Obliterating Comrade HT Ransomware (Crypto-Malware/Ransomware)

What is Comrade HT ransomware? And how does it execute its attack?

Comrade HT ransomware is another nasty Trojan infection with the ability to encrypt files and leave them inaccessible to its victims. This new crypto-malware is created using the open source platform known as HiddenTear. Researchers believed that this ransomware is developed based on the Unikey ransomware framework. This new ransomware was recently discovered on October 23, 2017 and appears to target English-speaking users from the Western hemisphere. This ransomware seems to share some sophisticated features with The Magic Ransomware and Comrade HT ransomware, the only difference is that the encrypted data of Comrade HT ransomware cannot be restored.
As soon as it infects the computer system, Comrade HT ransomware starts to drop multiple malicious files in different directories in the computer. It then proceeds to the encryption process using the AES encryption algorithm and appends the .comrade extension on the targeted files. After it’s done in encrypting the files, Comrade HT drops its ransom note named DECRYPT_FILES.txt which contains the following context:
“All your files has been encrypted!
How do I get my files back?
Send $480 worth of Bitcoin to: 1NwlqXBqV2CBUZ53aLyzD71XkzDYc6bXe5
and send a email to
[email protected]
If you don’t pay us within 24 hours, we will be forced to delete your decryption key.
If you turn off your pc, your files will automatically be encrypted again,
When you next boot.
Making it harder for you to decrypt your files.
Signed, Comrade.”
Comrade HT ransomware also make sure that users won’t be able to recover the files easily as it deletes the shadow volume copies of the files. This isn’t good as without the shadow volume copies, you won’t be able to restore your files using the Windows Previous Version feature and that it could be pretty hard to recover the encrypted files without any decryption key. Nevertheless, that does not mean that you should go ahead and risk paying $480 to these crooks as they can’t be trusted and you might end up losing money and still won’t recover your files. The best choice you’re left with is to use any backup copies, if you have them, of the encrypted files or to wait until the security researchers are able to come up with a free decryption tool.
How does Comrade HT ransomware proliferate?
This new ransomware uses more than one distribution techniques, one of which is through spam emails where the developers of the ransomware writes some sort of convincing message in order to trick users into clicking a link or downloading the corrupted and infected attachment. Such emails usually contains message that aim to convince you that the attachment is an important document such as invoice, receipt, payment letter and all kinds of crap just so you would rush in downloading the malicious file.
Obliterate Comrade HT ransomware right away using the removal instructions below.
Step 1: Tap Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open the Task Manager.

Step 2: After opening the Task Manager, look for Windows Desktop.exe which is Comrade HT ransomware’s malicious process, right click on it and select End Process or End Task.

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 Comrade HT ransomware or any suspicious program and then Uninstall it/them.

Step 5: Tap Win + E to launch File Explorer.
Step 6: After opening File Explorer, navigate to the following locations below and look for Comrade HT ransomware’s malicious components such as the ransom note DECRYPT_FILES.txt as well as the malicious executable file responsible for installing the crypto-malware in your computer.

%AppData%
%Local%
%Temp%
%Roaming%
%LocalLow%

Step 7: Close the File Explorer. Before you proceed to the next steps below, make sure that you are tech savvy enough to the point where you know exactly how to use and navigate your computer’s Registry. Keep in mind that any changes you make will highly impact your computer. To save you the trouble and time, you can just use PC Cleaner Pro, 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 Comrade HT 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 Comrade HT ransomware.
Step 11: Close the Registry Editor.
Step 12: Empty your Recycle Bin.
To make sure that Comrade HT is completely removed and that nothing is left behind, use the following antivirus program. To use it, refer to the instructions below.
Perform a full system scan using SpyRemover Pro. To do so, follow these steps:

Turn on your computer. If it’s already on, you have to reboot
After that, the BIOSscreen 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 Optionuse 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 Boxwill 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 the program. Installation will start automatically once download is done.