ABC Ransomware

ABC Ransomware, also known as Astra Ransomware, is a threat that derives from the Globeimposter family. This family includes Globeimposter Ransomware and newer variants, Sexy Ransomware and Oni Ransomware. All of these malicious infections are associated with devious cyber criminals who are using malicious tools to extort money. Any of these threats can encrypt files and make victims pay ransoms in return for file decryptors that, unfortunately, are never provided to users even if they fulfill the demands that are given to them. Although you might be tempted to pay attention to the information prepared by cyber criminals, you should figure out how to remove ABC Ransomware instead. This threat is not built in a way that it would be impossible for you to delete it manually; however, this process can be complicated if you are unable to identify the launcher file. Of course, there’s always a way to identify and eliminate malicious components, and you will learn all about this by reading the report.

The malicious ABC Ransomware is known by two names – including “Astra Ransomware” – because it offers victims a tool named “ABC Decryptor,” and because it adds the “.astra” extension to all of the files it encrypts. When the encryption is started – and that happens as soon as the launcher is dropped and executed – it immediately looks for photos, documents, and other personal files to encrypt. The process is silent, and so you are unlikely to notice it until it is complete. Once the files are encrypted, you cannot read them, by which we mean that you cannot open the file and see its original content. That is because the data within the file is jumbled up, and only a decryption key compatible with the encryption key can fix that. Unfortunately, encrypting files manually is impossible unless the encryption algorithm is cracked, and that happens in very rare cases. In fact, our research team has analyzed hundreds of ransomware threats, and free decryptors were found only a few times. Our experience also allows us to state that cyber criminals never keep their promises to decrypt files once the requested ransom is paid. This is why instead of focusing on the corrupted files, you need to focus on ABC Ransomware and its removal.

To make it easier for you to understand the situation and to show you what is expected from you, the creator of ABC Ransomware has set up “here_your_files!.html”. This file is created as soon as all files are encrypted, and the message is pretty clear. Cyber criminals want you to download the TOR Browser and disclose your email address via the http://cr7icbfqm64hixta.onion form to receive ransom payment instructions. The ransom note even states that the sum of the ransom depends on how fast you contact cyber criminals. To intimidate you, the ABC Ransomware ransom note also introduces you to a few warnings, which are meant to deter you from renaming encrypted files and employing third-party decryption tools. Of course, renaming files and using decryption tools are unlikely to help you, but cyber criminals are unlikely to help you either. You can be helped only if you have files backed up, which means that the encrypted files have copies stored externally or online. If that is the case, you have nothing to worry about except for the removal of the malicious threat.

Where is the executable of ABC Ransomware, and how is it named? If you do not know the answers to these questions, you can either go on a hunt to find delete the right file (the guide below lists a few possible locations), or you can install software that is capable of erasing the threat automatically. The right anti-malware program can do much more than just automatically delete ABC Ransomware. It can also erase other threats that might be active, and, most important, it can keep your operating system guarded against all kinds of threats in the future. With new ransomware infections, Trojans, adware, hijackers, keyloggers, and all kinds of other threats emerging every single day, you really cannot have too much protection. Besides using anti-malware software, you should also practice safe browsing because, essentially, cyber criminals and malware distributors prey on users who are careless. If you need more tips or information, add a comment below!

ABC Ransomware Removal

1. Right-click and Delete the {launcher name}.exe to eliminate the ransomware. It could be located in:
   • %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
   • %USERPROFILE%\Downloads
   • %TEMP%
2. Right-click and Delete all copies of the here_your_files!.html file.
3. Empty Recycle Bin to eliminate the malicious components.
4. Install a malware scanner to check if you have successfully deleted all threats (do not skip this step!).