a report listing all processed files.

Also, the Exmatter tool can corrupt processed files and delete itself (if executed in non-valid environments). This tool is also more stealthy and better at evading detection. Additionally, BlackCat is now capable of deploying another malware called Eeamfo, which targets credentials stored in Veeam backups.

Update 1 June, 2023 - Security researches have spotted a new variant of BlackCat ransomware, named Sphynx. This new variant prioritises speed, stealth and evasion. You can read more about it here.

Update 4 July, 2023 - Threat actors are employing malvertising to distribute ALPHV ransomware by creating cloned webpages that imitate legitimate organizations. This distribution method targets popular applications such as WinSCP, AnyDesk, and other programs.

The infection process begins when users search for "WinSCP Download" or other legitimate apps on the Bing search engine. A malicious advertisement for the app appears above the organic search results. Clicking on this ad redirects users to a suspicious website that hosts a cloned download webpage for the app.

Once users click the "Download" or similar button on the cloned webpage, a malicious file, often an ISO file, is downloaded. This file contains the ALPHV ransomware or other types of malware.

ALPHV (BlackCat) ransomware removal:

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Video suggesting what steps should be taken in case of a ransomware infection:

Quick menu:

• What is ALPHV (BlackCat) virus?
• STEP 1. Reporting ransomware to authorities.
• STEP 2. Isolating the infected device.
• STEP 3. Identifying the ransomware infection.
• STEP 4. Searching for ransomware decryption tools.
• STEP 5. Restoring files with data recovery tools.
• STEP 6. Creating data backups.

Reporting ransomware to authorities:

If you are a victim of a ransomware attack we recommend reporting this incident to authorities. By providing information to law enforcement agencies you will help track cybercrime and potentially assist in the prosecution of the attackers. Here's a list of authorities where you should report a ransomware attack. For the complete list of local cybersecurity centers and information on why you should report ransomware attacks, read this article.

List of local authorities where ransomware attacks should be reported (choose one depending on your residence address):

•  USA - Internet Crime Complaint Centre IC3
•  United Kingdom - Action Fraud
•  Spain - Policía Nacional
•  France - Ministère de l'Intérieur
•  Germany - Polizei
•  Italy - Polizia di Stato
•  The Netherlands - Politie
•  Poland - Policja
•  Portugal - Polícia Judiciária

Isolating the infected device:

Some ransomware-type infections are designed to encrypt files within external storage devices, infect them, and even spread throughout the entire local network. For this reason, it is very important to isolate the infected device (computer) as soon as possible.

Step 1: Disconnect from the internet.

The easiest way to disconnect a computer from the internet is to unplug the Ethernet cable from the motherboard, however, some devices are connected via a wireless network and for some users (especially those who are not particularly tech-savvy), disconnecting cables may seem troublesome. Therefore, you can also disconnect the system manually via Control Panel:

Navigate to the "Control Panel", click the search bar in the upper-right corner of the screen, enter "Network and Sharing Center" and select search result:

Click the "Change adapter settings" option in the upper-left corner of the window:

Right-click on each connection point and select "Disable". Once disabled, the system will no longer be connected to the internet. To re-enable the connection points, simply right-click again and select "Enable".

Step 2: Unplug all storage devices.

As mentioned above, ransomware might encrypt data and infiltrate all storage devices that are connected to the computer. For this reason, all external storage devices (flash drives, portable hard drives, etc.) should be disconnected immediately, however, we strongly advise you to eject each device before disconnecting to prevent data corruption:

Navigate to "My Computer", right-click on each connected device, and select "Eject":

Step 3: Log-out of cloud storage accounts.

Some ransomware-type might be able to hijack software that handles data stored within "the Cloud". Therefore, the data could be corrupted/encrypted. For this reason, you should log-out of all cloud storage accounts within browsers and other related software. You should also consider temporarily uninstalling the cloud-management software until the infection is completely removed.

Identify the ransomware infection:

To properly handle an infection, one must first identify it. Some ransomware infections use ransom-demand messages as an introduction (see the WALDO ransomware text file below).

This, however, is rare. In most cases, ransomware infections deliver more direct messages simply stating that data is encrypted and that victims must pay some sort of ransom. Note that ransomware-type infections typically generate messages with different file names (for example, "_readme.txt", "READ-ME.txt", "DECRYPTION_INSTRUCTIONS.txt", "DECRYPT_FILES.html", etc.). Therefore, using the name of a ransom message may seem like a good way to identify the infection. The problem is that most of these names are generic and some infections use the same names, even though the delivered messages are different and the infections themselves are unrelated. Therefore, using the message filename alone can be ineffective and even lead to permanent data loss (for example, by attempting to decrypt data using tools designed for different ransomware infections, users are likely to end up permanently damaging files and decryption will no longer be possible even with the correct tool).

Another way to identify a ransomware infection is to check the file extension, which is appended to each encrypted file. Ransomware infections are often named by the extensions they append (see files encrypted by Qewe ransomware below).

This method is only effective, however, when the appended extension is unique - many ransomware infections append a generic extension (for example, ".encrypted", ".enc", ".crypted", ".locked", etc.). In these cases, identifying ransomware by its appended extension becomes impossible.

One of the easiest and quickest ways to identify a ransomware infection is to use the ID Ransomware website. This service supports most existing ransomware infections. Victims simply upload a ransom message and/or one encrypted file (we advise you to upload both if possible).

The ransomware will be identified within seconds and you will be provided with various details, such as the name of the malware family to which the infection belongs, whether it is decryptable, and so on.

Example 1 (Qewe [Stop/Djvu] ransomware):

Example 2 (.iso [Phobos] ransomware):

If your data happens to be encrypted by ransomware that is not supported by ID Ransomware, you can always try searching the internet by using certain keywords (for example, a ransom message title, file extension, provided contact emails, crypto wallet addresses, etc.).

Search for ransomware decryption tools:

Encryption algorithms used by most ransomware-type infections are extremely sophisticated and, if the encryption is performed properly, only the developer is capable of restoring data. This is because decryption requires a specific key, which is generated during the encryption. Restoring data without the key is impossible. In most cases, cybercriminals store keys on a remote server, rather than using the infected machine as a host. Dharma (CrySis), Phobos, and other families of high-end ransomware infections are virtually flawless, and thus restoring data encrypted without the developers' involvement is simply impossible. Despite this, there are dozens of ransomware-type infections that are poorly developed and contain a number of flaws (for example, the use of identical encryption/decryption keys for each victim, keys stored locally, etc.). Therefore, always check for available decryption tools for any ransomware that infiltrates your computer.

Finding the correct decryption tool on the internet can be very frustrating. For this reason, we recommend that you use the No More Ransom Project and this is where identifying the ransomware infection is useful. The No More Ransom Project website contains a "Decryption Tools" section with a search bar. Enter the name of the identified ransomware, and all available decryptors (if there are any) will be listed.

Restore files with data recovery tools:

Depending on the situation (quality of ransomware infection, type of encryption algorithm used, etc.), restoring data with certain third-party tools might be possible. Therefore, we advise you to use the Recuva tool developed by CCleaner. This tool supports over a thousand data types (graphics, video, audio, documents, etc.) and it is very intuitive (little knowledge is necessary to recover data). In addition, the recovery feature is completely free.

Step 1: Perform a scan.

Run the Recuva application and follow the wizard. You will be prompted with several windows allowing you to choose what file types to look for, which locations should be scanned, etc. All you need to do is select the options you're looking for and start the scan. We advise you to enable the "Deep Scan" before starting, otherwise, the application's scanning capabilities will be restricted.

Wait for Recuva to complete the scan. The scanning duration depends on the volume of files (both in quantity and size) that you are scanning (for example, several hundred gigabytes could take over an hour to scan). Therefore, be patient during the scanning process. We also advise against modifying or deleting existing files, since this might interfere with the scan. If you add additional data (for example, downloading files/content) while scanning, this will prolong the process:

Step 2: Recover data.

Once the process is complete, select the folders/files you wish to restore and simply click "Recover". Note that some free space on your storage drive is necessary to restore data:

Create data backups:

Proper file management and creating backups is essential for data security. Therefore, always be very careful and think ahead.

Partition management: We recommend that you store your data in multiple partitions and avoid storing important files within the partition that contains the entire operating system. If you fall into a situation whereby you cannot boot the system and are forced to format the disk on which the operating system is installed (in most cases, this is where malware infections hide), you will lose all data stored within that drive. This is the advantage of having multiple partitions: if you have the entire storage device assigned to a single partition, you will be forced to delete everything, however, creating multiple partitions and allocating the data properly allows you to prevent such problems. You can easily format a single partition without affecting the others - therefore, one will be cleaned and the others will remain untouched, and your data will be saved. Managing partitions is quite simple and you can find all the necessary information on Microsoft's documentation web page.

Data backups: One of the most reliable backup methods is to use an external storage device and keep it unplugged. Copy your data to an external hard drive, flash (thumb) drive, SSD, HDD, or any other storage device, unplug it and store it in a dry place away from the sun and extreme temperatures. This method is, however, quite inefficient, since data backups and updates need to be made regularly. You can also use a cloud service or remote server. Here, an internet connection is required and there is always the chance of a security breach, although it's a really rare occasion.

We recommend using Microsoft OneDrive for backing up your files. OneDrive lets you store your personal files and data in the cloud, sync files across computers and mobile devices, allowing you to access and edit your files from all of your Windows devices. OneDrive lets you save, share and preview files, access download history, move, delete, and rename files, as well as create new folders, and much more.

You can back up your most important folders and files on your PC (your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders). Some of OneDrive’s more notable features include file versioning, which keeps older versions of files for up to 30 days. OneDrive features a recycling bin in which all of your deleted files are stored for a limited time. Deleted files are not counted as part of the user’s allocation.

The service is built using HTML5 technologies and allows you to upload files up to 300 MB via drag and drop into the web browser or up to 10 GB via the OneDrive desktop application. With OneDrive, you can download entire folders as a single ZIP file with up to 10,000 files, although it can’t exceed 15 GB per single download.

OneDrive comes with 5 GB of free storage out of the box, with an additional 100 GB, 1 TB, and 6 TB storage options available for a subscription-based fee. You can get one of these storage plans by either purchasing additional storage separately or with Office 365 subscription.

Creating a data backup:

The backup process is the same for all file types and folders. Here’s how you can back up your files using Microsoft OneDrive

Step 1: Choose the files/folders you want to backup.

Click the OneDrive cloud icon to open the OneDrive menu. While in this menu, you can customize your file backup settings.

Click Help & Settings and then select Settings from the drop-down menu.

Go to the Backup tab and click Manage backup.

In this menu, you can choose to backup the Desktop and all of the files on it, and Documents and Pictures folders, again, with all of the files in them. Click Start backup.

Now, when you add a file or folder in the Desktop and Documents and Pictures folders, they will be automatically backed up on OneDrive.

To add folders and files, not in the locations shown above, you have to add them manually.

Open File Explorer and navigate to the location of the folder/file you want to backup. Select the item, right-click it, and click Copy.

Then, navigate to OneDrive, right-click anywhere in the window and click Paste. Alternatively, you can just drag and drop a file into OneDrive. OneDrive will automatically create a backup of the folder/file.

All of the files added to the OneDrive folder are backed up in the cloud automatically. The green circle with the checkmark in it indicates that the file is available both locally and on OneDrive and that the file version is the same on both. The blue cloud icon indicates that the file has not been synced and is available only on OneDrive. The sync icon indicates that the file is currently syncing.

To access files only located on OneDrive online, go to the Help & Settings drop-down menu and select View online.

Step 2: Restore corrupted files.

OneDrive makes sure that the files stay in sync, so the version of the file on the computer is the same version on the cloud. However, if ransomware has encrypted your files, you can take advantage of OneDrive’s Version history feature that will allow you to restore the file versions prior to encryption.

Microsoft 365 has a ransomware detection feature that notifies you when your OneDrive files have been attacked and guide you through the process of restoring your files. It must be noted, however, that if you don’t have a paid Microsoft 365 subscription, you only get one detection and file recovery for free.

If your OneDrive files get deleted, corrupted, or infected by malware, you can restore your entire OneDrive to a previous state. Here’s how you can restore your entire OneDrive:

1. If you're signed in with a personal account, click the Settings cog at the top of the page. Then, click Options and select Restore your OneDrive.

If you're signed in with a work or school account,  click the Settings cog at the top of the page. Then, click Restore your OneDrive.

2. On the Restore your OneDrive page, select a date from the drop-down list. Note that if you're restoring your files after automatic ransomware detection, a restore date will be selected for you.

3. After configuring all of the file restoration options, click Restore to undo all the activities you selected.

The best way to avoid damage from ransomware infections is to maintain regular up-to-date backups.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How was my computer hacked and how did hackers encrypt my files?

Ransomware executables are often executed (opened) by victims themselves since they are usually disguised as or bundled with ordinary content. This malware is spread via deceptive and stealthy (drive-by) downloads, online scams, unofficial and freeware websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, spam mail, illegal program activation ("cracking") tools, fake updates, and so on.

How to open encrypted files?

Continued file usage requires decryption. In other words, unless the encrypted files are decrypted - they can neither be opened nor otherwise used.

Where should I look for free decryption tools for ALPHV (BlackCat) ransomware?

If you have experienced a ransomware infection, you should check out the No More Ransom project website (more information above).

I can pay you a lot of money, can you decrypt files for me?

We do not offer decryption services. It has to be emphasized that usually, without the cyber criminals' interference - decryption is impossible. Therefore, third-parties offering paid decryption are likely to be scams or act as middlemen between victims and criminals.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove ALPHV (BlackCat) ransomware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate active ransomware infections. Note that while using an anti-virus is the first step in ransomware recovery - security programs are incapable of decrypting files.

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