Termite Ransomware

Termite Ransomware encrypts user’s files and then shows a ransom note in some foreign language. However, most of the text on our test computer turned into random characters, so the only thing we could read was the English word “hello.” Thus, we can only guess the hackers are either asking for a ransom in their message or will do so when the user contacts them. Our specialists say it does not look sophisticated and might still be in the development stage. If you do come across it, you should keep reading our text from which you could learn more about this malicious application. What we would recommend doing afterward is removing Termite Ransomware. It seems to us it is the best option if you do not want to gamble with your savings by paying a ransom. For information on how to erase the malware, you should check the last paragraph as well as the instructions located below it.

Provided Termite Ransomware is being distributed, we believe it might travel with malicious email attachments, game cracks, infected software installers, and so on. Therefore, to protect your computer from such malicious applications in the future it would be best to keep away from suspicious data received via email and unreliable file-sharing web pages or pop-up advertisements offering unknown freeware, pirated programs, etc. Unfortunately, once the malware’s installer is launched, it could be already too late as some of them begin encrypting user’s data right away. Not to mention, most of them work silently in the background making it difficult to notice the computer was infected. For extra protection, we would suggest installing a reliable antimalware tool; use it anytime you encounter doubtful data by scanning it with the chosen tool before opening it. If the suspected file appears to be dangerous, being extra cautious could save your system and files on it.

According to our researchers, Termite Ransomware can encrypt most popular picture and document formats and possibly other types of data too. What it should leave unaffected is the files belonging to the operating system or other software installed on the computer. After the encryption process, the targeted files should become useless without decryption tools. Nevertheless, users should be able to identify damaged data without trying to open it as each file is supposed to be marked with the .Xiak extension, for example, picture.jpg.Xiak, text.docx.Xiak, and so on. Plus, the encrypted files should have the same icon which is pictured on the malicious application’s ransom note too. The warning should be displayed after Termite Ransomware finishes encrypting user’s data.

As explained earlier the window with the ransom note does not reveal anything as Termite Ransomware might have some problems with displaying text. From all the displayed characters what we could read was the first word written in English, which says “Hello.” Given there is a single at symbol used in email addresses we can assume the text might be hiding the hacker’s email address. It would not be a surprise, many ransom notes displayed by such threats either give straight instructions on how to pay a ransom or ask user’s to contact the cybercriminals behind them and negotiate/learn the price. Of course, it is not something we would ever recommend because there is always a possibility the hackers could trick you. For example, they might keep asking for more money or just never send the promised decryption tools.

As you might already realize, there is no need for decryption tools if you have backup copies of all or some of the files that were encrypted. To be more accurate, the copies could be used to replace damaged data. It is crucial to understand the copies should not be transferred on the computer before erasing the malware. Meaning, it would be safest to eliminate Termite Ransomware first and only then recover your files. Our specialists say the malware can be removed manually and to make the process easier they prepared deletion instructions placed below. The other way to get rid of the threat is to scan the computer with a reliable antimalware tool and then press the given removal button.

Eliminate Termite Ransomware

1. Tap Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
2. Launch Task Manager.
3. Look for the infection’s process, for example, payment.exe.
4. Select the malicious process and press End Task.
5. Leave the Task Manager.
6. Click Win+E.
7. Find these locations:
   %TEMP%
   %USERPROFILE%\desktop
   %USERPROFILE%\downloads
8. Look for the malware’s installer, then right-click it and press Delete.
9. Search for this location C:\Windows
10. Find a malicious executable file, for example, termite.exe.
11. Right-click the suspicious executable file and press Delete.
12. Exit File Explorer.
13. Empty Recycle bin.
14. Restart the system.