How to Eliminate Karmen Ransomware

What is Karmen ransomware? And how does it work?

Karmen ransomware is another file-encrypting threat that is part of the RaaS (Ransomware as a Service) campaign which administrates its Command and Control server, payment and all the other aspects of its attack. This ransomware is based on the Mordor ransomware which was created using the HiddenTear open source platform. Once it infiltrates your computer, it scans all the drives in your computer and creates a list of targeted files to be encrypted during its attack. It encrypts several files such as images, videos, audios, documents and a whole lot more. During the encryption process, it appends the .grt file extension on each files; making them inaccessible. The malware then displays an application windows labeled as “Karmen Decrypter” that includes the ransom note containing the following message:
“Files encrypted
All files are encrypted! Please follow the mind. In order to get the key to decrypt send this amount to our wallet Bitcoin.
Decrypt files automatically.
Interference with the program – can leave you without files.”
According to our researchers, the latest version of Karmen rasnomware is version 2.4 which demands the ransom of approximately $246 and 0.20150565 in Bitcoins. Although recovering your files is important, the thing is, paying the ransom won’t be an assurance that the crooks will give you a decryptor. The best thing you can do is to look for alternative ways to decrypt your files as well as remove the infection

How is Karmen ransomware distributed?

Just like most ransomware, Karmen is distributed through malicious spam emails. The crooks attached the corrupted file onto the email and send it to its targeted victims. The infected email is disguised as something very important or urgent that some users are tricked into opening it and downloading the malicious attachment, which immediately infiltrates your system and starts the demise of your files. And so it is very important that you check the sender especially unknown ones before you open their messages or download any attachments.
To eliminate Karmen ransomware and its components, follow the removal instructions below.
Step 1: Open Windows Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard at the same time.

Step 2: Go to the Processes tab and look for joise.exe and any suspicious processes and then kill them.

Step 3: Open Control Panel by pressing the Windows key + R, then type in appwiz.cpl and then click OK or press Enter.

Step 4: Look for Karmen ransomware or the program it is disguised with which is Helper with the description of “Microsoft Helper” and any other suspicious program and then Uninstall it.

Step 5: Hold down Windows + E keys simultaneously to open File Explorer.
Step 6: Go to the directories listed below and delete everything in it. Or other directories you might have saved the file related to Karmen ransomware.

%APPDATA%
%USERPROFILE%\Downloads
%USERPROFILE%\Desktop
%TEMP%

Step 7: Locate any components or files associated with Karmen ransomware like its malicious executable file, joise.exe.
Step 8: Empty the Recycle Bin.
Step 9: Reboot your computer into Safe Mode with Command Prompt by pressing F8 a couple of times until the Advanced Options menu appears.

Navigate to Safe Mode with Command Prompt using the arrow keys on your keyboard. After selecting Safe Mode with Command Prompt, hit Enter.
Step 10: After loading the Command Prompt type cd restore and hit Enter.

Step 11: After cd restore, type in rstrui.exe and hit Enter.

Step 12: A new window will appear, and then click Next.

Step 13: Select any of the Restore Points on the list and click Next. This will restore your computer to its previous state before being infected with the Karmen Ransomware.
Step 14: A dialog box will appear, and then click Next.

Step 15: After the system restore process, download SpyRemover Pro to remove any remaining files or residues of the Karmen Ransomware.
Step 16: Try to recover your encrypted files.
Restoring your encrypted files using Windows’ Previous Versions feature will only be effective if the malware hasn’t deleted the shadow copies of your files. But still, this is one of the best and free methods there is, so it’s definitely worth a shot.
To restore the encrypted file, right-click on it and select Properties, a new window will pop-up, then proceed to Previous Versions. It will load the file’s previous version before it was modified. After it loads, select any of the previous versions displayed on the list like the one in the illustration below. And then click the Restore button.

Follow the continued advanced steps below to ensure the removal of the Karmen ransomware:
Perform a full system scan using SpyRemover Pro.

Turn on your computer. If it’s already on, you have to reboot
After that, the BIOS screen will be displayed, but if Windows pops up instead, reboot your computer and try again. Once you’re on the BIOS screen, repeat pressing F8, by doing so the Advanced Option shows up.

To navigate the Advanced Option use the arrow keys and select Safe Mode with Networking then hit
Windows will now load the Safe Mode with Networking.
Press and hold both R key and Windows key.

If done correctly, the Windows Run Box will show up.
Type in explorer http://www.fixmypcfree.com/install/spyremoverpro

A single space must be in between explorer and http. Click OK.

A dialog box will be displayed by Internet Explorer. Click Run to begin downloading SpyRemover Pro. Installation will start automatically once download is done.