ACUTE Virus Removal Guide (+Decode .acute files) – Phobos Ransomware

ACUTE Virus – Details

The ACUTE stands for a ransomware-type infection. The infection comes from the Phobos ransomware family. ACUTE was elaborated particularly to encrypt all major file types. As soon as the file is encrypted people are not able to use them. ACUTE adds the “.acute” extension for each file encrypted by it. For example, the file “myphoto.jpg“, once encrypted by ACUTE, will be renamed into “myphoto.jpg.acute“. As soon as the encryption is finished, ACUTE places a special text file into every folder containing the encrypted data.

The message given by ACUTE text file requesting the ransom is absolutely the same as the statements given by other ransomware representatives belonging to the Phobos family. It actually discusses that the information is encrypted and that the only way to bring back it is to use a an unique decryption key. Regretfully, this is absolutely true. The kind of cryptography mechanism used by ACUTE is still not appropriately examined. Still, it is definitely specific that each victim might be given the specific decryption key, which is totally distinct. It is difficult to bring back the files without the key available.

Another trick of ACUTE is that the victims cannot gain access to the key. The key is stored on a particular server run by the frauds associated with ACUTE ransomware. To get the key and recover the important info people need to pay the ransom.

However, irrespective of the requested quantity, people should keep away from paying the virus. Cyber frauds are unfair, so they tend to completely ignore what their victims feel about the problem, even when the payment reaches their pockets. This is why paying the ransom generally does not give any positive result and people just waste their money for nothing.

We strongly recommend that you do not contact these crooks and absolutely do not transfer money into their accounts. It is said to admit that there are no utilities able to crack ACUTE ransomware and to recover the information data for free. Thus, the only right decision is to recover the lost data from the available backup.

Virus Summary

Name	ACUTE Ransomware
File Extension	.acute
Type	Ransomware
Family	Phobos
Short Description	The ransomware encrypts all the data stored on your system and requires a ransom to be paid on your part supposedly to recover your important files.
Symptoms	File encryption by the ransomware is performed by means of the AES and RSA encryption algorithms. Once the encryption is completed, the ransomware adds its special acute extension to all the files modified by it.
Distribution Method	Spam Emails, Email Attachments
Similar Infections	Wallet, Actor, Adage
Removal Tool	GridinSoft Anti-Malware

Keep in mind that the internet is now overwhelmed with threats that look similar to ACUTE ransomware. It is similar Wallet and many other ransomware-type threats. Harmful programs of such kind are normally elaborated to encrypt essential data and to set forth the demand before the user to pay the ransom. The peculiarity of all such ransomware threats is that all apply a similar algorithm to create the distinct decryption key for data decryption.

Therefore, as long as the ransomware is still being developed or has some hidden bugs, by hand recovering the information is merely not feasible. The only method to avoid the loss of your important files is to frequently create backups of your important information.

Keep in mind that even if you create such backups, they must be placed into a special storage utility not connect to your main PC. You may use the Memory Stick or external disk drive for this purpose, or refer to the help of the cloud storage. If you save your backup files on your common system they may be encrypted along with other files, so it’s absolutely not a good storage place.

How did ransomware infect my PC?

There are numerous ways used by online frauds to distribute ACUTE virus. Although it is uncertain how exactly ACUTE injects your computer, there are some leaks through which it may infiltrate the system:

• integration with third-party software application, especially freeware;
• spam emails from unidentified senders;
• sites rendering free hosting services;
• pirated peer-to-peer (P2P) downloads.

Frequently ACUTE virus may be presented as some genuine software application, for example, in the pop-ups instructing users to execute some important software application updates. This is the common technique used by online scams to persuade people into downloading and installing ACUTE infection manually, by ways of their direct participation in the installation process.

Furthermore, the criminals may describe different e-mail spam techniques to inject destructive codes into copmuter. So, they may refer to to sending unsolicited spam emails with tricky notices promoting users to download the attachments or click on certain download links, for example, the ones encouraging users to open some photos, files, tax reports or invoices.

Needless to mention, opening such documents or clicking on such dangerous links may badly harm the system. Fictitious Adobe Flash Player upgrade alerts may result in ACUTE ransom injection. When it comes to the cracked software, these illegally downloaded programs may also contain harmful codes causing ACUTE secret installation. Finally, injection of ACUTE may take place by ways of Trojans that secretly get injected into the system and install malicious utilities without the user’s approval.

Is there any method to avoid the injection of ACUTE ransomware?

Even though there is no 100% guarantee to avoid your PC from getting infected, there are some pieces of recommendations we want to share with with you. To start with, be extremely cautious when you browse the web and specifically while downloading totally free apps. Keep away from opening suspicious email attachments, especially when the sender of the email is not familiar to you.

Remember that some freeware installers may contain other unwanted utilities in the bundle, so they may be destructive. Make certain that your current anti-virus and your entire OS is always appropriately updated.

Of course, downloading pirated software is prohibited and may lead to necessary damage to be made for your system. For this reason, stay away from downloading cracked software. You are also highly encouraged to reconsider your existing security software and possibly switch to another security solution that can render much better services of protecting your system.

Below please find the quotation from the ACUTE text file:

!!! All of your files are encrypted !!! 
To decrypt them send e-mail to this address: lockhelp@qq.com. 
If there is no response from our mail, you can install the Jabber client and write to us in support of lockhelp@xmpp.jp

Screenshot of files with “.acute” extension added by the ransomware:

Use GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove ACUTE ransomware from your computer

1.Download GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

You can download GridinSoft Anti-Malware by clicking the button below:

  GridinSoft Anti-Malware

2. Double-click on the setup file.

When setup file has finished downloading, double-click on the setup-antimalware-ag.exe file to install GridinSoft Anti-Malware on your computer.

An User Account Control asking you about to allow GridinSoft Anti-Malware to make changes to your device. So, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.

3. Press Install button for run GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

3.Once installed, GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically run.

4. Wait for the GridinSoft Anti-Malware scan to complete.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically start scanning your computer for Win Speedup 2018 and other malicious programs. This process can take a 20-30 minutes, so we suggest you periodically check on the status of the scan process.

5. Click on “Clean Now”.

When the scan has completed, you will see the list of infections that GridinSoft Anti-Malware has detected. To remove them click on the “Clean Now” button in right corner.