STEEL – Ransomware
The STEEL mean a ransomware-type infection. STEEL was elaborated specifically to encrypt all major file types. As soon as the encryption is finished, STEEL places a special text file into every folder containing the encrypted data.The message given by STEEL text file requesting the ransom is definitely the same as the statements given by other ransomware representatives. It actually points out that the information is encrypted and that the only way to restore it is to use a a special decryption key. Unfortunately, this is absolutely true. The kind of cryptography mechanism used by STEEL is still not appropriately examined. Still, it is absolutely certain that each victim may be given the specific decryption key, which is completely unique. It is difficult to bring back the files without the key available.
Another trick of STEEL is that the victims cannot get to the key. The key is kept on a specific server run by the frauds associated with STEEL ransomware. To get the key and recover the important info people have to pay the ransom.
STEEL 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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Nonetheless, irrespective of the requested quantity, people need to stay away from paying the virus. Cyber frauds are not fair, so they tend to totally disregard what their victims feel about the issue, even when the payment reaches their pockets. This is why paying the ransom generally does not provide any positive result and people simply lose their money for nothing.
We strongly encourage 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 STEEL ransomware and to recover the information data for free. Hence, the only right decision is to recover the lost data from the available backup.
Virus Summary
| Name | STEEL Ransomware |
| 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. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Removal Tool | GridinSoft Anti-Malware |
Keep in mind that the web is now overwhelmed with threats that look similar to STEEL ransomware. Harmful programs of such kind are generally elaborated to encrypt important 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 comparable algorithm to produce the unique 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 simply not feasible. The only method to avoid the loss of your essential data is to routinely create backups of your important information.
Remember 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 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 certainly not a good storage location.
How did ransomware infect my system?
There are numerous ways used by online frauds to distribute STEEL virus. Despite the fact that it is uncertain how precisely STEEL injects your PC, there are some leaks through which it may penetrate the system:
- integration with third-party apps, especially freeware;
- spam emails from unknown senders;
- websites rendering free hosting services;
- pirated peer-to-peer (P2P) downloads.
Frequently STEEL ransomware might exist as some genuine software, for instance, in the pop-ups advising users to execute some important software application updates. This is the typical technique used by online scams to persuade people into downloading and installing STEEL infection manually, by methods of their direct participation in the installation process.
Additionally, the criminals might describe numerous email spam methods to inject destructive codes into systems. 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 motivating users to open some receipts, files, 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 upgrade informs may result in STEEL ransom injection. When it comes to the cracked applications, these illegally downloaded programs may likewise consist of harmful codes causing STEEL secret installation. Finally, injection of STEEL may take place by methods of Trojans that secretly get injected into the system and set up destructive utilities without the user’s consent.
Is there any method to avoid the injection of STEEL ransomware?
Although there is no 100% guarantee to avoid your system from getting infected, there are some pieces of suggestions we wish to show with you. First of all, be really mindful when you surf the web and particularly while downloading complimentary 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 bundle, so they may be harmful. Make certain that your current antivirus software and your entire OS is always duly updated.
Naturally, downloading pirated software is prohibited and may result in necessary damage to be made for your system. For this reason, stay away from downloading cracked software. You are also strongly recommended to reconsider your existing security software and possibly switch to another security solution that can render better services of protecting your computer.
Below please find the quotation from the STEEL text file:
**************ATTENTION!************** All your important files have been encrypted by STEEL Ransomware! For encryption we use reliable algorithms! You can read more here: hxxps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSA_(cryptosystem) hxxps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Encryption_Standard Many of your documents, photos, videos, images and other files are no longer accessible because they have been encrypted. It means that your files are not damaged, but modified. The reverse process is called decryption. We use strong algorithms so it impossible to crack key. You can easily restore all your files. We guarantee that all your files will be successfully decrypted after paying. We can decrypt 2 files for free (size <2mb) as proof that we can decrypt your files. Warning! After 7 days price will be doubled! How to decrypt files ? 1) Contact us via email x_coded@protonmail.com 2) Pay $350 on our monero wallet (we will send you wallet address) 3) Send your personal key to our email (It\'s located at the end of this document) 4) Get decryption key and program 5) Decrypt all your files
Use GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove STEEL 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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