Kuus Ransomware

Kuus Ransomware is one of the threats from the so-called Stop Ransomware family. Malicious applications from there are similar one to another not only because they encrypt personal files and show ransom notes but also because the messages in their notes all provide almost identical instructions. This version does not seem to be an exception, as its ransom note asks to pay the same amount as other similar threats (980 or 480 Us dollars) in exchange for unique decryption tools. If you want more details about its working manner as well as learn where it might come from and how to erase it, you could read the rest of this article. Below the article you can also find our removal instructions that show how you could try to erase Kuus Ransomware manually.

Let us begin by explaining how you could receive this malicious application. Usually, threats like Kuus Ransomware are spread through malicious email attachments, unsecured RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) connections, and unreliable file-sharing websites. Thus, you can never let your guard down if you want to avoid such malware. Consequently, we advise checking all data received or downloaded from questionable sources with a reputable antimalware tool. It would be smart to check even those files that might not look suspicious, for example, pictures or text documents, because hackers like to disguise malicious data. Also, we recommend securing RDP connections, especially if you use them often, for example, to work or study remotely. Keep in mind that hackers are extremely active due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so it is best if you take all possible safety precautions.

Next, we ought to talk about how Kuus Ransomware works. Like many applications from the Stop Ransomware family, the threat may create a Registry entry that would allow it to restart with the operating system and place copies of its launcher in a couple of randomly named folders. If you want to know more about the data that this threat might create upon entering the system, you should check the deletion instructions available below the article. Once the malicious application is settled, it ought to start encrypting various personal files, for example, pictures, photos, videos, various documents, and so on. Each encrypted file ought to get the .kuus extension, which is the reason why the malware was named Kuus Ransomware. After the targeted files are encrypted, the threat should create a text file that is supposed to contain instructions on how to pay ransom and receive decryption tools.

As usual for threats from the Stop Ransomware family, the full price is 980 US dollars and for users who contact hackers in 72 hours, the price is 490 US dollars. Even if the proposition may appear to be tempting we advise not to rush. It is essential to understand that while hackers might promise and offer various things to convince you to pay ransom, there are no guarantees that they will send you the promised decryption tools. In other words, it is possible that Kuus Ransomware’s developers might not hold on to their end of the deal and take your money without delivering the decryption tools. In such a case, you would lose not just your data but also some of your savings.

Provided you do not want to risk losing your money in vain, we recommend moving on to the malware’s deletion. The reason specialists advise removing Kuus Ransomware is because it might restart with the operating system every time that you reboot your device. Every time that it does so, there is a possibility that the malicious application could encrypt new files. We cannot be sure that the threat will act this way, but if you do not want to take any chances we recommend deleting the ransomware with no hesitation. If you think you can handle the task you could try to erase it manually while following the instructions available below this paragraph. However, if the process seems too difficult and tiring, we advise installing a reliable antimalware tool that would eliminate Kuus Ransomware.

Restart the computer in Safe Mode

Windows 8/Windows 10

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

Windows XP/Windows Vista/Windows 7

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

Erase Kuus Ransomware

1. Press Win+E.
2. Check 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 locate these paths:
   %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data
   %LOCALAPPDATA%
5. Find 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. Find this path: %WINDIR%\System32\Tasks
7. Look for a file called Time Trigger Task or similarly, right-click it and choose Delete.
8. Exit File Explorer.
9. Press Win+R.
10. Type Regedit and press Enter.
11. Go to this path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
12. Find a value name called SysHelper, right-click it, and press Delete.
13. Exit Registry Editor.
14. Empty Recycle bin.
15. Restart the system.