How to Remove KKK Ransomware

How to Remove KKK Ransomware?

Readers recently started to report the following message being displayed when they boot their computer:

KKK
You are Infected by KKK Ransomware.
Please click on the Payment to restore files.
Click on Information to see what happend.
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Payment
Pay 0.05 bitcoins to the address below.
14CtzUcYddHPJ6ahDRq2CuPjkTAuBszzSP
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Information
You are Infected with Ransom ware. Ransom ware steals your files and holds them for ransom. You can decrypt your files by referring to the Payment tab on the main form.

Are your files encrypted? If you notice the .kkk file extension, you’re dealing with a brand new ransomware virus. This program was discovered in June 2017 and has already established to be a devastating infection. It is related to the infamous HiddenTear Ransomware project. And it effectively denies you access to your data. Ransomware-type programs overall don’t mess around. In fact, these are the most aggressive and harmful kinds of parasites you could download. Just to make matters worse, hackers have infested the Web with ransomware. We come across new file-encrypting viruses practically every day. As you could imagine, there is a very simple explanation of the rising number of ransomware programs out there. They allow cyber crooks to make money. Effortless, illegal money. Hackers aren’t going to miss such golden opportunities to blackmail innocent PC users. How does the scheme work? First of all, your computer gets infected (behind your back). Once the ransomware successfully lands on board, it initiates a thorough scan and locates its target files. One rather curious detail about this program –  the virus only locks data on your desktop. However, that is more than enough to cause you trouble. Do you keep backup copies of your precious information? Infections like this one show you just how important backups are. In the future, make sure you protect your data in advance. Otherwise, you might get stuck with another similar file-encrypting pest. This particular program doesn’t differ from the classic ransomware pattern. It uses a complicated encrypting algorithm and locks your files. If you didn’t think this parasite was terrible already, know the file extension (.kkk) it adds stands for “Ku Klux Klan”. Oh yes, hackers are inconsiderate enough to use the Ku Klux Klan as an inspiration. The virus messes with your files’ original format and turns them into gibberish. Seeing the .kkk extension is a crystal clear sign that the parasite has encrypted your data. In other words, you’re no longer able to open or view your very own information. That includes your pictures, music, videos, various documents. The ransomware is stubbornly trying to involve you in a cyber scam. Apart from encrypting your files, it also drops detailed payment instructions. Following those should be the very last thing you do.

How did I get infected with?

Watch out for the parasite’s malicious executable – Facebook.exe. The most commonly used method doesn’t involve your permission. After all, hackers are perfectly aware you wouldn’t agree to compromise your safety. That is why they rely on tricks and downright lies. For instance, you might have clicked open a fake email or a message in social media. Next time you receive some random job application or some other suspicious-looking email-attachment, delete it. As you can see, clicking isn’t a risk worth taking. Keep an eye out for potential infections. Trust us when we say,  preventing installation is a lot easier than having to delete malware. To keep your computer infection-free, you have to be careful. Stay away from illegitimate websites as well. This is yet another quite popular method for parasites to travel the Web. In addition, ransomware could get distributed via a Trojan horse. That means you might be having more parasites on your device so check out the PC. Better to be safe than sorry. We’d recommend that you stay away from unverified programs, especially when then come bundled. Also, infections use exploit kits, bogus software updates and third-party ads to get downloaded. Never underestimate a potential threat and be cautious online. You won’t regret it.

Why is KKK dangerous?

The ransomware makes your data useless. By modifying its original format, this program causes a mess on your computer. All your favorite files get sneakily encrypted and are currently being held hostage. Hackers do that solely to trick you into paying for a decryptor. You see, crooks encrypt your information and then offer a solution. As mentioned, the parasite creates ransom notes. These irritating messages tirelessly try to convince you that you have to make a payment. On theory, this guarantees you a decryption key. Ultimately, you’re supposed to be able to regain access to your locked data. Hackers aren’t really famous for being honorable people, though. They have absolutely no intention to free your files because all that is important here is scamming you. Giving your money away would be a mistake and you know it. Keep the 0.05 Bitcoins (131 USD) crooks demand. To delete the infection manually, please follow our detailed removal guide down below.

KKK Removal Instructions

STEP 1: Kill the Malicious Process

STEP 2: Reveal Hidden Files

STEP 3: Locate Startup Location

STEP 4: Recover KKK 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 KKK 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”
• Selecat the “View” tab
• Select “Show hidden files and folders” option
• Uncheck “Hide protected operating system files”
• Click “Apply” and “OK” button

STEP 3: Locate KKK 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.