Scarab-Walker Ransomware

Scarab-Walker Ransomware appears to be another threat from the Scarab Ransomware family. As with previous variants, it encrypts user’s files with AES encryption algorithm and leaves a message offering decryption tools in exchange for paying a ransom. According to the ransom note, the sum should be paid in Bitcoins and to get further instructions on how to send it the user is asked to contact the malicious program’s developers through email. The thing is agreeing to pay the ransom could end up badly since the hackers behind the malware may not deliver the promised decryption tools even if the user does everything he was asked for. The reason for requesting to pay in Bitcoins is it helps the hackers remain anonymous. Also, it leaves no chances for the victim to get his money back, which means Scarab-Walker Ransomware’s developers could do whatever they want: ask you for more money, ignore you, etc. Therefore, we recommend erasing the malicious application instead of risking your savings. To learn how to do so, we encourage you to check the instructions located below and read the rest of the article if you wish to learn more about this threat.

Some of you might wonder how malicious programs like Scarab-Walker Ransomware enter the system. The truth is there is no one answer as usually such malware can be distributed through various channels. For instance, perhaps the most popular one sending is infected email attachments with forged address lines to make the victim believe the content is coming from reliable sources. Such data could be spread with Spam emails as well as some users open any data they receive without questioning it first. Naturally, if you are one of such users we would recommend being more cautious with email attachments even if they seem to originate from a reliable sender or look harmless (malicious installers can be made to look like text documents, pictures, updates, etc.). Other ways to catch threats like Scarab-Walker Ransomware are downloading installers from harmful web pages, clicking on suspicious advertisements, and so on. Consequently, it would be recommendable to stay away from sites distributing pirated installers or offering unknown freeware applications if you wish to protect your system. Additionally, it might be smart to install a reliable antimalware tool since it can guard the system against many threats.

As usual for such threats, Scarab-Walker Ransomware should start encrypting the user’s data the moment it gets in. Apparently, the malware does not need to create any other data on the system as it could run from the directory where it was saved and launched without realizing it by the user himself. Another thing we learned about this malicious program is it may append .JohnnieWalker extension at the end of the affected files’ titles, for example, mountains.jpg.JohnnieWalker. Obviously, the files that might be marked with this extension should become useless. In other words, the user should be unable to launch or rename such data, although even if it is possible to delete the extension, this threat may add, keep it in mind, it will not change anything. Unfortunately, the only way to recover encrypted files is with a specific decryption tool and such software might be accessible only to the hackers behind Scarab-Walker Ransomware.

Furthermore, once the encryption process is over, the malicious program could drop a ransom note asking to contact the malware’s developers. It should also state decryption is only possible with their decryption tool, which you can get by paying the ransom if you believe what these hackers are saying. Since we know there are cases when users get scammed, we would not recommend putting up with any demands. It is best to realize some of your files could be lost forever if you do not have any backup copies and learn from this experience. Also, if you do not want to pay the ransom and risk losing your savings in vain, it would be advisable to remove Scarab-Walker Ransomware with no hesitation. The instructions located below will show how you could get rid of the malware manually. However, our researchers say it might be easier and safer to use a reliable antimalware tool, so if you prefer using automatic features, install a tool of your preferences and let it remove the malicious program for you.

Eliminate Scarab-Walker Ransomware

1. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
2. Go to the Task Manager.
3. Find the malware’s process.
4. Mark this process and click End Task.
5. Exit Task Manager.
6. Tap Win+E.
7. Navigate to:
   %TEMP%
   %USERPROFILE%\desktop
   %USERPROFILE%\downloads
8. Check if you can see the malicious file downloaded before the computer got infected.
9. Right-click the suspicious file and press Delete.
10. Search for the threat’s ransom notes.
11. Right-click these files and press Delete.
12. Close File Explorer.
13. Empty your Recycle bin.
14. Reboot the computer.