Covid – General Info
The Covid mean a ransomware-type infection. The virus comes from the MedusaLocker ransomware family. Covid was elaborated specifically to encrypt all major file types. When the file is encrypted people are not able to use them. Covid adds the “.covid” extension for each file encrypted by it. For example, the file “myphoto.jpg“, once encrypted by Covid, will be renamed into “myphoto.jpg.covid“. As quickly as the encryption is completed, Covid places a special text file into every folder containing the encrypted data.The message given by Covid text file requesting the ransom is definitely the same as the statements given by other ransomware representatives coming from the MedusaLocker type. It actually discusses that the info is encrypted and that the only way to bring back it is to use a an unique decryption key. Unfortunately, this is absolutely true. The sort of cryptography mechanism used by Covid is still not appropriately examined. Still, it is definitely particular that each victim might be given the specific decryption key, which is totally unique. It is impossible to restore the files without the key available.
Another trick of Covid is that the victims cannot access to the key. The key is stored on a specific server run by the frauds related to Covid ransomware. To get the key and recover the important information people have to pay the ransom.
Covid 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 requested amount, people should keep away from paying the ransom. Cyber frauds are not fair, so they tend to entirely disregard what their victims feel about the issue, even when the payment reaches their pockets. This is why paying the ransom usually does not give any positive outcome and people just lose their money for nothing.
We highly 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 Covid ransomware and to recover the information data free of charge. Thus, the only best decision is to recover the lost data from the available backup.
Virus Summary
| Name | Covid Ransomware |
| File Extension | .covid |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Family | MedusaLocker |
| 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 covid extension to all the files modified by it. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Removal Tool | GridinSoft Anti-Malware |
Remember that the world wide web is now overwhelmed with threats that look similar to Covid ransomware. Destructive programs of such kind are normally elaborated to encrypt crucial data and to set forth the need before the user to pay the ransom. The peculiarity of all such ransomware threats is that all apply a comparable algorithm to produce the unique decryption key for data decryption.
Thus, as long as the ransomware is still being developed or has some hidden bugs, by hand recovering the information is simply 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 should be put into a special storage utility not connect to your main PC. You may use the USB Memory Stick or external hard drive 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 along with other files, so it’s absolutely not a good storage place.
How did ransomware infect my computer?
There are several methods used by online scams to distribute Covid ransom virus. Even though it is uncertain how exactly Covid injects your computer, there are some leaks through which it may penetrate the system:
- integration with third-party apps, especially freeware;
- spam e-mails from unidentified senders;
- sites rendering free hosting services;
- pirated peer-to-peer (P2P) downloads.
Typically Covid ransomware might exist as some legitimate software application, for instance, in the pop-ups instructing users to implement some essential software updates. This is the common technique used by online frauds to persuade people into downloading and installing Covid infection manually, by ways of their direct participation in the installation process.
Furthermore, the criminals may describe numerous email spam techniques to inject harmful codes into systems. So, they may describe 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 video, files, tax reports or invoices.
Needless to mention, opening such documents or clicking on such dangerous links may significantly damage the PC. Fictitious Adobe Flash Player update alerts may result in Covid virus injection. When it comes to the cracked applications, these illegally downloaded programs may likewise contain harmful codes resulting in Covid secret installation. Finally, injection of Covid may occur by means of Trojans that privately get injected into the system and set up destructive tools without the user’s approval.
Is there any method to avoid the injection of Covid ransomware?
Despite the fact that there is no 100% guarantee to avoid your computer from getting infected, there are some pieces of recommendations we want to share with with you. First off, be really mindful when you surf the web and specifically while downloading complimentary apps. Keep away from opening suspicious email attachments, especially when the sender of the email is not familiar to you.
Bear in mind that some freeware installers may include other unwanted utilities in the package, so they may be destructive. Make sure that your current anti-virus and your entire operating system is always appropriately updated.
Obviously, downloading pirated software is unlawful and may result in important damage to be produced your PC. For this reason, stay away from downloading cracked software. You are likewise strongly advised to reconsider your existing security software and perhaps switch to another security solution that can render far better services of protecting your PC.
Below please find the quotation from the Covid text file:
DONT WORRY! YOUR FILES ARE SAFE! ONLY MODIFIED :: ChaCha + AES WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND you NOT to use any Decryption Tools. These tools can damage your data, making recover IMPOSSIBLE. Also we recommend you not to contact data recovery companies. They will just contact us, buy the key and sell it to you at a higher price. If you want to decrypt your files, you have to get RSA private key. -- To get RSA private key you have to contact us via email to: undelivered@onet.pl and send us your id: - -- HOW to understand that we are NOT scammers? You can ask SUPPORT for the TEST-decryption for ONE file!
Screenshot of files with “.covid” extension added by the ransomware:
Use GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove Covid 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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