KKK Ransomware

It looks like hackers are still creating malicious applications based on an open source ransomware called Hidden Tear and according to our researchers, KKK Ransomware is one of these infections. However, unlike most of such threats, this malware appears to be more troublesome since it can disable the user’s Task Manager. It is most likely done to prevent you from deleting it. As you see, the malicious application’s creators are hoping you would pay a ransom. Needless to say, we do not advise doing so when there are no guarantees they will deliver the tools they promise will recover the infection’s enciphered data. If you have any available copies of damaged files, we advise you to use them instead of risking your savings. Also, users who are not planning on paying the ransom should not keep KKK Ransomware on the system as it could be dangerous to do so. Therefore, we recommend erasing it with the instructions placed below the article.

Malware like KKK Ransomware usually appears when you least expect it, for example, after launching an installer that looks quite safe or opening a document sent via email. Either of these situations sound familiar? In such case, we advise you to be more careful while downloading any data received via the Internet. Especially if it comes from unreliable torrent and other file-sharing web pages alike, with a letter from an unknown sender, via Spam emails, and so on. Of course, identifying infected data just by looking at it is rather impossible as one can only suspect such things; thus, to keep the system secure we would recommend downloading a trustworthy security tool. It could identify threats for you or stop their malicious processes if you carelessly open malicious files.

What happens when KKK Ransomware is launched? First of all the application should check all files located on the user’s computer. During this process, the data that this infection is programmed to encipher should become locked. Plus, to make these changes visible the malware may place a second extension at the end of each enciphered file’s title, for example, sky.jpg.KKK, document.pdf.KKK, and so on. Then the threat should block your Task Manager and open a website called filetimemanager.cf. This site is like a ransom note as it gives instructions what to do and explains the user what happened to his computer. For instance, if you click the Information button you receive a pop-up saying “You are infected with Ransomware. Ransomware steals your files and holds them for ransom. You can decrypt your files by refering to the Payment tab on the main form.”

Furthermore, clicking the Payment button displays a particular Bitcoin wallet address where users are requested to transfer 0.05 BTC (approximately 130 US dollars at the moment of writing). As for the text document called READ_IT.txt that may appear on your system it does not provide much information since it only redirects you back to the malware’s website. Again, we would like to stress how dangerous it is to deal with hackers. There are no guarantees, no refunds, and no way to contact them if anything goes wrong. In other words, after paying the ransom, the user can only hope these people will keep up to their promises.

Sadly, there are users who lose the transferred money in vain and are left not only without their precious data but also with a lighter wallet. If you do not to end up in this kind of situation, we advise you not to trust KKK Ransomware’s developers and remove the malware as soon as possible instead of paying the hackers. The malicious application can be erased manually if you enable the Task Manager, kill the malware’s process, and delete its launcher. Instructions explaining these processes are placed just below this paragraph, so users who need any assistance should not hesitate to have a look at them. Lastly, we can suggest a probably easier way get rid of the threat. What we are talking about it a reliable antimalware tool’s installation. With its automatic tools, you could both restore the disabled Task Manager and eliminate KKK Ransomware.

Enable Windows Task Manager

1. Press the Windows button.
2. Insert gpedit.msc into the search box and choose gpedit.
3. Go to User Configuration\Administrative\Templates\System\Ctrl+Alt+Del Options
4. Pick Remove Task Manager.
5. Select Disabled or Not Configured.
6. Press OK.

Eliminate KKK Ransomware

1. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
2. Open your Task Manager.
3. Find a process related to the malware, select it and click the End Task button.
4. Leave the Task Manager.
5. Tap Win+E.
6. Locate the Desktop, Temporary Files, and Downloads directories.
7. Search for the infection’s launcher, select it and press Shift+Delete.
8. Remove READ_IT.txt document from your Desktop.
9. Close the Explorer.
10. Restart the PC.