Remove LOWPRICE Virus (.[ICQ_SAFEPLACE].LOWPRICE Files Ransomware) – Phobos Ransomware

LOWPRICE Virus – Details

The LOWPRICE stands for a ransomware-type infection. The virus comes from the Phobos ransomware family. LOWPRICE was elaborated specifically to encrypt all major file types. As soon as the file is encrypted people are unable to use them. LOWPRICE adds the “.[ICQ_SAFEPLACE].LOWPRICE” extension for each file encrypted by it. For example, the file “myphoto.jpg“, as soon as encrypted by LOWPRICE, will be renamed into “myphoto.jpg.[ICQ_SAFEPLACE].LOWPRICE“. As soon as the encryption is completed, LOWPRICE places a special text file into every folder containing the encrypted data.

The message given by LOWPRICE text file requesting the ransom is absolutely the same as the statements given by other ransomware representatives coming from the Phobos family. It literally mentions that the info is encrypted and that the only way to bring back it is to use a a special decryption key. Regretfully, this is definitely true. The kind of cryptography mechanism used by LOWPRICE is still not properly examined. Still, it is definitely specific that each victim may be given the specific decryption key, which is totally distinct. It is difficult to restore the files without the key available.

Another trick of LOWPRICE is that the victims cannot access to the key. The key is saved on a specific server run by the frauds related to LOWPRICE ransomware. To get the key and recover the important info people have to pay the ransom.

However, regardless of the requested amount, people should keep away from paying the ransom 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 typically does not give any positive outcome and people simply waste their money for absolutely nothing.

We highly advise 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 LOWPRICE ransomware and to recover the data data for free. Therefore, the just right decision is to recover the lost data from the available backup.

Virus Summary

Name	LOWPRICE Ransomware
File Extension	.[ICQ_SAFEPLACE].LOWPRICE
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_SAFEPLACE].LOWPRICE extension to all the files modified by it.
Distribution Method	Spam Emails, Email Attachments
Removal Tool	GridinSoft Anti-Malware

Keep in mind that the web is now overwhelmed with threats that look comparable to LOWPRICE ransomware. Harmful programs of such kind are normally elaborated to encrypt crucial information and to set forth the need prior to the user to pay the ransom. The peculiarity of all such ransomware threats is that all apply a similar algorithm to generate the unique 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 simply not feasible. The only way to avoid the loss of your crucial data 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 computer. You may use the USB Flash Drive or external hard 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 absolutely not a good storage place.

How did ransomware infect my system?

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

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

Frequently LOWPRICE ransomware might be presented as some legitimate software, for instance, in the pop-ups advising users to carry out some essential software application updates. This is the common technique used by online frauds to persuade people into downloading and installing LOWPRICE infection manually, by ways of their direct participation in the installation process.

Additionally, the criminals might describe numerous email spam strategies to inject malicious codes into PC. So, they may describe 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 encouraging users to open some receipts, 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 LOWPRICE ransom injection. As for the cracked applications, these illegally downloaded programs may also include destructive codes leading to LOWPRICE secret installation. Finally, injection of LOWPRICE may occur by methods of Trojans that privately get injected into the system and install malicious tools without the user’s permission.

Is there any way to avoid the injection of LOWPRICE ransomware?

Despite the fact that there is no 100% guarantee to avoid your system from getting infected, there are some pieces of suggestions we want to show with you. First of all, be really cautious when you browse the web and specifically while downloading complimentary programs. 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.

Of course, downloading pirated software is prohibited and may result in vital damage to be produced your system. For this reason, stay away from downloading cracked software. You are likewise strongly advised to reconsider your existing security software and potentially change to another security solution that can render much better services of defending your computer.

Below please find the quotation from the LOWPRICE text file:

Hello,sir!Dont worry,your files are safe but you cant use it before our cooperating

Unfortunately for you, a major IT security weakness left you open to attack, your files have been encrypted
We can give you all decryption guarantees and important information to improve your IT skills
Price of decryption depends on how fast you will write us
If you want to restore your files write to our mail - virtualhorse1@protonmail.com
If we dont reply during 3 hours contact us via ICQ which works 24/7
Install ICQ software on your PC here xxps://icq.com/windows/ or on mobile phone from Appstore / Google Play Market search for \"ICQ\"
Write to our ICQ @SAFEPLACE hxxps://icq.im/SAFEPLACE/
Write your ID in the title of your message -

Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software - it may cause permanent data loss.
We are always ready to cooperate and find the best way to solve your problem.
The faster you write - the more favorable conditions will be for you.
Our company values its reputation. We give all guarantees of your files decryption.
IF WE DONT SEE MESSAGES FROM YOU IN 72 HOURS - WE WILL SELL YOUR DATABASES AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO YOUR COMPETITORS AND OTHER HACKERS IN DARKNET.
================================

Hello my dear friend
Unfortunately for you, a major IT security weakness left you open to attack, your files have been encrypted
If you want to restore them,write to our mail - virtualhorse1@protonmail.com
If you dont have reply during 3 hours write to our ICQ which work 24/7
Install ICQ software on your PC hxxps://icq.com/windows/ or on your mobile phone search in Appstore / Google market ICQ
Write to our ICQ @SAFEPLACE hxxtps://icq.im/SAFEPLACE
 Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
We are always ready to cooperate and find the best way to solve your problem.
The faster you write, the more favorable the conditions will be for you.
Our company values its reputation.  We give all guarantees of your files decryption
IF WE DONT SEE MESSAGES FROM YOU IN 72 HOURS - WE WILL SELL YOUR DATABASES AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO YOUR COMPETITORS,AFTER YOU WILL SEE IT AT OPEN SOURCE AND DARKNET
 We respect your time and waiting for respond from your side
 tell your unique ID

Screenshot of files with “.[ICQ_SAFEPLACE].LOWPRICE” extension added by the ransomware:

Use GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove LOWPRICE 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.