CORE Virus – Details
The CORE stands for a ransomware-type infection. The infection comes from the Matrix ransomware family. CORE was elaborated particularly to encrypt all major file types. As soon as the file is encrypted people are not able to use them. CORE adds the “.CORE” extension for each file encrypted by it. For example, the file “myphoto.jpg“, once encrypted by CORE, will be renamed into “myphoto.jpg.CORE“. As soon as the encryption is completed, CORE places a special text file into every folder containing the encrypted data.The message given by CORE text file asking for the ransom is absolutely the same as the statements given by other ransomware representatives belonging to the Matrix clan. It literally points out that the info is encrypted and that the only way to restore it is to use a an unique decryption key. Regretfully, this is definitely true. The sort of cryptography mechanism used by CORE is still not appropriately examined. Still, it is definitely certain that each victim may be given the specific decryption key, which is totally distinct. It is impossible to restore the files without the key available.
Another technique of CORE is that the victims cannot get to the key. The key is saved on a particular server run by the frauds related to CORE ransomware. To get the key and recover the important information people have to pay the ransom.
CORE encrypted your documents, but that might not be the only damage done to you. The ransomware might still be hidingon your computer. To identify whether this holds true, we suggest downloading GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
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However, irrespective of the asked for amount, people need to keep away from paying the ransom virus. Cyber frauds are not fair, so they tend to completely disregard what their victims feel about the issue, even when the payment reaches their pockets. This is why paying the ransom typically does not give any positive result and people simply waste their money for nothing.
We strongly advise that you do not contact these crooks and definitely do not transfer money into their accounts. It is said to admit that there are no utilities able to crack CORE ransomware and to recover the information data totally free. Therefore, the just best decision is to recover the lost information from the available backup.
Virus Summary
| Name | CORE Ransomware |
| File Extension | .CORE |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Family | Matrix |
| 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 CORE extension to all the files modified by it. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Similar Infections | Aan, Ab89, Aw46 |
| Removal Tool | GridinSoft Anti-Malware |
Bear in mind that the web is now overwhelmed with threats that look similar to CORE ransomware. It is similar Aan and many other ransomware-type threats. Malicious programs of such kind are usually elaborated to encrypt important information and to state the need before the user to pay the ransom. The peculiarity of all such ransomware threats is that all apply a comparable algorithm to create the distinct decryption key for information decryption.
Hence, as long as the ransomware is still being developed or has some hidden bugs, by hand recovering the information is just not feasible. The only method to prevent the loss of your crucial data is to routinely create backups of your important information.
Keep in mind that even if you create such backups, they must be put into a special storage utility not connect to your main PC. You may use the USB Memory Stick or external hard disk for this purpose, or refer to the help of the cloud storage. If you keep your backup files on your common system they may be encrypted in addition to other files, so it’s absolutely not a good storage location.
How did ransomware infect my PC?
There are numerous ways used by online frauds to distribute CORE virus. Although it is uncertain how exactly CORE injects your computer, there are some leaks through which it may penetrate the system:
- integration with third-party software application, especially freeware;
- spam e-mails from unidentified senders;
- websites rendering free hosting services;
- pirated peer-to-peer (P2P) downloads.
Typically CORE virus might be presented as some legitimate software, for instance, in the pop-ups instructing users to execute some crucial software application updates. This is the common trick used by online frauds to persuade people into downloading and installing CORE infection manually, by ways of their direct participation in the installation process.
Furthermore, the criminals may refer to different email spam strategies to inject destructive codes into PC. So, they may describe to sending unsolicited spam emails with tricky notifications promoting users to download the attachments or click on certain download links, for example, the ones motivating users to open some receipts, documents, tax reports or invoices.
Needless to mention, opening such documents or clicking on such dangerous links may significantly harm the PC. Fictitious Adobe Flash Player upgrade informs may result in CORE virus injection. As for the cracked applications, these illegally downloaded programs may also contain harmful codes leading to CORE secret installation. Lastly, injection of CORE may take place by methods of Trojans that privately get injected into the system and set up destructive tools without the user’s permission.
Is there any way to avoid the injection of CORE ransomware?
Despite the fact that there is no 100% guarantee to prevent your computer from getting infected, there are some pieces of suggestions we wish to show with you. First of all, be really mindful when you surf the web and especially while downloading complimentary 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 harmful. Make sure that your current antivirus software and your entire OS is always duly updated.
Obviously, downloading pirated software is prohibited and may result in necessary damage to be made for your system. Thus, stay away from downloading cracked software. You are also strongly advised to reconsider your existing security software and possibly change to another security solution that can render much better services of protecting your Windows.
Below please find the quotation from the CORE text file:
HOW TO RECOVER YOUR FILES INSTRUCTION ATENTION!!! We are realy sorry to inform you that ALL YOUR FILES WERE ENCRYPTED by our automatic software. It became possible because of bad server security. ATENTION!!! Please don\'t worry, we can help you to RESTORE your server to original state and decrypt all your files quickly and safely! INFORMATION!!! Files are not broken!!! Files were encrypted with AES-128+RSA-2048 crypto algorithms. There is no way to decrypt your files without unique decryption key and special software. Your unique decryption key is securely stored on our server. For our safety, all information about your server and your decryption key will be automaticaly DELETED AFTER 7 DAYS! You will irrevocably lose all your data! * Please note that all the attempts to recover your files by yourself or using third party tools will result only in irrevocable loss of your data! * Please note that you can recover files only with your unique decryption key, which stored on our side. If you will use the help of third parties, you will only add a middleman. HOW TO RECOVER FILES??? Please write us to the e-mail (write on English or use professional translator): BatHelp@protonmail.com BatHelp@tutanota.com BatHelp@india.com You have to send your message on each of our 3 emails due to the fact that the message may not reach their intended recipient for a variety of reasons! In subject line write your personal ID: 2BCCF1909D24D7CC We recommed you to attach 3 encrypted files to your message. We will demonstrate that we can recover your files. * Please note that files must not contain any valuable information and their total size must be less than 5Mb. OUR ADVICE!!! Please be sure that we will find common languge. We will restore all the data and give you recommedations how to configure the protection of your server. We will definitely reach an agreement ;) !!! ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION If yоu did nоt rеcеivе thе аnswеr frоm thе аfоrеcitеd еmаils fоr mоrе then 24 hours please sеnd us Bitmеssаgеs frоm а wеb brоwsеr thrоugh thе wеbpаgе hxxps://bitmsg.me. Bеlоw is а tutоriаl оn hоw tо sеnd bitmеssаgе viа wеb brоwsеr: 1. Оpеn in yоur brоwsеr thе link hxxps://bitmsg.me/users/sign_up аnd mаkе thе rеgistrаtiоn bу еntеring nаmе еmаil аnd pаsswоrd. 2. Уоu must cоnfirm thе rеgistrаtiоn, rеturn tо уоur еmаil аnd fоllоw thе instructiоns thаt wеrе sеnt tо уоu. 3. Rеturn tо sitе аnd сlick \"Lоgin\" lаbеl оr usе link hxxps://bitmsg.me/users/sign_in, еntеr уоur еmаil аnd pаsswоrd аnd click thе \"Sign in\" buttоn. 4. Сlick thе \"Сrеаtе Rаndоm аddrеss\" buttоn. 5. Сlick thе \"Nеw mаssаgе\" buttоn. 6. Sеnding mеssаgе: Tо: Еntеr аddrеss: BM-2cXRWRW5Jv5hxbhgu2HJSJrtPf92iKshhm Subjесt: Еntеr уоur ID: - Mеssаgе: Dеscribе whаt уоu think nеcеssаrу. Сlick thе \"Sеnd mеssаgе\" buttоn. NEX92JhO
Screenshot of files with “.CORE” extension added by the ransomware:
Use GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove CORE ransomware from your computer
1.Download GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
You can download GridinSoft Anti-Malware by clicking the button below:
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.
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