Hakbit Ransomware

Hakbit Ransomware is a dangerous computer infection that will lock your files up and will demand that you pay a ransom when it sneakily enters your system. It works like any other ransomware infection out there, and it is very unlikely that a public decryption tool is available for this program yet. Hence, when you remove Hakbit Ransomware from your system, you have to come to terms with the idea that it might not be possible to restore your files. However, even so, that is no reason to succumb to the program’s demands because there is no guarantee the program would issue the decryption tool in the first place.

The point with Hakbit Ransomware is that the program should delete itself once the encryption is complete. Therefore, if you got infected with the proper version of this application, it is very likely that there will be nothing to remove at the end of the day. Nevertheless, at the bottom of this description, you will find of a list of files associated with Hakbit Ransomware, and if you find those files on your computer, you should terminate that immediately. In fact, the most efficient way to remove anything related to this infection would be by employing a powerful antispyware tool.

Before we found ourselves in this situation, our computers were clean and there was no malware on them. So how did Hakbit Ransomware manage to enter our computers? Does it use any magical tactic to reach us? The truth is that the ransomware program employs the most common ransomware distribution tactics. Our research team suggests that is spreads through spam email and unsafe downloads via RDP connection. While this sounds like the most basic distribution method that one can think of, the unnerving part is that users ALLOW the likes of Hakbit Ransomware to enter their systems.

Of course, no one in their right mind would want to get infected with ransomware. But we are also often unaware of the malicious threats that are about to reach us. For instance, the spam emails that carry ransomware installers may often look like legitimate notifications from reliable parties. Also, some users are used to opening attached files without any check-up. However, you should at least scan the received file with a security tool of your choice. Even if the file looks reliable, it wouldn’t hurt to double-check.

Now, if Hakbit Ransomware manages to slither into the target system, the program will definitely encrypt your files. All the encrypted files get the “.crypted” extension added to their filenames, and this extension works like a stamp that clearly says your files were affected by Hakbit Ransomware. The infection also walks an extra mile by deleting the Shadow Volume copies (provided they have been enabled). Some ransomware programs delete the Shadow Volume copies to prevent users from restoring their files. In other words, if the Shadow Volume copies are gone, the victim is more likely to transfer the ransom payment.

Hakbit Ransomware tries to push victims into transferring the money by displaying the following message on the desktop background:

Attention! All your files were encrypted!
to get your files back send 300 USD worth in Bitcoins and contact us with proof of
payment and your Unique Identifier Key.
We will send you a decryption tool with your permission decryption password.

When you have lost all hope, it might seem that paying the ransom is your only option. However, please bear in mind that you might have backed up some of your files on a cloud drive. Or maybe you regularly transfer files to your external hard drive. Whichever it might be, you should NEVER pay the money to these criminals because it would only enable them to carry on with their malicious deeds.

As mentioned, Hakbit Ransomware deletes itself once the encryption is complete. However, you can still apply the manual removal instructions below if the malware files remain. If you feel that the manual removal is too complicated for you, invest in a licensed security tool that will help you terminate all the malicious files from your system as soon as possible.

You should also learn more about ransomware distribution tactics to avoid similar intruders in the future. Ransomware is not going anywhere any time soon.

How to Remove Hakbit Ransomware

1. Press Win+R and type %TEMP%. Click OK.
2. Delete the wallpaper.bmp from the directory.
3. Press Win+R and type %APPDATA%. Click OK.
4. Go to Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup.
5. Delete one of the following files:
   lsass.exe
   svchst.exe
   crcss.exe
   chrome32.exe
   firefox.exe
   calc.exe
   mysqld.exe
   dllhst.exe
   opera32.exe
   memop.exe
   spoolcv.exe
   ctfmom.exe
   SkypeApp.exe
6. Run a full system scan with SpyHunter.