HELP_YOUR_FILES Ransomware

What is HELP_YOUR_FILES?

Recently, a new version of CryptoWall ransomware has been released. This is not the first update to this ransomware - cyber criminals have released a fourth version also known as HELP_YOUR_FILES ransomware.

This new file-encrypting malware not only changes the extensions of files stored on the computer, but also changes the names to prevent victims recognizing them (example of an encrypted file name: '8354no9f.7gt8'). After HELP_YOUR_FILE has encrypted victim data, it demands payment of a $700 (1.79 Bitcoins) ransom.

If the user does not pay within a given time frame, the ransom doubles to $1400 or €1400 (3.58 BTC). Information about the payment (time frame, consequences of not paying the ransom, attempts to decrypt using third party software, step-by-step payment instructions, etc.) is stored in HELP_YOUR_FILES.PNG, HELP_YOUR_FILES.TXT, and HELP_YOUR_FILES.HTML files, which are generated in each directory containing encrypted data.

HELP_YOUR_FILES uses the RC4 encryption method. As with the previous versions of CryptoWall, this ransomware infiltrates Explorer.exe, and then deletes all Shadow Volume Copies, disables System Restore, and turns off Windows Startup Repair using bcdedit.

Although the ransomware is easy to remove, decrypting affected files without paying the ransom is impossible - the key required for decryption is stored on HELP_YOUR_FILES command-and-control servers, which are managed by cyber criminals. The only way to solve this problem is to restore your data from a backup.

The existence of computer viruses such as HELP_YOUR_FILES, CTB Locker, CryptoLocker, TeslaCrypt, and CryptorBit presents a strong case for maintaining regular backups of your files. Paying the ransom supports the malicious business of cyber criminals. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that the files will ever be decrypted.

Be aware that HELP_YOUR_FILES is distributed using malicious email messages with bogus attachments - zipped files supposedly containing resumes, shipping information, etc, The attachments are JavaScript files that (when executed) download other infectious executable files, storing them in a Windows %Temp% folder and then running them.

Most ransomware viruses are distributed using fake downloads (for example, torrents, fake software updates, etc.). For this reason, be cautious when downloading files from untrusted sources. Use a legitimate anti-virus or anti-spyware suite and keep all installed applications up-to-date.

HELP_YOUR_FILES ransomware additional information regarding data encryption:

Text presented in HELP_YOUR_FILES.PNG, HELP_YOUR_FILES.TXT and HELP_YOUR_FILES.HTML files:

Cannot you find the files you need? Is the content of the files that you have watched not readable? It is normal because the files’ names, as well as the data in your files have been encrypted. Congratulations!!! You have become a part of large community of CryptoWall. If you are reading this text that means that the software CryptoWall has removed from your computer.
What is encryption? Encryption is a reversible transformation of information in order to connect it from unauthorised persons but providing at the same time access to it for authorised users. To become an authorised user and make the process truly reversible i.e to be able to decrypt your files you need to have a special private key. In addition to the private key you need the decryption software with which you can decrypt your files and return everything in its place. I almost understood but what do I have to do? The first thing you should do is to read the instructions to the end. Your files have been encrypted with the CryptoWall software; the instructions that you find in folders with encrypted files are not viruses, they are you helpers. After reading this text 100% of people turn to a search engine with the word CryptoWall where you’ll find a lot of thoughts, advice and instructions. Think logically - we are the ones who closed the lock on your files and we are the only ones who have this mysterious key to open them. Any of your attempts to restore you files with the third-party tools can be fatal for encrypted files. The fact that changing data within the encrypted files (as 100% of software to restore files do this, except the special decryption software) you break damage to the files and it will be impossible to decrypt the files. This is the same as to collect a mosaic when some mosaics items were lost, broken or not put in its place - the picture will not emerge, the software to restore the files will not be able to lay down the picture, and ruin it completely and irreversibly. Use the software to restore files can ruin your files forever, only through your fault. Remember that any intervention of the extraneous software to restore files encrypted with the CryptoWall software may be the point on no return. In case if these simple rules are violated we will not be able to help you, and we will not try because you have been warned. For your attention the software to decrypt the files (as well as the private key that come fitted with it) is a paid product. After purchasing the software package you can: 1.Decrypt all your files. 2. Work with your documents. 3. View your photos and other media content. 4. Continue your habitual and comfortable work at the computer. If you are aware whole importance and criticality of the situation, then we suggest you go directly to your personal page where you will be given final instructions, as well as guarantees to restore your files.
What do you have to do with these addresses? If you browse the instructions in TXT format (if you have instructions in HTML (the file that has an icon of your Internet browser) then for the sake of simplicity it is better to run it). Additional information: Instructions to restore your files are only in the folders where you have encrypted files. For your convenience the instructions are made in three files formats - html, txt and png. Unfortunately, antivirus companies cannot protect and moreover restore your files but they make things worse removing the instructions to restore encrypted files. The instructions are not malware, they have informative nature only, so any claims on the absence of any instructions files you can send to your antivirus company. CryptoWall Project is not malicious and is not intended to harm a person and his/her information data. This project is conducted for the sole purpose of instruction in the field of information security, as well as certification of antivirus products for their suitability for data protection. Together we make the Internet a better and safer place. If you oversee this text in the Internet and understand that something is wrong with your files and you have no instructions to restore files, contact your antivirus support. Remember that the worst has already happened and now the further life of your files depends directly in your determination and speed of your actions.

HELP_YOUR_FILES ransom payment instructions:

Samples of infected email messages proliferating HELP_YOUR_FILES ransomware:

Here's a screenshot of user's desktop after HELP_YOUR_FILES ransomware is done encrypting data:

HELP_YOUR_FILES ransomware removal:

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

Quick menu:

• What is Cryptowall 4.0 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.

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