What is French101 ransomware? And how does it carry out its attack?
French101 ransomware is a data-encrypting malware discovered by “Petrovic”, a security researcher. This new crypto-malware targets important data in a computer and uses a “.french101” extension in marking its encrypted files. Once it infects a computer, it will carry out numerous changes in the system. It starts by connecting to a remote server controlled by the attackers. It is where its other components are downloaded, after which will be placed on several system folders. These components are used to launch or suppress system processes as well as modify the Windows Registry so it can automatically run on system boot. Once the system modifications are completed, it proceeds to find its targeted files.
After it finds the targeted files, it will begin the encryption procedure using a sophisticated encryption algorithm that would make the files inaccessible to users as the encryption modifies the files with a symmetric key. This entails a single key that could decrypt and encrypt the affected files. However, this key itself is usually encrypted with asymmetric encryption and only the developers of French101 ransomware have access to it. French101 ransomware appends the .french101 to the affected files to mark them. It then delivers a ransom note in a text file named “HOW TO RECOVER ENCRYPTED FILES.txt” which is placed on the desktop of the infected computer. This ransom note contains the following message:
“Your files are now encrypted!
Your personal identifier:
–
All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC.
Now you should send us an email with your personal identifier.
This email will be as confirmation you are ready to pay for the decryption key.
You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us.
After payment, we will send you the decryption tool that will decrypt all your files.
Contact us using this email address: [email protected] ([email protected], [email protected])
Free decryption as a guarantee!
Before paying you can send us up to 3 files for free decryption.
The total size of files must be less than 10Mb (non-archived), and files should not contain
valuable information (databases, backups, large excel sheets, etc.).
How to obtain Bitcoins?
* The easiest way to buy bitcoins is the LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click
‘Buy bitcoins’, and select the seller by payment method and price:
hxxps://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins
* Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:
hxxp://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins
Attention!
* Do not rename encrypted files.
* Do not try to decrypt your data using third-party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
* Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price
(they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.”
How does the malicious payload of French101 ransomware distribute online?
Creators of French101 ransomware distributes its malicious payload through spam emails. The spam emails are usually attached with a malicious executable file used in installing the ransomware to the targeted system. Many users are tricked into downloading this attachment as the emails are disguised as something important like an invoice or receipt or photos. That’s why you need to be cautious when dealing with spam emails and delete any suspicious ones as soon as you spot them.
Eliminate French101 ransomware from your computer with the help of the removal instructions laid out below.
Step_1: First, boot your computer into Safe Mode with Networking, and afterward, you have to terminate the malicious processes of French101 ransomware using the Task Manager and to open it, tap Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys.
Step_2: Go to the Processes tab and look for the malicious processes of French101 ransomware named “Reset Handled Affordances” as well as other suspicious-looking processes and then 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 French101 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\
Step_7: From these directories, look for the malicious components of French101 ransomware such as HOW TO RECOVER ENCRYPTED FILES.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: Close the File Explorer and 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 French101 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 French101 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 French101 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 French101 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 French101 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.
