What is FuckedByGhost ransomware? And how does it carry out its attack?
FuckedByGhost ransomware is a data-encrypting virus designed to lock files making them inaccessible to victims. It is also the new variant of the infamous Jigsaw ransomware. It uses the .FuckedByGhost extension in marking the encrypted files, hence its name. Nothing much has changed in this new variant except for the extension used as it still uses the same pattern in the execution of its attack as well as the files it targets and the ransom note.
Once its malicious payload is executed in the system, it begins its attack by modifying some existing entries in the Windows Registry. It might also create new registry entries in order to achieve persistent attack in the infected computer. This allows the crypto-malware to automatically execute its attack with each boot of the Windows operating system. After that, it scans the same type of files such as documents, database, videos, images, audio files and many more. Once these targeted files are encrypted, it appends the .FuckedByGhost extension to each one of the encrypted files. Following the encryption, it releases the same ransom note which states:
“I want to play a game with you. Let me explain the rules:
Your personal files are being deleted. Your photos, videos, documents, etc…
But, don’t worry! It will only happen if you don’t comply.
However I’ve already encrypted your personal files, so you cannot access them.
Every hour I select some of them to delete permanently,
therefore I won’t be able to access them, either.
Are you familiar with the concept of exponential growth? Let me help you out.
It starts out slowly then increases rapidly.
During the first 24 hours, you will only lose a few files,
the second day a few hundred, the third day a few thousand, and so on.
If you turn off your computer or try to close me when I start next time
you will get 1000 files deleted as a punishment.
Yes you will want me to start next time since I am the only one that
is capable to decrypt your personal data for you.
Now, let’s start and enjoy our little game together!
1 file will be deleted.
Please, send at least $150 worth of Bitcoin here:
[Address redacted]”
How is the malicious payload of FuckedByGhost ransomware disseminated online?
Just like its predecessors, the malicious payload of FuckedByGhost ransomware is disseminated via spam emails. In these emails, crooks attach an infected file with malicious scripts used to install the crypto-malware on the computer. This is the reason why you must check the whole content of any email first before you download an attachment and make sure to also scan the attachment before opening it.
You can terminate FuckedByGhost ransomware successfully by following the given removal guide below.
Step 1: Close the program window of FuckedByGhost ransomware. If you find it hard to do so, tap Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to launch the Task Manager.
Step 2: Go to Processes and look for the malicious process of FuckedByGhost ransomware like “JigsawRansomware.exe” and other suspicious processes then right click on each one of them and select End Process or End Task to kill their processes.
Step 3: Close the Task Manager and 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 dubious programs that might be related to FuckedByGhost ransomware and then Uninstall it/them.
Step 5: Tap Win + E to launch File Explorer.
Step 6: After opening File Explorer, navigate to the following directories below and look for the malicious components of FuckedByGhost like JigsawRansomware.exe as well as other malicious files then remove them all.
- %TEMP%
- %APPDATA%
- %DESKTOP%
- %USERPROFILE%\Downloads
- C:\ProgramData\local\
Step 7: Close the File Explorer.
Make sure that you are tech savvy enough to the point where you know exactly how to use and navigate your computer’s Registry before you proceed to the next steps below. Keep in mind that any changes you make will highly impact your computer. To save you the trouble and time, you can just use [product-name], this system tool is proven to be safe and excellent enough that hackers won’t be able to hack into it. But if you can manage Windows Registry well, then, by all means, go on to the next steps.
Step 8: Tap Win + R to open Run and then type in regedit in the field and tap enter to pull up Windows Registry.
Step 9: Navigate to the listed paths below and look for the registry keys and sub-keys created by FuckedByGhost ransomware.
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\
- HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop\
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
Step 10: Delete the registry keys and sub-keys created by FuckedByGhost ransomware.
Step 11: Close the Registry Editor.
Step 12: Empty the contents of Recycle Bin.
Try to recover your encrypted files using their Shadow Volume copies
Restoring your encrypted files using Windows’ Previous Versions feature will only be effective if FuckedByGhost ransomware 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.
Right after you followed the removal guide above, complete the removal process of FuckedByGhost ransomware by using [product-name].
Perform a full system scan using [product-code]. To do so, follow these steps:
- Turn on your computer. If it’s already on, you have to reboot
- After that, the BIOS scren 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 SafeMode with Networking.
- Press and hold both R key and Windows key.
- If done correctly, the Windows Run Box will show up.
- Type in the URL address, [product-url] in the Run dialog box and then tap Enter or click OK.
- After that, it will download the program. Wait for the download to finish and then open the launcher to install the program.
- Once the installation process is completed, run [product-code] to perform a full system scan.
- After the scan is completed click the “Fix, Clean & Optimize Now”button.