Darus Ransomware

Darus Ransomware might be spread with fake Windows updates, as the malware’s installer may show a message asking not to turn off your computer while the system is installing important updates. If a user does not realize the notification is fictitious and does not interrupt the malicious application’s process, it ought to encrypt various private files and then show a ransom note asking to pay for their decryption. As always, we do not recommend paying it if you do not want to risk losing whatever amount of money that the hackers behind this threat may ask you to pay. Cybercriminals could promise you will get what you pay for, but such people cannot give any guarantees, and they should not be trusted. For more details on this malicious application, you should read the rest of our article. As for those who decide to delete Darus Ransomware, we can offer our deletion instructions placed below.

As we said earlier, Darus Ransomware might be spread with installers disguising as Windows updates. After launching such a file, a user ought to see a pop-up message that might look very similar to the genuine notification shown by the system when it is installing updates. Nonetheless, there is a detail that should indicate there is something wrong with the notification. The pop-up might appear out of the blue, and it does not explain what kind of updates are being installed. Instead, the alert only says the system is installing “important updates Windows.”

Experienced users should realize that the pop-up appeared because they may have just launched some suspicious file downloaded or received from the Internet. As you see, hackers often spread installers carrying threats like Darus Ransomware through malicious file-sharing sites and Spam emails. Therefore, to avoid such malicious applications in the future, it is crucial to be careful and avoid interaction with suspicious content, such as email attachments sent by someone you do not now or installers downloaded from sites distributing pirated software, unknown freeware, etc.

What happens if the fake updates alert displayed by Darus Ransomware is allowed to finish what it started? Our researchers say the malware ought to encrypt all files considered to be private. Meaning, the malicious application could encrypt your photos, videos, archives, various documents, and so on. During this process, files get locked and they ought to be marked with a second extension called .darus, for example, flowers.jpg.darus. To explain to a victim what has happened, the malware should drop a ransom note called _readme.txt or similarly. It should start with “ATTENTION! Don't worry, you can return all your files!” Later it explains that victims can restore their files after purchasing special decryption tools that cost 490 US dollars if the sum is paid in 72 hours. Afterward, the price becomes 980 US dollars.

The note might make it tool like you should hurry up and decide what to do right away, but we recommend taking your time. If you get scammed the money you pay could be lost in vain and so you must consider if it is a risk you can take. If you do not think you want to risk your money, we advise not to pay any attention to the malware’s ransom note. In such a case, we recommend deleting Darus Ransomware and restoring your files from backup copies that you might have.

Erasing Darus Ransomware manually might not be an easy task, but if you are sure you want to remove it yourself, you could use our deletion instructions placed below this article. The other way to deal with the malware is to employ a reliable antimalware tool. Do a full system scan with your chosen tool and wait till the process is over. Then, you should be able to eliminate all identified threats, including Darus Ransomware, by pressing the tool’s provided deletion button.

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 Darus 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. Then find these paths:
   %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data
   %LOCALAPPDATA%
5. Search for malicious .exe files with random names, right-click them, and press Delete.
6. Recheck these paths:
   %LOCALAPPDATA%
   %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data
7. Look for malicious 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. Find this path: %WINDIR%\System32\Tasks
11. Look for a file called Time Trigger Task or similarly, right-click it and choose Delete.
12. Exit File Explorer.
13. Press Win+R.
14. Type Regedit and press Enter.
15. Go to this path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
16. Locate a value name called SysHelper, right-click it and press Delete.
17. Exit Registry Editor.
18. Empty Recycle bin.
19. Restart the system.