What is .black007 File Extension ransomware? And how does it execute its attack?
.black007 File Extension ransomware is a file-encrypting virus that also happens to be a new variant of Jigsaw ransomware. It was discovered on July 23, 2018 and uses the “.black007” extension, hence its name.
Once it is able to infect a computer, it releases its malicious payload which is used to connect the computer to a remote server controlled by the cyber crooks behind this new Jigsaw variant. After dropping the malicious payload, it downloads several malicious components that will be used in executing its attack and to help it remain invisible and avoid detection from any security programs installed in the computer.
It also alters some existing registry entries in the Windows Registry. This allows the crypto-malware to run automatically every time a victim turns on the infected computer. Once all these modifications are applied, it begins to scan the computer for files with the following extensions:
.3dm, .3g2, .3gp, .7zip, .aaf, .accdb, .aep, .aepx, .aet, .ai, .aif, .as, .as.txt, .as3, .asf, .asp, .asx, .avi, .bmp, .c, .class, .cpp, .cs, .csv, .dat, .db, .dbf, .doc, .docb, .docm, .docx, .dot, .dotm, .dotx, .dwg, .dxf, .dxf.c, .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, .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, .zip
.black007 File Extension ransomware uses a sophisticated encryption algorithm in locking its targeted files. After the encryption, it opens an HTA application window containing its ransom note that reads:
“I want to play a game with you. Let me explain the rules:
Your personal files are being deleted. Your photos, videos, documents, etc…
But, don’t worry! It will only happen if you don’t comply.
However I’ve already encrypted your personal files, so you cannot access them.
Every hour I select some of them to delete permanently,
therefore I won’t be able to access them, either.
Are you familiar with the concept of exponential growth? Let me help you out.
It starts out slowly then increases rapidly.
During the first 24 hours, you will only lose a few files,
the second day a few hundred, the third day a few thousand, and so on.
If you turn off your computer or try to close me when I start next time
you will get 1000 files deleted as a punishment.
Yes you will want me to start next time since I am the only one that
is capable to decrypt your personal data for you.
Now, let’s start and enjoy our little game together!
1 file will be deleted.
Please, send at least $150 worth of Bitcoin here:
[Address redacted]”
How is the malicious payload of .black007 File Extension ransomware distributed?
The malicious payload of this new Jigsaw variant might be distributed using the commonly used method by ransomware developers – spam emails. The malicious payload may be in the form of a zip file, PDF file or a document with macro scripts that once opened will run a command that launches .black007 File Extension ransomware into the computer. Thus, you need to be more cautious when it comes to downloading email attachments.
You can wipe out .black007 File Extension ransomware successfully by following the given removal guide below.
Step 1: Close the program window of .black007 File Extension ransomware. If you find it hard to do so, tap Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to launch the Task Manager.
Step 2: Go to Processes and look for the malicious process of .black007 File Extension ransomware like “JigsawRansomware.exe” and other suspicious processes then right click on each one of them and select End Process or End Task to kill their processes.
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 .black007 File Extension ransomware and then Uninstall it/them.
Step 5: Tap Win + E to launch File Explorer.
Step 6: After opening File Explorer, navigate to the following directories below and look for the malicious components of .black007 File Extension like JigsawRansomware.exe as well as other malicious files then remove them all.
Step 7: Close the File Explorer.
Make sure that you are tech savvy enough to the point where you know exactly how to use and navigate your computer’s Registry before you proceed to the next steps below. Keep in mind that any changes you make will highly impact your computer. To save you the trouble and time, you can just use [product-name], 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 .black007 File Extension 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 .black007 File Extension ransomware.
Step 11: Close the Registry Editor.
Step 12: Empty the contents of 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 .black007 File Extension 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.
Right after you followed the removal guide above, complete the removal process of .black007 File Extension ransomware by using [product-name].
Perform a full system scan using [product-code]. To do so, follow these steps:
- Turn on your computer. If it’s already on, you have to reboot
- After that, the BIOS screen will be displayed, but if Windows pops up instead, reboot your computer and try again. Once you’re on the BIOS screen, repeat pressing F8, by doing so the Advanced Option shows up.
- To navigate the Advanced Option use the arrow keys and select Safe Mode with Networking then hit
- Windows will now load the SafeMode with Networking.
- Press and hold both R key and Windows key.
- If done correctly, the Windows Run Box will show up.
- Type in the URL address, [product-url] in the Run dialog box and then tap Enter or click OK.
- After that, it will download the program. Wait for the download to finish and then open the launcher to install the program.
- Once the installation process is completed, run [product-code] to perform a full system scan.
- After the scan is completed click the “Fix, Clean & Optimize Now”button.
