What is Blitzkrieg ransomware? And how does it execute its attack?
Blitzkrieg ransomware is a data-encrypting malware that uses a “.bkc” extension in marking the files it encrypts. It applies the AES encryption algorithm in locking its targeted files. It executes its attack the same as other typical ransomware threats. It starts by dropping its malicious payload which is the one that establishes a connection to a remote server.
It then downloads other malicious components and place them to several system folders. It also terminate system processes and execute commands to bypass security programs in the system. In addition, modifications in the Windows Registry are also done. This allows the crypto-virus to automatically run each time the infected computer is started. Once all the system modifications are completed, Blitzkrieg ransomware will scan the computer for files to encrypt, which according to researchers, are files with the following extensions:
.3dm, .3g2, .3gp, .7zip, .aaf, .accdb, .aep, .aepx, .aet, .ai, .aif, .as, .as3, .asf, .asp, .asx, .avi, .bmp, .c, .class, .cpp, .cs, .csv, .dat, .db, .dbf, .doc, .docb, .docm, .docx, .dot, .dotm, .dotx, .dwg, .dxf, .efx, .eps, .fla, .flv, .gif, .h, .idml, .iff, .indb, .indd, .indl, .indt, .inx, .jar, .java, .jpeg, .jpg, .js, .m3u, .m3u8, .m4u, .max, .mdb, .mid, .mkv, .mov, .mp3, .mp4, .mpa, .mpeg, .mpg, .msg, .pdb, .pdf, .php, .plb, .pmd, .png, .pot, .potm, .potx, .ppam, .ppj, .pps, .ppsm, .ppsx, .ppt, .pptm, .pptx, .prel, .prproj, .ps, .psd, .py, .ra, .rar, .raw, .rb, .rtf, .sdf, .sdf, .ses, .sldm, .sldx, .sql, .svg, .swf, .tif, .txt, .vcf, .vob, .wav, .wma, .wmv, .wpd, .wps, .xla, .xlam, .xll, .xlm, .xls, .xlsb, .xlsm, .xlsx, .xlt, .xltm, .xltx, .xlw, .xml, .xqx, .xqx, .zip.
It encrypts the targeted files using AES cryptography and appends the .bkc extension on the affected files. It then creates a ransom note in a file called HowToBackFiles.txt which contains a message that reads:
“Attention !!!
All your files on this server have been encrypted.
Write this ID in the title of your message
To restore the files need to write to us at email: [email protected]
The price of restoration depends on how quickly you write to us.
After payment, we will send you a decryption tool that will decrypt all your files.
You can send us up to 3 files for free decryption.
-files should not contain important information
-and their total size should be less than 1 MB
IMPORTANT !!!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third-party software, this can lead to permanent data loss!
Your ID:”
How is the malicious payload of Blitzkrieg ransomware spread online?
According to researchers, it is possible that Blitzkrieg ransomware spreads its malicious files using the most common way in distributing ransomware infections – malicious spam emails. Cybercriminals often conceal the malicious file by using double extensions and using some file icons from Microsoft Office which makes it hard to decipher which is why you should check the email first before you download any attachment. It is also recommended that you always keep your system and antivirus program up-to-date to increase your resistance against ransomware infections like Blitzkrieg ransomware.
Eliminate Blitzkrieg ransomware from your computer by following the removal instructions provided below.
Step_1: Close the ransom note of Blitzkrieg ransomware and any of its opened programs you can find. If you find it hard to do so, you can close it via Task Manager. Just tap Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to launch the Task Manager.
Step_2: Next, go to the Processes tab and look for the malicious process of Blitzkrieg ransomware. Such processes typically consume a high amount of system resources and are named randomly so you need to beware of them. Once you found these processes, right-click on each one of them 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 dubious programs that might be related to Blitzkrieg ransomware and then Uninstall it/them.
Step_5: Close Control Panel and then tap Win + E to launch File Explorer.
Step_6: After opening File Explorer, navigate to the following directories below
- %TEMP%
- %APPDATA%
- %DESKTOP%
- %USERPROFILE%\Downloads
- C:\ProgramData\local\
- C: \Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\% Temp%\****. Exe
- C: \Users\Administrator\AppData\Local\Temp\
Step_7: Now look for the malicious components of Blitzkrieg ransomware such as HowToBackFiles.txt, and [random].exe and then delete all of them.
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 trouble and time, you can just use Restoro, 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 Blitzkrieg 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 Blitzkrieg ransomware.
Step_11: Close the Registry Editor.
Step_12: Empty your 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 Blitzkrieg 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.
Congratulations, you have just removed Blitzkrieg Ransomware in Windows 10 all by yourself. If you would like to read more helpful articles and tips about various software and hardware visit fixmypcfree.com daily.
Now that’s how you remove Blitzkrieg Ransomware in Windows 10 on a computer. On the other hand, if your computer is going through some system-related issues that have to get fixed, there is a one-click solution known as Restoro you could check out to resolve them.
This program is a useful tool that could repair corrupted registries and optimize your PC’s overall performance. Aside from that, it also cleans out your computer for any junk or corrupted files that help you eliminate any unwanted files from your system. This is basically a solution that’s within your grasp with just a click. It’s easy to use as it is user-friendly. For a complete set of instructions in downloading and using it, refer to the steps below
Perform a full system scan using Restoro. To do so, follow the instructions below.
