Dark Ransomware - How to remove

Dark is ransomware, also known as DarkWorld File Crypter. It infects Windows PCs and corrupts files, then demands a ransom of hundreds of dollars to restore the files. It’s strongly recommended to ignore Dark ransomware’s demands and instead find alternative ways to get your data back. There’s really no reason to think that the operators of Dark can actually fix the files that their ransomware encrypted.

About Dark ransomware:

Threat type	Ransomware.
How DarkWorld ransomware spreads	Malicious email attachments, malicious websites, remote access hacks.
How it affects the infected computer	It encrypts files and changes their names, it demands a $300 ransom to repair the files.
How to remove Dark ransomware	Use antivirus programs (Spyhunter, others) to remove Dark and other malware.

How DarkWorld ransomware infects PCs

Dark ransomware is new and small and seemingly not very popular. Because of this, it’s hard to say how it might spread. But we can guess – likely, it’s distributed the same way that most ransomware viruses are:

• Malicious emails. Emails with links to malicious sites or with attachments that are infected.
• RDP hacks. Weak credentials or unpatched bugs might be used to infect computers and networks.

The malware might be sent to your and hundreds of other email addresses, with the attacker hoping that at least a few of the victims open these files and allow Dark ransomware to be installed. Lists of email addresses are sold or shared, or even guessed, so it might not be possible to avoid getting malicious emails – other than trusting your spam filter to do a good job.

According to MalwareHunterTeam, Dark is a Skidware ransomware. An open source ransomware infection that serves as a base for many ransomware threats, similar to Hidden Tear. This means that ambitious cybercriminal startups don’t need to develop new malware – they can use what’s already available.

A file encrypted by DarkWorld is locked in a similar way as a password-encrypted file is (Support.microsoft.com). Except, you don’t have the password or the program to decrypt the file. So, the Dark-encrypted files appear to be corrupted. It might be possible to get them back, luckily.

When Dark encrypts a file, it also changes its name by adding “dark” as a second extension, like “picture.jpg.dark”.

Can you get your files back?

The person who made DarkWorld File Crypter asks for a ransom of $300 (in Bitcoin). This is written in the ransom note left behind by Dark, a file called “Important.txt”. The note also demands that you contact the extortionists within three days of the attack or else your files won’t be decrypted.

This might be an empty threat. At the same time, it’s unclear if Dark’s developers can even decrypt your files. They’re new and they have no reputation. Sending money to these people is not advised.

Here’s the text of the ransom note:

DEAR USER..
This is the developer of DarkWorld File Crypter tool, you have been running our tool in your system which caused your files to get encrypted.
Don’t worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like pictures, databases, documents and other important files that were encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase the Decryption tool from me.

the decryption tool will not be able to decrypt your files if the encrypted files were encrypted after 72 hours , which means you need to contact us before 72hours from decryption so we can help you solve your problem.
Please note that you’ll never restore your data without payment.
Price of private key and decrypt software is $300.

…

File backups can protect you from ransomware and similar infections, but if you don’t have a backup of your data, there are a few other ways to possibly restore your files:

• File recovery programs can be used to undelete data.
• If DarkWorld is based on open source ransomware, it’s possible that a decryptor is eventually developed that can help you restore your files. Just like Ziggy ransomware recently got one.
• If the files were only encrypted partially, you might be able to partially repair them.

But first, the Dark ransomware needs to be deleted.

How to remove Dark ransomware

You can remove Dark ransomware with antivirus programs, such as Spyhunter. Antivirus programs detect DarkWorld as HiddenTear, Trojan, Ransom, Cryptor, Malicious, and Encoder.

The files that Dark encrypted are not dangerous, so they can be left alone. If you hope to decrypt or repair them later, then make sure to create a backup for them.

Automatic Malware removal tools

How to recover Dark Ransomware encrypted files and remove the virus

Step 1. Restore system into last known good state using system restore

1. Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt:

for Windows 7 / Vista/ XP

• Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
• Press F8 key repeatedly until Advanced Boot Options window appears.
• Choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

for Windows 8 / 10

• Press Power at Windows login screen. Then press and hold Shift key and click Restart.
• Choose Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings and click Restart.
• When it loads, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list of Startup Settings.

 

2.Restore System files and settings.

• When Command Prompt mode loads, enter cd restore and press Enter.
• Then enter rstrui.exe and press Enter again.
• Click “Next” in the windows that appeared.
• Select one of the Restore Points that are available before Dark Ransomware has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of Dark Ransomware

After restoring your system, it is recommended to scan your computer with an anti-malware program, like Spyhunter and remove all malicious files related to Dark Ransomware. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore Dark Ransomware affected files using Shadow Volume Copies

If you do not use System Restore option on your operating system, there is a chance to use shadow copy snapshots. They store copies of your files that point of time when the system restore snapshot was created. Usually Dark Ransomware tries to delete all possible Shadow Volume Copies, so this methods may not work on all computers. However, it may fail to do so. Shadow Volume Copies are only available with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. There are two ways to retrieve your files via Shadow Volume Copy. You can do it using native Windows Previous Versions or via Shadow Explorer. a) Native Windows Previous Versions Right-click on an encrypted file and select Properties → Previous versions tab. Now you will see all available copies of that particular file and the time when it was stored in a Shadow Volume Copy. Choose the version of the file you want to retrieve and click Copy if you want to save it to some directory of your own, or Restore if you want to replace existing, encrypted file. If you want to see the content of file first, just click Open.

b) Shadow Explorer It is a program that can be found online for free. You can download either a full or a portable version of Shadow Explorer. Open the program. On the left top corner select the drive where the file you are looking for is a stored. You will see all folders on that drive. To retrieve a whole folder, right-click on it and select “Export”. Then choose where you want it to be stored.

Step 4. Use Data Recovery programs to recover Dark Ransomware encrypted files

There are several data recovery programs that might recover encrypted files as well. This does not work in all cases but you can try this:

• We suggest using another PC and connect the infected hard drive as slave. It is still possible to do this on infected PC though.
• Download a data recovery program.
• Install and scan for recently deleted files.

Note: In many cases it is impossible to restore data files affected by modern ransomware. Thus I recommend using decent cloud backup software as precaution. We recommend checking out Carbonite, BackBlaze, CrashPlan or Mozy Home.