Btos Ransomware

Victims of Btos Ransomware should notice the .btos extension on their personal files. Also, data with the mentioned extension should be unreadable because the malicious application encrypts it with a robust encryption algorithm. Besides enciphered files, users should notice a text document called _readme.txt that, when opened, should show a message from the malware’s developers. According to it, the hackers have software that could decrypt all files, but they want to get paid before providing it. The problem is that once hackers obtain the demanded money, they can take it whether they send the promised decryptor or not. Therefore, paying a ransom would be risky and could end badly. Before you decide what to do, you could read our full article. Also, if you are interested in learning how to remove Btos Ransomware, you should check the deletion instructions available below this report.

Many users do not know about threats like Btos Ransomware until they encounter one. They often travel in disguise; for example, the threat’s installer could masquerade as a system update, game crack, a document, and so on. Usually, they are distributed through spam emails, unreliable file-sharing websites, and similar untrustworthy sources. Thus, users that carelessly surf the Internet are often the ones who fall victim to such malicious applications. To avoid it, we recommend staying away from all files that raise suspicion or are provided by untrustworthy sources. If you have doubts, it is always a good idea to scan files with a reputable antimalware tool before opening them. Also, users should not let hackers deceive them with fake email messages, system alerts, and websites. Even if it looks like such content comes from or belongs to reputable companies such as Microsoft, you should never let your guard down and always make sure that all the material that you interact with is genuine and harmless.

What happens if Btos Ransomware infects a computer? First, the malware ought to create specific files to settle in on the device. Our researchers say that at first, the threat should create a folder containing malicious files in the %LOCALAPPDATA% directory. Next, it might create a scheduled task in the %WINDIR%\System32\Tasks directory to force the infected system to relaunch the malware at a specific hour every day or according to some other schedule. Afterward, the malware should begin the encryption process. From what we have seen while testing Btos Ransomware, it looks like the malware enciphers files that are personal and could be of high value to the computer’s owner, for example, pictures, videos, documents, and so on. Once the data becomes encrypted, it should be impossible to open it. However, you do not need to open a file to find out if it was encrypted since the malicious application should mark enciphered data with the .btos extension, for example, pumpkin.jpg.btos.

As soon as Btos Ransomware finishes encrypting files, it should create a text document called _readme.txt. It should contain a message that explains what happened to the malware’s targeted files, how they can be restored, and how to contact the malicious application’s developers. To be more precise, the note says that you can get a decryptor and unlock all of your files if you email the hashers behind Btos Ransomware and pay a ransom. The note says that the price is 980 US dollars, but users who contact hackers within 72 hours can get a 50 percent discount.

Needless to say that we do not recommend paying ransom even if you do not have backup copies and cannot restore your files. The reason we are against putting up with the hackers’ demands is that there are no guarantees that they will hold on to their end of the deal. To put it simply, you might still be unable to decrypt your files even if you do what the malware’s creators expect from you. Provided you do not want to end up being scammed and losing your money as well; we advise you to forget about the hackers’ proposal. Also, we recommend deleting Btos Ransomware because allowing it to stay on your system might endanger new data, files you might create, receive, or download after the device got infected. To learn how to remove the threat manually, you could follow the instructions placed below. On the other hand, if our steps seem too challenging, you should get a reliable antimalware tool that would eliminate Btos Ransomware for you.

Restart the computer in Safe Mode

Windows 8/Windows 10

1. Tap Win+I for Windows 8 or open Start menu for Windows 10.
2. Press the Power button.
3. Click and hold Shift, then click Restart.
4. Pick Troubleshoot and choose Advanced Options.
5. Go to Startup Settings and click Restart.
6. Press F5 and restart the PC.

Windows XP/Windows Vista/Windows 7

1. Navigate to Start, select Shutdown options, and pick Restart.
2. Press and hold F8 when the PC starts restarting.
3. Mark Safe Mode with Networking.
4. Select Enter and log on.

Remove Btos Ransomware

1. Click Win+E.
2. Find these locations:
   %TEMP%
   %USERPROFILE%\desktop
   %USERPROFILE%\downloads
3. Look for the threat’s installer, e.g., updatewin.exe; then right-click it and press Delete.
4. Then find these paths:
   %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data
   %LOCALAPPDATA%
5. Search for the threat’s created directories with random names that should contain copies of the malware’s launcher (e.g., 2a9ea166-82c4-499d-9f16-9e28ac1b8ef4), right-click them, and press Delete.
6. Recheck these paths:
   %LOCALAPPDATA%
   %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data
7. Locate files called script.ps1 or similarly, right-click them and press Delete.
8. Find this path: %WINDIR%\System32\Tasks
9. Look for a file called Time Trigger Task or similarly, right-click it and choose Delete.
10. Exit File Explorer.
11. Press Win+R.
12. Type Regedit and press Enter.
13. Go to this path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
14. Locate a value name called SysHelper, right-click it, and press Delete.
15. Exit Registry Editor.
16. Empty Recycle bin.
17. Restart the system.