PEEKABOO Virus Removal Guide (+Decode .peekaboo files)

PEEKABOO – General Info

The PEEKABOO mean a ransomware-type infection. PEEKABOO was elaborated specifically to encrypt all major file types. Once the file is encrypted people are unable to use them. PEEKABOO adds the “.peekaboo” extension for each file encrypted by it. For example, the file “myphoto.jpg“, as soon as encrypted by PEEKABOO, will be renamed into “myphoto.jpg.peekaboo“. As soon as the encryption is completed, PEEKABOO places a special text file into every folder containing the encrypted data.

The message given by PEEKABOO text file requesting for the ransom is definitely the like the statements given by other ransomware virus representatives. It actually discusses 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 kind of cryptography mechanism applied by PEEKABOO is still not properly examined. Still, it is absolutely particular that each victim may be given the specific decryption key, which is totally distinct. It is impossible to bring back the files without the key available.

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

Nonetheless, regardless of the requested amount, people should stay away from paying the ransom. Cyber frauds are not fair, so they tend to totally ignore what their victims feel about the issue, even when the payment reaches their pockets. This is why paying the ransom usually does not provide any positive result and people simply waste their money for absolutely nothing.

We strongly 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 PEEKABOO ransomware and to recover the data data free of charge. Hence, the just right decision is to recover the lost information from the available backup.

Virus Summary

Name	PEEKABOO Ransomware
File Extension	.peekaboo
Type	Ransomware
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 peekaboo extension to all the files modified by it.
Distribution Method	Spam Emails, Email Attachments
Removal Tool	GridinSoft Anti-Malware

Remember that the web is now overwhelmed with threats that look comparable to PEEKABOO ransomware. Malicious programs of such kind are usually elaborated to encrypt essential information 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 generate the distinct decryption key for information decryption.

Hence, as long as the ransomware is still being developed or has some hidden bugs, manually recovering the information is merely not feasible. The only way to prevent the loss of your crucial 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 Flash Drive or external hard 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 together with other files, so it’s certainly not a good storage location.

How did ransomware infect my system?

There are several methods used by online scams to distribute PEEKABOO ransom virus. Even though it is uncertain how exactly PEEKABOO injects your computer, there are some leaks through which it may infiltrate the system:

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

Typically PEEKABOO virus may exist as some legitimate software application, for example, in the pop-ups advising users to carry out some essential software updates. This is the typical trick used by online frauds to persuade people into downloading and installing PEEKABOO infection manually, by ways of their direct participation in the installation process.

In addition, the criminals may refer to numerous email spam methods to inject destructive codes into Windows PC. So, they may refer to to sending unsolicited spam emails 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, documents, tax reports or invoices.

Needless to mention, opening such files or clicking on such dangerous links may badly harm the system. Fictitious Adobe Flash Player update notifies may result in PEEKABOO ransom injection. As for the cracked applications, these illegally downloaded programs may also consist of malicious codes causing PEEKABOO secret installation. Finally, injection of PEEKABOO may happen by ways of Trojans that privately get injected into the system and install malicious utilities without the user’s permission.

Is there any method to prevent the injection of PEEKABOO ransom virus?

Although there is no 100% guarantee to prevent your PC from getting infected, there are some pieces of advice we want to share with with you. To start with, be very mindful when you surf the web and especially while downloading free programs. 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 consist of other unwanted utilities in the bundle, so they may be destructive. Make certain that your current anti-virus and your entire OS is always appropriately updated.

Of course, downloading pirated software is unlawful and may lead to important damage to be produced your system. For this reason, stay away from downloading cracked software. You are also strongly recommended to reconsider your existing security software and potentially switch to another security solution that can render far better services of defending your system.

Below please find the quotation from the PEEKABOO text file:

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$> PEEKABOO <$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 
SORRY! Your files are encrypted. 
File contents are encrypted with random key. 
Random key is encrypted with RSA public key (2048 bit). 
We STRONGLY RECOMMEND you NOT to use any "decryption tools". 
These tools can damage your data, making recover IMPOSSIBLE. 
Also we recommend you not to contact data recovery companies. 
They will just contact us, buy the key and sell it to you at a higher price. 
If you want to decrypt your files, you have to get RSA private key. 
-- 
In order to get private key, write here: perdrolan@cock.li 
=========== 
!ATTENTION!
Attach file is 000000000.key from %appdata% to email message, without it we will not be able to decrypt your files 
=========== 
And pay $300 on BTC-wallet: 1NkjBNF7fmpRsX4WjokUie21m8bv9xvRKs 
If someone else offers you files restoring, ask him for test decryption. 
Only we can successfully decrypt your files; knowing this can protect you from fraud. 
You will receive instructions of what to do next.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$> PEEKABOO <$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Screenshot of files with “.peekaboo” extension added by the ransomware:

Use GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove PEEKABOO 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.