What is China4444 ransomware? And how does it implement its attack?
China4444 ransomware is a file-encrypting virus created to encrypt important data in a computer. It is a new iteration of the 0x4444 ransomware which also happens to belong under the GlobeImposter ransomware group. There isn’t any major change in this new variant as with the other latest variants of GlobeImposter ransomware as this one still follows the same sequence in implementing its attack.
Once it implements its attack, it will drop a seemingly legitimate executable file named “svhost.exe” which is actually the malicious payload of China4444 ransomware. After that, it connects the infected computer to a remote server controlled by the attackers. In this remote server, it downloads other malicious components and places them on system folders. These malicious components are then used to make alterations in the Windows Registry so that China4444 ransomware can run on every system boot. Once these changes are applied, the search for files to encrypt begins.
It usually targets common user-generated files such as documents, images, videos, audio, database, archives, and many more. Once it finds its targeted files, it encrypts them using a sophisticated encryption algorithm. Following file encryption, it appends the .RYK suffix to every compromised file and releases a file named “HOW_TO_BACK_FILES.txt” which contains the following content:
“YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED !!!
TO DECRYPT, FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS:
To recover data you need a decrypt tool.
To get the decrypt tool you should:
1. In the letter include your personal ID! Send me this ID in your first email to me!
2. We can give you a free test for decrypting a few files (NOT VALUE) and assign the price for decryption of all files!
3. After we send you instructions on how to pay for the decrypt tool and after payment, you will receive a decryption tool!
4. We can decrypt few files in quality the evidence that we have the decoder.
DO NOT TRY TO DO SOMETHING WITH YOUR FILES BY YOURSELF YOU WILL BREAK YOUR DATA !!! ONLY WE ARE CAN HELP YOU! CONTACT US:
[email protected]
[email protected]
ATTENTION !!! THIS IS YOUR PERSONAL ID WICH YOU HAVE TO SEND IN FIRST LETTER:
6D 88 E1 B0 6F 59 C0 4D DB AD 76 1E D0 B6 51 1A88 69 17 2A 7A 05 CD D1 A5 16 51 9F 26 A4 50 6E18 0A E4 FC 65 20 4A”
How does China4444 ransomware spread over the web?
The malicious payload of China4444 ransomware may spread over the web via malicious spam emails containing an infected attachment or corrupted link. Crooks mostly attach infected files in emails containing malicious scripts used to install crypto-malware like China4444 ransomware in the system. This is why you need to double-check the email first before you download and open the attached file as it could be a harmful one that could cause damage to your computer.
To effectively eliminate China4444 ransomware from your PC, make sure to follow the removal instructions below.
Step_1: First, you have to stop the malicious process of China4444 ransomware by opening the Task Manager. To do that, simply tap Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys on your keyboard.
Step_2: Under the Task Manager, switch to the Processes tab and find a process named svhost.exe as well as any suspicious-looking process that takes up most of your CPU’s resources and is most likely related to China4444 ransomware.
Step_3: After that, close the Task Manager.
Step_4: Tap Win + R, type in appwiz.cpl and click OK or tap Enter to open Programs and Features under Control Panel.
Step_5: Under the list of installed programs, look for China4444 ransomware or anything similar, and then uninstall it
Step_6: Next, close the Control Panel and tap Win + E keys to launch File Explorer.
Step_7: Navigate to the following locations below and look for China4444 ransomware’s malicious components such as svhost.exe, HOW_TO_BACK_FILES.txt, and [random].exe, as well as other suspicious files, then delete all of them.
- %TEMP%
- %WINDIR%\System32\Tasks
- %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Templates\
- %USERPROFILE%\Downloads
- %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
Step_8: 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 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_9: Tap Win + R to open Run and then type in Regedit in the field and tap enter to pull up Windows Registry.
Step_10: Navigate to the following path:
- 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_11: Delete the registry keys and sub-keys created by China4444 ransomware.
Step_12: Close the Registry Editor and empty the Recycle Bin.
Try to recover your encrypted files using the Shadow Volume copies
Restoring your encrypted files using Windows Previous Versions feature will only be effective if China4444 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 China4444 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 China4444 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.
