Kolobo Ransomware

Kolobo Ransomware is yet another computer infection that intends to force innocent users to pay a ransom fee in exchange for a file decryption tool. Encrypting ransomware programs have been all the rage lately, and it seems that quite a few cyber criminals opt to buy such programs and infect as many users as possible with the intention to reap easy financial profits. Users are strongly encouraged to remove Kolobo Ransomware and other malicious threats that might be installed on their computers. Malware removal might be too challenging, so users should consider using a licensed antispyware tool to complete this task.

During our research, we have found that this program is a very old ransomware application that was first detected in March 2014. The official homepage for this program used to be hosted on filesencoded.com, but since it has been more than three years since the release of this infection, the official homepage does not work anymore. Judging from the behavioral patterns and the structure of this program, we can tell that it is a variant of the Gingerbread ransomware infection. Gingerbread ransomware was first documented in November 2016, and just like the Kolobo infection this program always displays the ransom note entirely in the Russian language.

Since the ransom note is in Russian, we can assume that the program targets computer users in the Russian-speaking countries, mainly in Russia and the CIS states. However, if you stumble upon the program’s distribution path, you might get infected with the ransomware, too. The best way to avoid this infection is to refrain from downloading unfamiliar files from third-party websites. Also, ransomware programs often employ spam emails to spread around, so if you receive an email with an attachment, and that email message urges you to open the said attachment, perhaps you should not do that. Or, if you think that you must open the file no matter what, please scan the file with a computer security program of your choice first.

However, if the program manages to enter your computer either way, then you can expect something nasty from it. Like most of the ransomware programs, Kolobo Ransomware will scan your computer searching for the files it can encrypt, and then it will use the XOR and RSA algorithms to scramble the information within your files. Once the encryption is complete, you will no longer be able to access most of your frequently-used data, so that is definitely problematic.

Also, when the program is done with the encryption, it changes your desktop background into the ransom note that tells you in Russian your files have been encrypted. It says that Kolobok (a Russian fairy tale character) has left home and is struggling really hard to pay rent, so he needs your help in exchange to your files. You are supposed to contact the criminals behind this infection via the email address kolobocheg@aol.com, but seeing how this program is so old, the chances are that there is no one to receive your messages at the other end, and so it is not like anyone would issue the decryption key, too.

The ransomware program is old, so there should be a decryption tool for it available for the public. However, if you cannot find it, please do not panic. You can still restore your files from an external backup. Also, quite often users save a lot of files in their inbox without even realizing it. So when you remove Kolobo Ransomware from your computer, check all the email messages in your inbox and outbox and you will be surprised just how many of your files are there.

For the manual removal, you can follow the instructions you will find right below this description. However, if you are not sure you can do it on your own; you should invest in a legitimate security application that will delete Kolobo Ransomware automatically, at the same time safeguarding your system from similar infections in the future.

If you have questions about ransomware infections or how to secure your computer against similar threats, please feel free to leave us a comment. Our team is always ready to assist you, and we appreciate your feedback! Do all you can to avoid malware!

How to Remove Kolobo Ransomware

1. Press Win+R and type %AppData%. Click OK.
2. Go to Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup.
3. Delete the ie_updater.exe file. Go back to the %AppData% directory.
4. Look for the ie_updater.exe there. If the file is present, delete it.
5. Go to your Downloads folder.
6. Delete the most recently downloaded files.
7. Scan your PC with the SpyHunter free scanner.