What is Nog4yH4n Project ransomware? And how does it execute its attack?
Nog4yH4n Project ransomware is a new crypto-virus created based on the open-source platform, HiddenTear. This new HiddenTear variant was discovered at the end of September 2018 and seems to be targeting English-speaking users and its developers appear to be from Turkey. According to security experts, this crypto-malware is still in its development phase although it can still encrypt files.
Once it infiltrates a computer, it will drop its malicious payload in the system (hidden-tear.exe). This malicious payload will connect the computer to a Command and Control server managed by the attackers. After establishing a connection, it downloads other files from the remote server and places them in some system folders. It then proceeds to modify some registry entries and keys in the Windows Registry allowing itself to run on every system boot automatically. Following the system modifications, it begins to scan the system in search for files with specific formats such as:
.txt, .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .pdf, .pps, .ppt, .pptx, .odt, .gif, .jpg, .png, .db, .csv, .sql, .mdb.sln.php, .asp, .aspx, .html, .xml, .psd, .frm, .myd, .myi, .dbf, .mp3, .mp4, .avi, .mov, .mpg, .rm, .wmv, .m4a, .mpa, .wav, .sav, .gam, .log, .ged, .msg, .myo, .tax, .ynab, .ifx, .ofx, .qfx, .qif, .qdf, .tax2013, .tax2014, .tax2015, .box, .ncf, .nsf, .ntf, .lwp
Once it finds its targeted files, Nog4yH4n Project ransomware will encrypt them using the AES encryption algorithm. After the encryption, it appends the .locked extension to each one of the affected files. It then releases a text file named “HACKED N0G4YH4N.txt” which contains the ransom note stating:
“This computer has been hacked
Your personal files have been encrypted. Send me BTC or food to get the decryption passcode.
After that, you’ll be able to see your beloved files again.
With love… Nog4yH4n Project’)”
Cyber crooks behind Nog4yH4n Project ransomware demands a ransom in BTC in exchange for file recovery. However, this is something you must not do as you will only end up getting tricked by these crooks. So if your computer somehow got infected with this crypto-virus, the first thing you must do is to terminate it right away and then use an alternative method in recovering your encrypted files without having to pay the ransom.
How is the malicious payload of Nog4yH4n Project ransomware disseminated online?
The malicious payload of Nog4yH4n Project ransomware can be disseminated via unprotected RDP configuration, malicious spam email campaigns, deceptive downloads, botnets, exploit kits, fake updates, and many more. This is why you must be more careful in browsing the web and downloading files online. In addition, you must always make sure that both your operating system and antivirus programs are updated.
Terminate Nog4yH4n Project ransomware from your system by following the given removal guide below.
Step_1: Tap Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to launch the Task Manager.
Step_2: Go to Processes and look for the malicious processes of Nog4yH4n Project ransomware then 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 dubious programs that might be related to Nog4yH4n Project 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 and look for Nog4yH4n Project ransomware’s malicious components such as the hidden-tear.exe, HACKED N0G4YH4N.txt, [random].exe, and other suspicious-looking files and then erase them all.
- %TEMP%
- %APPDATA%
- %DESKTOP%
- %USERPROFILE%\Downloads
- C:\ProgramData\local\
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 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 Nog4yH4n Project 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 Nog4yH4n Project 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 Nog4yH4n Project 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 Nog4yH4n Project 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 Nog4yH4n Project 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.
