Kiratos Ransomware

Kiratos Ransomware comes from Stop Ransomware family, for example, it is similar to Keypass Ransomware. According to our specialists, the malicious application can disable user’s Task Manager and encrypt lots of personal files. As usual for such threats, it is supposed to drop text documents containing the hackers' ransom note on every directory that has encrypted files. The note suggests paying a ransom in exchange for decryptions tools. The cybercriminals claim they can guarantee the victim will receive what they promise after making a payment, but you should realize such reassurances do not mean a thing. Therefore, if you do not want to risk getting scammed, we recommend not to trust the malicious application’s developers. The instructions available below can help you get rid of Kiratos Ransomware instead. Also, you can learn more about this malware by reading the rest of this article.

The sample our researchers tested launched a fake pop-up saying it is installing Windows updates. Consequently, we believe Kiratos Ransomware could be spread through malicious software installers or other questionable files obtained from untrustworthy file-sharing websites or Spam emails. Accordingly, we advise not to interact with files if you are not one hundred percent sure they are safe.

The best way to learn whether the files you come across with are dangerous or not is to scan them with a reputable antimalware tool before launching them. You should do this to all email attachments, installers, and other data received/downloaded from the Internet. Of course, it is wise to stay away from material that raises suspicion or originates from unknown sources, but if you cannot avoid it, you should at least make sure it is not harmful first.

As mentioned in the previous paragraph, the malware may pretend to be installing Windows updates to distract the user from what is happening. After the launch, Kiratos Ransomware should settle in and start encrypting user’s personal files, for example, pictures, photos, documents, etc. During this time the malicious application might block user’s Task Manager to make sure he would be unable to interfere with the encryption process

Later on, the threat should drop ransom notes called _readme.txt in all directories containing enciphered data. Files that were affected should have a second extension called .kiratos, for example, document.docx.kiratos. Since they ought to be encrypted with a secure encryption algorithm, the files should become unreadable. Meaning, the victim should be unable to open them. It is true what the Kiratos Ransomware’s ransom says that the only way to restore them is with decryption tools. However, we would not trust hackers’ promises to deliver them after the payment is made.

The chance you might get scammed is always there no matter how reassuring the hacker’s note sounds. Even with the suggested 50 percent discount, the ransom is still rather huge (490 US dollars), and the encrypted files may not be worth it. Not to mention, instead of decrypting your data you could replace it with backup copies that you could have on removable media devices or elsewhere.

If you do not think it would be smart to trust the promises of hackers either, we recommend paying no attention to the message in the ransom note. What we advise is removing Kiratos Ransomware from the system. To get rid of it manually, you could complete the instructions available at the end of this article. They may seem difficult to less experienced users, and if they seem too challenging for you, we suggest installing a reliable antimalware tool instead.

Perform a full system scan with your chosen tool, and it should detect malicious files belonging to Kiratos Ransomware and other possible threats. Afterward, it should be possible to erase all of them by pressing the provided deletion button. Should you need more assistance or information on the malicious application, we encourage you not to hesitate to leave us a comment below the article.

Restart the computer in Safe Mode

Windows 8/Windows 10

1. Tap Win+I for Windows 8 or open Start menu for Windows 10.
2. Press the Power button.
3. Click and hold Shift then click Restart.
4. Pick Troubleshoot and choose Advanced Options.
5. Go to Startup Settings and click Restart.
6. Press F5 and restart the PC.

Windows XP/Windows Vista/Windows 7

1. Navigate to Start, select Shutdown options and pick Restart.
2. Press and hold F8 when the PC starts restarting.
3. Mark Safe Mode with Networking.
4. Select Enter and log on.

Eliminate Kiratos Ransomware

1. Click Win+E.
2. Find these locations:
   %TEMP%
   %USERPROFILE%\desktop
   %USERPROFILE%\downloads
3. Look for the threat’s installer, e.g., updatewin.exe; then right-click it and press Delete.
4. Go to:
   %LOCALAPPDATA%
   %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data
5. Search for malicious .exe files with random names, right-click them and press Delete.
6. Recheck these paths again:
   %LOCALAPPDATA%
   %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data
7. Look for folders with long random titles, e.g., Afefd188-12fe-81Ae-cFb1-do6a241B4671, right-click them and choose Delete.
8. Then check these paths one last time:
   %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data
   %LOCALAPPDATA%
9. Locate files called script.ps1 or similarly, right-click them and press Delete.
10. Exit File Explorer.
11. Press Win+R.
12. Type Regedit and press Enter.
13. Go to this path: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
14. Locate a value name called SysHelper, right-click it and press Delete.
15. Exit Registry Editor.
16. Empty Recycle bin.
17. Restart the system.