Remove B0r0nt0K Ransomware (+File Recovery)

How to Remove B0r0nt0K Ransomware?

B0r0nt0K is the name of a ransomware threat. It’s a dangerous and damaging. The cyber menace invades via deception, then wreaks utter havoc. Ransomware tools are hazardous. Once they infiltrate, they waste no time to spread their corruption. Their programming kicks in as soon as they settle. You discover your data locked, and get extorted for ransom. You see, B0r0nt0K uses cryptography algorithms to encrypt your files. It locks every single file, you keep on your computer. Nothing escapes it. Documents, archives, pictures, music, videos. All falls under the tool’s control. It renames your files by attaching a special extension, at the end of each one. Thus, rendering them useless. Yes, after it strikes, you discover your files are no longer accessible. If you wish to change that, it will cost you. The encryption can get removed only with a special decryption key. And, the cyber criminals, behind the ransomware, control that key. If you wish to get you, you have to follow their demands. Experts advise against doing that. Don’t follow demands. Don’t reach out to these people. Don’t pay them money. Compliance brings you nothing but regret. So, don’t comply.

How did I get infected with?

B0r0nt0K slithers into your system via deceit. It uses slyness and subtlety, and slips by you, undetected. How? Well, it preys on your carelessness. The tool uses the old but gold methods, when it comes to infiltration. It hitches a ride with freeware, corrupted links or torrents. Or, poses as a fake system or program update. Like, Java or Adobe Flash Player. And, of course, it can use spam emails. Say, you receive an email that appears legitimate. It claims to come from a well-known company, like Amazon. And, it urges you into downloading an attachment, or clicking a link. If you do, you end up with B0r0nt0K. Apply vigilance and don’t discard the importance of due diligence. That helps you keep such threats out of your PC. And, not incite them, on accident. Caution keeps an infection-free PC. The lack thereof results in tools, like B0r0nt0K, making their way into your system. Choose caution over carelessness. Your future self will thank you for it.

Why is B0r0nt0K dangerous?

Once B0r0nt0K encrypts your data, it leaves you note. It’s a text file that contains its demands. It explains your current predicament. As well as, provides instructions on what’s expected of you. You can find the ransom note on your desktop, and in each folder that contains locked files. It insists on a payment of 20 Bitcoins, made within the span of three days. Supposedly, once you complete the transfer, you’ll get sent the decryption key. And, if you don’t pay, it threatens that your files get deleted. It’s classic scare tactics. Don’t fall for it. If you think 20 Bitcoins isn’t much, and elaborate payment, think again. That amount to about 75 thousand US Dollars. Yes, you read that right. Thousand. Even if you have the money, it demands of you, do NOT pay! It will get you nothing, but regrets. There aren’t enough ways to stress that. Think about it. You have ZERO guarantees that payment gets you the key you need. Even if you follow the extortionist’s demands to the tee, it means nothing. These people can double-cross you, and leave you with less money, and your data still locked. Don’t waste your money, time, or energy dealing with cyber kidnappers. The odds are not in your favor. Let’s examine your options, shall we? Say, you choose to pay, so you send them the hefty sum. Then, what? You wait to get the key, but what if they don’t send it? Or, send you one that doesn’t work. And, even if you do get the right one, don’t rejoice just yet. Think about it. You paid to remove a symptom, not the infection itself. So, despite removing the encryption, B0r0nt0K remains. And, it’s free to strike once more. Then, you’re back to square one. After B0r0nt0K strikes, you find yourself, facing a choice. You have to decide whether to comply, or not. Make the right choice, and choose against compliance. It’s a tough call to make, but it’s the right one.

B0r0nt0K Removal Instructions

STEP 1: Kill the Malicious Process

STEP 2: Reveal Hidden Files

STEP 3: Locate Startup Location

STEP 4: Recover B0r0nt0K Encrypted Files

STEP 1: Stop the malicious process using Windows Task Manager

• Open your task Manager by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys simultaneously
• Locate the process of the ransomware. Have in mind that this is usually a random generated file.
• Before you kill the process, type the name on a text document for later reference.

• Locate any suspicious processes associated with B0r0nt0K encryption Virus.
• Right click on the process
• Open File Location
• End Process
• Delete the directories with the suspicious files.
• Have in mind that the process can be hiding and very difficult to detect

STEP 2: Reveal Hidden Files

• Open any folder
• Click on “Organize” button
  
• Choose “Folder and Search Options”
• Select the “View” tab
• Select “Show hidden files and folders” option
• Uncheck “Hide protected operating system files”
• Click “Apply” and “OK” button

STEP 3: Locate B0r0nt0K encryption Virus startup location

• Once the operating system loads press simultaneously the Windows Logo Button and the R key.

• A dialog box should open. Type “Regedit”
• WARNING! be very careful when editing the Microsoft Windows Registry as this may render the system broken.

Depending on your OS (x86 or x64) navigate to:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

• and delete the display Name: [RANDOM]

• Then open your explorer and navigate to:

Navigate to your %appdata% folder and delete the executable.

You can alternatively use your msconfig windows program to double check the execution point of the virus. Please, have in mind that the names in your machine might be different as they might be generated randomly, that’s why you should run any professional scanner to identify malicious files.

STEP 4: How to recover encrypted files?

• Method 1: The first and best method is to restore your data from a recent backup, in case that you have one.

• Method 2: File Recovery Software – Usually when the ransomware encrypts a file it first makes a copy of it, encrypts the copy, and then deletes the original. Due to this you may try to use file recovery software to recover some of your original files.
• Method 3: Shadow Volume Copies – As a last resort, you can try to restore your files via Shadow Volume Copies. Open the Shadow Explorer part of the package and choose the Drive you want to recover. Right click on any file you want to restore and click Export on it.