ACTON - Ransomware ACTON stands for a ransomware-type infection. The virus comes from the Phobos…
The message given by Horse text file requesting the ransom is definitely the like the statements given by other ransomware virus representatives coming from the Phobos family. It actually discusses that the information is encrypted and that the only way to restore it is to use a a distinct decryption key. Sadly, this is absolutely true. The kind of cryptography mechanism used by Horse is still not correctly examined. Still, it is definitely certain that each victim may be given the specific decryption key, which is totally unique. It is impossible to bring back the files without the key available.
Another trick of Horse is that the victims cannot gain access to the key. The key is saved on a specific server run by the frauds connected with Horse ransomware. To get the key and recover the important information people need to pay the ransom.
Horse 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.
Download GridinSoft Anti-Malware
GridinSoft Anti-Malware Review, How to get free trial?, EULA, and Privacy Policy.
Nonetheless, irrespective of the requested quantity, people should stay away from paying the ransom. Cyber frauds are not fair, so they tend to totally disregard what their victims feel about the problem, even when the payment reaches their pockets. This is why paying the ransom generally does not provide any positive outcome and people just waste their money for nothing.
We strongly encourage 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 Horse ransomware and to recover the data data free of charge. Hence, the just right decision is to recover the lost data from the available backup.
| Name | Horse Ransomware |
| File Extension | .[ICQ@cavallograndecapo].horse |
| 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 [ICQ@cavallograndecapo].horse extension to all the files modified by it. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Similar Infections | Aim, Raga, Eking |
| Removal Tool | GridinSoft Anti-Malware |
Keep in mind that the internet is now overwhelmed with threats that look comparable to Horse ransomware. It is similar Aim and many other ransomware-type threats. Malicious programs of such kind are typically elaborated to encrypt essential data and to state the demand prior to the user to pay the ransom. The peculiarity of all such ransomware threats is that all apply a comparable algorithm to produce the distinct 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 essential files is to regularly create backups of your important information.
Remember that even if you create such backups, they must be put into a special storage utility not connect to your main computer. You may use the USB Flash Drive or external disk drive for this purpose, or refer to the help of the cloud storage. If you store your backup files on your common system they may be encrypted along with other files, so it’s definitely not a good storage location.
There are a number of methods used by online frauds to distribute Horse ransomware. Despite the fact that it is uncertain how precisely Horse injects your PC, there are some leaks through which it may infiltrate the system:
Typically Horse ransomware might exist as some genuine software, for example, in the pop-ups advising users to implement some essential software updates. This is the typical trick used by online frauds to persuade people into downloading and installing Horse infection manually, by methods of their direct participation in the installation process.
In addition, the criminals might refer to various email spam methods to inject harmful codes into Windows PC. So, they may refer to to sending unsolicited spam e-mails with tricky notifications promoting users to download the attachments or click on certain download links, for example, the ones motivating users to open some video, files, tax reports or invoices.
Needless to mention, opening such files or clicking on such dangerous links may badly damage the PC. Fictitious Adobe Flash Player update alerts may result in Horse ransom injection. As for the cracked applications, these illegally downloaded programs may also contain destructive codes leading to Horse secret installation. Lastly, injection of Horse may take place by means of Trojans that secretly get injected into the system and set up malicious utilities without the user’s approval.
Although there is no 100% guarantee to prevent your computer from getting infected, there are some pieces of recommendations we want to share with with you. First of all, be very careful when you surf the web and particularly while downloading free apps. Stay 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 contain other unwanted utilities in the bundle, so they may be harmful. Make sure that your current antivirus and your entire operating system is always appropriately updated.
Naturally, downloading pirated software is illegal and may lead to necessary damage to be made for your system. Hence, 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 far better services of protecting your system.
info.hta: All your files have been encrypted! All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, install ICQ software on your PC or mobile phone here hxxps://icq.com/windows/ Write to our ICQ @cavallograndecapo hxxps://icq.im/cavallograndecapo Write this ID in the title of your message - You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the tool that will decrypt all your files. Free decryption as guarantee Before paying you can send us up to 5 files for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 4Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.) How to obtain Bitcoins The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click \'Buy bitcoins\', and select the seller by payment method and price. hxxps://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here: hxxp://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/ Attention! Do not rename encrypted files. Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss. Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam. ========================================================= info.txt: All your files have been ENCRYPTED!!! Install ICQ software on your PC or mobile phone here hxxps://icq.com/windows/ Write to our ICQ @cavallograndecapo hxxps://icq.im/cavallograndecapo Attention! Do not rename encrypted files. Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
Screenshot of files with “.[ICQ@cavallograndecapo].horse” extension added by the ransomware:
You can download GridinSoft Anti-Malware by clicking the button below:
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.
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.
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.
Pbmsoultions.com is a domain that tries to trick you into clik to its browser notifications…
Prizestash.com is a site that tries to trick you into subscribing to its browser notifications…
Verifiedbreaking.com is a domain that tries to force you into subscribing to its browser notifications…
Themoneyminutes.com is a domain that tries to force you into subscribing to its browser notifications…
News-xcidizi.com is a domain that tries to trick you into clik to its browser notifications…
Everytraffic-flow.com is a domain that tries to trick you into subscribing to its browser notifications…
View Comments
Hi, you may add to distribution ways other methods...
We got this on industrial PC's that never had opened an email client...
I just start digging but in our case looks more like takeover control of admin account using brute force to scan over firewall