Jeff Ransomware

Jeff Ransomware is a malicious application that could encrypt your files with a secure cryptosystem if you encounter it. However, based on what we have discovered about this threat while researching it, we believe the chances of coming across it might be rather small. Like many similar infections created to get money from computer users, the malware is supposed to leave a ransom note explaining how to pay for decryption. Nevertheless, the sample we obtained did not provide such information. Consequently, we do not think the hackers would have any use from distributing the malicious application the way it is now. To learn more about this, you could continue reading our article. On the other hand, if you wish to know how to erase Jeff Ransomware manually, you could scroll below the text and use the displayed instructions.

Provided the malware is being distributed it could travel with bundled malicious software installers, untrustworthy email attachments, or unsecured Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connections. If you want to take extra precautions to protect your system from such threats, you should change weak passwords, update old software, and stop downloading programs from torrent and other unreliable file-sharing web pages. Since Jeff Ransomware might be spread through Spam emails, users should be extra cautious with suspicious email attachments and links too. If you were not expecting to receive it and you doubt it is anything urgent you could ignore the file that raises a suspicion; otherwise, we would highly recommend performing a scan on it with a reliable antimalware tool of your choice.

As explained earlier, the reason we doubt Jeff Ransomware could be encountered yet is that it does not appear to be fully developed and there would be no use from distributing it. Other than the missing information on how to pay a ransom to get decryption tools the malware works just like any other malicious file-encrypting threat. Our researchers claim it encrypts user’s files (e.g., pictures, photos, videos, and so on) with a robust cryptosystem known as AES-256. The encrypted data should be marked with a particular extension, for example, sunflowers.jpg.jefftheransomware. What is important to mention is while Jeff Ransomware can encrypt files it may not necessarily affect any data after entering the system. It is because the infection might be programmed to lock files on a directory the user may not have. To be more precise, the sample we tested was set to encrypt data in a folder called “takemeon.” Naturally, this could quickly change if the hackers who developed the threat decide it is time to distribute it.

Furthermore, after performing the encryption process, the malicious application is supposed to open a pop-up window with a scary face. On top of that, the infected computer may play an irritating sound to disturb the victim. Interacting with this window should open a second pop-up displaying buttons and bits of text written in Turkish or English. The English version provides this particular sentence: “What you do to my computer??!??!!!” The buttons on it are called “Recover My Files” and “Exit.” According to our researchers only the “Exit” button works. This lack of functionality and full ransom text are the main reasons why we think the hackers behind Jeff Ransomware did not fully develop it. Thus, at this point, if you do encounter the malware, your files may not receive any damage, and the only thing that remains to do is get rid of the malicious application.

One way to eliminate Jeff Ransomware is to erase its launcher, a file downloaded and opened before the system got infected, manually. We realize this process could be complicated or some users, which is why we prepared instructions explaining how to look for the malware’s launcher and how to delete it. You can find these steps a bit below this paragraph. The other way to remove this infection is to perform a full system scan with an antimalware tool you like.

Eliminate Jeff Ransomware

1. Tap Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
2. Select Task Manager.
3. Locate a particular process belonging to the malicious program.
4. Mark it and press End Task.
5. Exit Task Manager.
6. Open File Explorer (Win+E).
7. Go to these locations separately:
   %TEMP%
   %USERPROFILE%\Downloads
   %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
8. Search for a suspicious file that might be the malware’s launcher; right-click it and select Delete.
9. Exit the Explorer.
10. Empty Recycle bin.
11. Reboot the device.