RansomwareRemoval Guide

Remove Karma Virus (.KARMA Files Ransomware) – Filecoder Ransomware

Karma – Ransomware

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

The message given by Karma text file requesting for the ransom is absolutely the like the statements given by other ransomware virus representatives coming from the Filecoder type. It literally mentions that the info is encrypted and that the only way to restore it is to use a a distinct decryption key. Unfortunately, this is absolutely true. The type of cryptography mechanism used by Karma is still not properly examined. Still, it is definitely particular that each victim may be given the specific decryption key, which is absolutely unique. It is impossible to bring back the files without the key available.

Another technique of Karma is that the victims cannot access to the key. The key is stored on a specific server run by the frauds associated with Karma ransomware. To get the key and recover the important info people have to pay the ransom.

Nevertheless, irrespective of the requested amount, people must stay away from paying the ransom virus. Cyber frauds are unfair, so they tend to completely disregard what their victims feel about the problem, even when the payment reaches their pockets. This is why paying the ransom typically does not provide any positive outcome and people simply waste their money for absolutely nothing.

We strongly recommend 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 Karma ransomware and to recover the data data for free. Hence, the just best decision is to recover the lost data from the available backup.

Virus Summary

NameKarma Ransomware
File Extension.KARMA
TypeRansomware
FamilyFilecoder
Short DescriptionThe 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.
SymptomsFile 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 KARMA extension to all the files modified by it.
Distribution MethodSpam Emails, Email Attachments
Removal Tool   GridinSoft Anti-Malware

Bear in mind that the world wide web is now overwhelmed with threats that look similar to Karma ransomware. Harmful programs of such kind are normally elaborated to encrypt crucial 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 files 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 way to prevent the loss of your important information is to frequently create backups of your important information.

Bear in mind that even if you create such backups, they should be put into a special storage utility not connect to your main computer. You may use the USB 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 in addition to other files, so it’s definitely not a good storage location.

How did ransomware infect my system?

There are several ways used by online scams to distribute Karma virus. Despite the fact that it is uncertain how exactly Karma injects your PC, there are some leaks through which it may infiltrate the system:

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

Often Karma ransomware might be presented as some genuine software application, for instance, in the pop-ups instructing users to carry out some essential software application updates. This is the typical trick used by online scams to persuade people into downloading and installing Karma infection manually, by means of their direct participation in the installation process.

Furthermore, the criminals may refer to numerous e-mail spam tactics to inject malicious codes into systems. So, they may describe to sending unsolicited spam e-mails with tricky notices promoting users to download the attachments or click on certain download links, for example, the ones motivating users to open some photos, documents, tax reports or invoices.

Needless to mention, opening such documents or clicking on such dangerous links may severely damage the system. Fictitious Adobe Flash Player upgrade alerts may result in Karma ransom injection. When it comes to the cracked software, these illegally downloaded programs may also include destructive codes leading to Karma secret installation. Finally, injection of Karma may occur by methods of Trojans that covertly get injected into the system and install malicious tools without the user’s authorization.

Is there any method to prevent the injection of Karma ransomware?

Even though there is no 100% guarantee to avoid your PC from getting infected, there are some pieces of suggestions we want to share with with you. First off, be very careful when you surf the web and particularly while downloading totally free programs. Stay away from opening suspicious email attachments, especially when the sender of the email is not familiar to you.

Remember that some freeware installers may include other unwanted utilities in the package, so they may be malicious. Make sure that your current antivirus and your entire OS is always appropriately updated.

Obviously, downloading pirated software is unlawful and may lead to essential damage to be made for your system. For this reason, stay away from downloading cracked software. You are also highly advised to reconsider your existing security software and possibly switch to another security solution that can render better services of defending your computer.

Below please find the quotation from the Karma text file:

Your network has been breached by Karma ransomware group.
We have extracted valuable or sensitive data from your network and encrypted the data on your systems.
Decryption is only possible with a private key that only we posses.
Our group\'s only aim is to financially benefit from our brief acquaintance,this is a guarantee that we will do what we promise.
Scamming is just bad for business in this line of work.
Contact us to negotiate the terms of reversing the damage we have done and deleting the data we have downloaded.
We advise you not to use any data recovery tools without leaving copies of the initial encrypted file.
You are risking irreversibly damaging the file by doing this.
If we are not contacted or if we do not reach an agreement we will leak your data to journalists and publish it on our website.
hxxp://3nvzqyo6l4wkrzumzu5aod7zbosq4ipgf7ifgj3hsvbcr5vcasordvqd.onion/
If a ransom is payed we will provide the decryption key and proof that we deleted you data.
When you contact us we will provide you proof that we can decrypt your files and that we have downloaded your data.
How to contact us:
JamesHoopkins1988@onionmail.org
Leslydown1988@tutanota.com
ollivergreen1977@protonmail.com

Screenshot of files with “.KARMA” extension added by the ransomware:
Karma Ransomware - encrypt files with .KARMA extension

Use GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove Karma 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.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware
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 Setup

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

GridinSoft Anti-Malware Install

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

GridinSoft Anti-Malware  Start

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.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware Scan

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.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware Scan Result

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Daniel Zimmermann

Daniel Zimmermann has been writing on security and malware subjects for many years and has been working in the security industry for over 10 years. Daniel was educated at the Saarland University in Saarbrücken, Germany and currently lives in New York.

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