National Security Bureau Virus - How to remove

“National Security Bureau” warning screen lock is a misleading, deceptive and dangerous notification that you might get on your computer. Actually, it is a lethal computer virus that can be categorized as a screen locker and ransomware.

Even though it can be considered to be a typical ransomware infection, they employ some advanced techniques to scare users and force them to pay the ransom, which is regarded to as a “fine” in this case. While most ransomware viruses simply encrypt files stored on the computer and allow users to continue using operating system, National Security Bureau Virus will also lock your home screen so you won’t be able to use the computer at all.

If you re suffering from this infection, please continue reading the article. We will provide you with detailed instructions on how to deal with National Security Bureau Virus and restore the usual order of your system.

How National Security Bureau Virus Operates

Cyber criminals behind National Security Bureau Virus are trying to scare you – they claim that your computer has been locked due to illegal activity. They try to convince users that they have been using pirated software and that National Security Bureau now suspended the system due to this fact. They do it by providing this extended message on the home screen:

NATIONAL SECURITY BUREAU NSB
Your computer was automatically blocked. Reason: Pirated software found on this computer.

Your computer is now blocked. 02 files have been temporarily blocked on your computer.To regain computer access and restore you are required to pay a fine of 250 USB Blocked files will be permanently removed from your computer if the fine is not paid. The NSB has two ways to pay a fine:
1. You can pay your fine online through BitCoin. Bitcoin is available nationwide. Click the tabs below to find the nearest vendor. Your computer will be unlocked after you make your payment.
2. You can come to your provincial courthouse and pay your fine at the Cashiers window.
your computer will be unlocked within 4-5 working days.
To regain access transfer bitcoins to the following address (click to copy): 198tX7NmLg6o8qcTT2Uv9cSBVzN3oEozpv
After the payment is finalised enter Transfer ID below.
Amount 0.661 BTC
If the fine is not paid, a warrant will be issued for your arrest, which will be forwarded to your local authorities. You will be charged, fined, convicted for up to 5 years.

First of all, there are several things we would like to point out:

• Even if you do use pirated software, this is not an appropriate approach to discipline the offender;
• National Security Bureau is not responsible for this activity, they have no interest to go after there offenses;
• No legal authority would ever require to pay a fine in Bitcoins and do it right away;
• No legal authority would ever lock your screen and try to scare you.

This message is obviously a scam. Yet we can’t categorize it as a scam because  National Security Bureau Virus features other attributes that make it more similar to ransomware infection.

On the other hand, most of the ransomware viruses use special encryption algorithms to lock personal files and then ask for a ransom to be paid in order to provide dedicated decryptor. They also employ a unique extension that is added to the end of every encrypted file. National Security Bureau virus doesn’t even have an encryption technology, they simply can’t do that.

However, instead of encrypting your files they simply lock the screen and display this scary message in order to lure your money. We have seen similar viruses in the past – International Police Association virus, Gendarmerie Nationale virus, Cyber Police Ransomware Virus, and so on, so it’s not a new player in the game.

Scare Tactic Used by National Security Bureau Ransomware

They claim that the fine is $250, although at the same time 0.661 BTC is required and at the current exchange rate is more than $5000. It’s either developers of this virus are not familiar with basic math or they did it on purpose in order to confuse users.

They also state, that in case one fails to pay the fine (ransom) in time, they will be arrested and even sent behind the bars for 5 years.

It’s not a secret that pirated software is still in use all around the world, so the chances that the virus infected computer that actually has some pirated software installed are very high. It’s easy to scare users this way and force them to pay.

However, we highly suggest not to do that. Even if you do use software that is pirated, that’s not a good decision. Instead of that, purchase the software you stole and deal with the  National Security Bureau Ransomware virus using other methods.

How To Deal With National Security Bureau Infection

It all depends on the fact if you can access your operating system or not. If you can access your original home screen and browser the Internet, do not hesitate to get Spyhunter and scan your computer with either one of those programs. It should automatically detect and remove National Security Bureau Ransomware in just a few seconds.

If you can’t do that, you will have to download either one of those programs into the different computer, load it to a USB stick or other hard drive and upload it to the infected computer. Also, you should run your OS in a safe mode.

Please see the removal guide provided below to get further instructions. You can always ask us a question in the comments section too.

Automatic Malware removal tools

How to recover National Security Bureau Virus 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 National Security Bureau Ransomware has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of National Security Bureau Virus

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 National Security Bureau Ransomware. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore National Security Bureau Virus 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 National Security Bureau 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 National Security Bureau Virus 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.