Virus and Spyware Removal Guides, uninstall instructions

What is MusiCalm?

MusiCalm is a rogue application categorized as adware. It operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns. Therefore, it delivers various unwanted and possibly harmful ads. Furthermore, most adware programs possess data tracking capabilities employed to monitor users' browsing habits, and it is highly likely that this app has such capabilities.

Due to MusiCalm's dubious proliferation methods, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA). It has been observed being distributed via illegal software activation tools ("cracks"), which are commonly used to proliferate malware as well (e.g. Trojans, ransomware, etc.).

What is Paymen45?

Paymen45 is malicious software that is part of the Everbe ransomware family. This malware encrypts data and demands ransom payments for decryption. During the encryption process, all files are appended with the ".g8R4rqWIp9" extension. For example, a file such as "1.jpg" would appear as "1.jpg.g8R4rqWIp9" following decryption.

Once this process is complete, a ransom message ("readme.txt") is dropped into compromised folders.

What is hastopnet.com?

hastopnet[.]com is a deceptive website designed to promote unwanted applications. Like many other web pages of this kind, hastopnet[.]com claims that the visitor's device is infected with viruses and encourages them to remove the issue with a shady app (which it offers to download and install).

Another variant of hastopnet[.]com claims that, by installing a dubious app, the visitor is able to continue watching a video. Note that applications should never be downloaded via hastopnet[.]com or similar web pages.

What is .Crypto?

.Crypto ransomware was discovered by dnwls0719 and is written in the Go programming language. Like most programs of this type, .Crypto encrypts files, renames them and generates a ransom message. It renames files by adding the victim's ID, filerestory@gmail.com email address and appending the ".Crypto" extension to filenames.

For example, it renames "1.jpg" to "1.jpg.Id-TYSCKVNJ.[filerestory@gmail.com].Crypto", "2.jpg" to "2.jpg.Id-TYSCKVNJ.[filerestory@gmail.com].Crypto", and so on. Instructions about how to contact .Crypto's developers are provided in the "Unlock_Files.txt" text file.

What is LOL (Dharma)?

Discovered by Dnwls0719, LOL (Dharma) is a malicious program belonging to the Dharma ransomware family. Systems infected with this malware have their data encrypted and users receive ransom demands for decryption.

During the encryption process, all compromised files are renamed according to this pattern: original filename, unique ID assigned to the victim, cyber criminals' email address and the ".LOL" extension. For example, a file like "1.jpg" would appear as something similar to "1.jpg.id-1E857D00.[Helpsir@rape.lol].LOL" following encryption.

After this process is complete, LOL (Dharma) ransomware creates a ransom message in a pop-up window and "FILES ENCRYPTED.txt" text file.

What is Get Recipes Now?

Get Recipes Now is presented as an application that allows people to access websites providing recipes and recommendations. For example, Food Network and Yummly. In fact, this app promotes a fake search engine (search.hgetrecipesnow.com), changes browser settings, and is categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA), a browser hijacker.

What is afunione[.]club?

afunione[.]club is virtually identical to many other rogue websites including, for example, rdsb2[.]club, allmeganews[.]com, and cicort[.]com. When opened, web pages of this type load dubious content or open other untrusted websites.

People often arrive at pages such as afunione[.]club due to potentially unwanted apps (PUAs) that are installed on browsers and/or operating systems. I.e., users do not often visit them intentionally. Note that PUAs promote dubious web pages, display intrusive ads and gather browsing-related information.

What is sLoad?

sLoad (also known as StarsLord) is the name of malicious software that infects operating systems with other malware (e.g., a banking Trojan or ransomware). In this way, sLoad operates as a malware downloader/dropper. Research shows that cyber criminals proliferate sLoad via spam campaigns (emails) - i.e., through malicious documents attached to email messages.

If you believe that sLoad (and its payload) might be installed on the operating system, remove it immediately.

What is world-search.net?

world-search.net is the address of a bogus search engine. Fake web searching tools are usually promoted by rogue software classified as browser hijackers. Music World Search is a browser hijacker known to promote world-search.net. Furthermore, most bogus search engines and browser hijacker record browsing activity.

Browser hijackers are seldom installed intentionally and are, therefore, also classified as Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs).

What is Mpal?

Mpal is malicious software belonging to the Djvu ransomware family. It encrypts data and demands payment for decryption. During the encryption process, all affected files are appended with the ".mpal" extension. For example, a file originally named something like "1.jpg" would appear as "1.jpg.mpal" following encryption.

After this process is complete, a ransom message ("_readme.txt") is created on the desktop. Additionally, Mpal ransomware disables Windows Task Manager.