Repl Ransomware

Repl Ransomware is a threat that we identify as ransomware because it was created to extort money from those who face it. This malware targets Windows users, but it can only invade systems that are not protected. That means that if you do not have security systems in place, or those systems are outdated and vulnerable, you are the prime target. Of course, not all unguarded systems will get infected by this malware. It appears that the attackers are relying on victims to execute this malware, and they are using tricks to make that happen. For example, the launcher of the threat can be concealed as a document file or an installer of a desirable program. If the file is introduced to you along with a misleading spam email message or a misleading bundled downloader, you could launch the infection yourself. What happens after that? Your personal files are encrypted, and they cannot be restored by removing Repl Ransomware. However, you must delete this threat, and you must do it soon.

Our research team has found that Repl Ransomware is part of the Crysis/Dharma Ransomware family, which is very well-known amongst cybersecurity researchers. Hundreds of threats belong to this family, including HAT Ransomware, CLUB Ransomware, NCOV Ransomware, and WCH Ransomware, and it appears that all of them are just variants of the same old threat. The only thing that is different with every variant is the extension that gets added to the corrupted files. Repl Ransomware, of course, adds the “.repl” extension, which is why it is named Repl in the first place. If this threat finds a way into your unguarded operating system, it immediately finds and encrypts your personal files. Pictures, projects, videos, and documents can be encrypted, and once that is done, your files become unreadable. In theory, a decryption key should make them readable again, but a decryption key that matches the encryption key is offered by cybercriminals, and you must know that trusting them to give it to you is not a good idea. Nonetheless, some victims might be willing to take risks for their personal files.

The instructions that the attacker behind Repl Ransomware wants you to follow are introduced via a file named “_readme.txt.” It is safe to open, but you should delete it afterward. The gist of the message inside is that only the attacker can provide you with a tool and a key that, allegedly, are needed for full decryption. To obtain the tool and the key, a ransom payment of $490 is expected, and before you can pay it, you have to email helpmanager@mail.ch or restoremanager@airmail.cc. These email addresses have been introduced by other threats from the Crysis/Dharma family, and so it is clear that they are controlled by the same attacker or group of attackers. If you are not familiar with cybercriminals, you might think that contacting them will do you no harm. It certainly might because if you open communication, they can flood your inbox with new misleading messages. Some of them might push you to pay a ransom, while others might contain attachments that hide new malware launchers. Even if you are willing to take a risk, you are likely to get NOTHING in return for your payment anyway.

It is uncommon that we have good news related to malware, but we might have good news related to Repl Ransomware. Researchers analyzing Crysis/Dharma family threats have built a tool named ‘Rakhni Decryptor.’ If all goes according to plan, perhaps you can use this tool to decrypt all personal files. Of course, we cannot guarantee that you will be able to use this tool successfully. However, if you have backup copies of personal files stored outside the infected machine, we can guarantee that you will be able to replace the corrupted files using these copies. Of course, you must delete Repl Ransomware first. It doesn’t look like there is much to the removal of this malware; however, the name and the location of the launcher file of this threat could be unique. Therefore, we cannot give you detailed manual removal instructions. Luckily, a trusted anti-malware program can locate and delete all components of this threat automatically. Not only that, it also can protect your system against malware, which is imperative if you want to keep it secure in the future.

Repl Ransomware Removal

1. Delete all recently downloaded suspicious files.
2. Delete the ransom note file named _readme.txt.
3. Empty Recycle Bin once you think that all malicious components are gone.
4. Install a malware scanner to perform a full system scan.