DevNightmare Ransomware - How to remove

DevNightmare ransomware is a new ransomware virus based on the first open source code ransomware project Hidden Tear. So the method of encryption it utilizes is the popular one – the asymmetric encryption algorithm. It gives the feeling that the hackers, who released this new spin off of Hidden Tear, wanted to make quick profit by exploiting the foreign code. On the other hand, they do not seem to be as smart as to create their authentic one. Thus, we believe that DevNightmare ransomware virus is going to be cracked in the near future.

About DevNightmare Ransomware

As it has been already revealed, DevNightmare cryptomalware uses the favorite cipher, namely, AES cipher, to encrypt the data. It targets the following file types:

.txt, .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx, .odt, .jpg, .png, .csv, .sql, .mdb, .sln, .php, .asp, .aspx, .html, .xml, .psd, .dll, .lnk, .pdf

Each aimed at data file of these files types are appended .2xx9 extension. When all these targets have been successfully attacked, READ_ME.txt text file hits the compromised folders. This text file encloses the ransom note:

Congratulations!!!…
Your System is inficated with Dev-Nightmare 2xx9 Ransomware
Your All Files and database are encrypted.
If you want you files back contact me at [email protected]
Send me some money or bitcoins
And I hate fake peoples.
Support e-mail [email protected]

As you can observe from the note above, the cyber criminal neither has any proficiency in coding, nor in the English grammar. We may question the sanity of this cyber crook as well. It gives the impression that any amount of money will be sufficient to get the key for decryption. However, as it is quite obvious from the note, the behavior of this ‘‘hacher’’ is hardly predictable. It would be much easier to forecast the weather for the next week from your leftover coffee than to foresee the actions to be undertaken by this crazy blackmailer. Who knows, if the modest amount of money will not be taken as an insult. It would be better, if you did not contact him (her) by the e-mail [email protected], provided in the message. Better read the following sections to learn how to secure your data and device in the future and how to remove DevNightmare crypto virus alternatively.

How is DevNightmare Ransomware Distributed?

The payload of DevNightmare crypto-malware needs to be somehow downloaded on your computer’s system. The most utilized technique for doing that is the deceptive tactics, which involves the receipt of spam e-mails disguised as important documents. Thus, DevNightmare virus can legitimately be called a Trojan Horse. This way the victim is forced to open them or their attachments and click the links present. The executable file of the ransomware can also be downloaded and installed automatically on one’s PC. This takes place with the help of exploit kits, such as Angler EK, Nuclear EK, Blackhole EK, etc. (not indentified yet). These are malicious program codes running on suspicious or hacked domains. When the user visits such sites, his (her) computer’s system is clogged with DevNightmare automatically.

How to Decrypt Files Encrypted by DevNightmare Ransomware?

DevNightmare crypto virus is suggested to be decrypted with the HiddenTear decryptor. However, the specific decryptor has not been released yet. We recommend to invoke your backup, such as removable drives, etc., which was not connected to the device during or after the infection. You can also check the system restore, that are the Shadow Volume Copies, to see, if they were not deleted. If nothing helps, you can always try professional data recovery software like Recuva, PhotoRec, R-Studio, etc. But, first of all, copy the bundle of infected data files and remove DevNightmare file-encrypting virus with Spyhunter. These are the professional malware removal tools, which is your best option for removing such cyber threats as ransomware viruses. The manual deletion of such a virus can be too overwhelming. Nevertheless, you can find the instructions at the bottom.

How to recover DevNightmare 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 Dev-Nightmare Ransomware has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of DevNightmare 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 Dev-Nightmare Ransomware. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore DevNightmare 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 Dev-Nightmare 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 DevNightmare 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.