What is RT4BLOCK ransomware? And how does it carry out its attack?
RT4BLOCK ransomware is a newly spotted file-encrypting virus that also happens to be a new variant of RotorCrypt ransomware. This new RotorCrypt variant uses a “.RT4BLOCK” suffix when marking its encrypted files. Apart from the extension and the ransom note, nothing much has changed in this new malware strain as it still carries out its attack the same way as its predecessors.
RT4BLOCK ransomware will establish its connection the moment it succeeds in infiltrating the targeted computer. It establishes its connection by connecting to its remote C&C server where it downloads more malicious files that help it in implementing its attack. It also makes modifications in the Windows Registry that help it in achieving persistence. Usually, it modifies the RunOnce sub-keys in the Registry so that it can still run on every system startup. After these changes are carried out, RT4BLOCK ransomware will begin to encrypt files with the following formats:
.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
After finding files to target, RT4BLOCK ransomware encrypts them using a sophisticated encryption algorithm. It then adds the “RT4BLOCK” extension to every affected file and releases a text file named NEWS_INGiBiToR.txt which has the following content:
“===================================================================================================
We want to give you important information.
Your files are fine, but they are in a locked state.
Attention!!!
time is limited, long waiting is fraught with data loss, we recommend contacting by email immediately
attached to the file name and in this text document.
Please note!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In case of attempts to restore files by third-party programs, your files will be damaged forever!
Your computer has a unique code, if this code is damaged, you will also lose all your files!
We have the right to detect attempts to restore files manually, destroy code and files irrevocably,
as well as analytical data of your company will be transferred to experts for further action!
In case of cooperation with us, we will return all your files to their original state, as well as get information on
your server protection and analytical data will be removed from our database.
Primary mail for communication: [email protected]
______________________15 days to reply, after a while the data will be erased_______________________”
How does RT4BLOCK ransomware spread online?
Currently, it is yet not known how exactly RT4BLOCK ransomware spread online. However, it could be using the same common method that other ransomware threat uses which is via malicious spam email campaigns. In most cases, cybercrooks use social engineering in spreading their malicious files so you have to be careful in opening emails even if the email may seem to be sent by some well-known company or group.
Obliterate RT4BLOCK ransomware from your compromised PC with the help of the following removal instructions.
Step_1: First, tap the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys on your keyboard to open the Task Manager.
Step_2: After opening the Task Manager, go to the Processes tab and look for a process named “launcher.exe” as well as any suspicious-looking process that takes up most of your CPU’s resources and is most likely related to RT4BLOCK 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 RT4BLOCK 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 the malicious components of RT4BLOCK ransomware such as NEWS_INGiBiToR.txt, [random].exe, and 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 RT4BLOCK 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 RT4BLOCK 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 RT4BLOCK 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 RT4BLOCK 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.
