Spora ransomware decryption and removal

Learn the details of Spora ransomware, a new generation threat using efficient infection channels, advanced crypto and a diversified ransom payment service.

When it seemed that the sophistication of ransomware attacks had reached its peak, the ill-minded developers of the new Spora ransomware proved the opposite. This strain was discovered in early January 2017. Researchers who analyzed the obtained samples started emphasizing right away that they’re dealing with an infection crafted by high-profile threat actors, possibly the group that’s behind such extortion monsters as Locky and Cerber. It shortly become obvious that the Spora propagation campaign is well-orchestrated and the code of the perpetrating program itself is professional to the bone. This ransomware encrypts victims’ files in what’s called the autopilot mode. It denotes a mechanism where the pest completes the entire contamination and crypto chain without producing any in- or outbound traffic. Such a technique is a big obstacle for detection with conventional antimalware software.

The Spora ransom Trojan originally targeted users in Russia and a number of other East European states where the Russian operating system localization is common. By January 24, though, the distribution began expanding to other parts of the globe, including the Netherlands, Austria, and more. A plausible explanation of this is that the ransomware authors had conducted some testing and fine-tuning of their baddie before hitting the more traditional locations for online extortion campaigns.

The ransomware in question is deposited on Windows machines through spam waves and exploits. The latter vector engages the RIG-V exploit kit, a notorious malware deployment framework that harnesses software vulnerabilities to inject offending code behind the scenes. The spam-based entry point, in its turn, revolves around fake invoices for the most part. These automatically generated emails carry booby-trapped ZIP attachments with HTA files inside. What’s particularly disconcerting is that the attackers are using a double extension trick to make these malicious HTA objects look like harmless Microsoft Office documents or PDFs. This way, the probability of recipients opening these files grows by far. Further compromise workflow involves JavaScript code that lands into a computer’s Temp path and then fires a random-named executable.

As part of the intrusion, Spora opens a DOCX (Microsoft Word) file that displays an error dialog about file format and extension mismatch. This is a way to distract the victim from what’s happening in the background. Meanwhile, the ransomware scans the local drives and network shares for about 20 types of files, including ones with the .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .pdf, .rtf, .jpg, .jpeg, .rar, .zip, .psd, and .sqlite extension. Items stored in Program Files, Windows and Games folders are ignored – that’s probably because the malefactors need the system running stable. It’s worth mentioning that the infection targets a fairly scarce range of data formats at this point, at least compared to the majority of file-encrypting Trojans in the wild.

Having found the victim’s most important data entries, Spora ransomware leverages a complex fusion of AES and RSA cryptosystems to lock those files down. It does not modify filenames along the way. Then, it displays an HTML ransom note whose name matches a unique 25-character ID assigned to the plagued system. It’s this ID that should be entered in the Personal Area authorization box in the ransom note. Once this is done, the victim will end up on the decryption service titled Client Page (located at spora.bz/spora.biz). To proceed, they are required to synchronize their machine with the malicious system by uploading the .KEY file that was created by the Trojan during the compromise. This synchronization is a completely new thing on the ransomware arena. Its purpose is to allow the service to rate a particular computer in terms of the value of encrypted data. The size of the ransom is a derivative of this routine, so it’s not going to be identical for different victims. The cost of full recovery may range from $79 to about $300, depending on the volume of hostage data and its importance. By the way, the Client Page section called My Purchasings includes alternative, cheaper features such as immunity, removal, file restore, and test recovery of two files.

If confronted with the Spora ransomware, users should commence the troubleshooting from some of the best practices of crypto virus removal and data restoration. The ransom is the last resort rather than the only option – keep that in mind.

Spora ransomware automated removal and data recovery

When faced with ransomware like Spora, one of the best shortcuts in terms of removal is to use Combo Cleaner, a lightweight and incredibly effective application with PC security and optimization features under the hood. It detects and thoroughly deletes threats while giving you insights into the overall health of your computer.

This program’s protection power spans modules that forestall all known types of malware, including ransomware and browser hijackers, and take your online security to the next level by blocking phishing sites and other suspicious web pages. Follow these simple steps to eliminate the infection for good:

1. Download Combo Cleaner installer.

Download Spora remover

^{Combo Cleaner scans your PC with no strings attached, but you’ll have to buy its fully functional version to remove the threats it detects. The disk optimization tools that find large files and duplicates are free to use.}

2. Open the CCSetup.exe file to get started. Several subsequent screens will allow you to make initial customizations so that the program works exactly as you need from the get-go.

3. The installation will be followed by an update of malware signatures. Once this process is through, click the Start Scan button in the left-hand sidebar.

4. Combo Cleaner will then check system locations that are most often polluted by Windows malware. The first scan can take a while to finish.

5. Combo Cleaner will display a system tray notification as soon as the scan is over. Click the Resolve found threats button to view the results.

6. The scan summary shows the names and types of the detected threats as well as their statuses and locations. Click the Remove all threats button and follow further on-screen prompts to get rid of these items.

Data recovery toolkit to the rescue

Some strains of ransomware are known to delete the original files after the encryption routine has been completed. As hostile as this activity appears, it can play into your hands. There are applications designed to revive the information that was obliterated because of malfunctioning hardware or due to accidental removal. The tool called Stellar Data Recovery features this type of a capability and therefore it can be applied in ransom attack scenarios to at least get the most important files back. So use the app to get an idea of what data can be restored and let it do the recovery job. Here is a step-by-step walkthrough:

1. Download and install Stellar Data Recovery.

Download Stellar Data Recovery

2. Open the application, select the types of recoverable files to look for, and click Next.

3. Choose the areas you want the tool to recover from and click the Scan button.

4. Having scanned the specified locations, the program will display a notification about the total amount of recoverable data. Close the dialog and click the Recover button. This will hopefully help you get some of your valuable files back.

Spora ransomware manual removal and file recovery

Some ransomware strains terminate themselves after completing the encryption job on a computer, but some don’t. Furthermore, the Spora virus may prevent victims from using popular antimalware tools in order to stay on board for as long as possible. Under the circumstances, it may be necessary to utilize the Safe Mode with Networking or System Restore functionality.

Be advised that even after the ransomware is removed, files will still be encrypted and inaccessible. The malicious code cleanup part, however, is important because it keeps a relapse of the infection from occurring further on and eliminates all opportunistic malware.

Ways of non-ransom files recovery

Cracking the crypto used by this ransom Trojan is more of a science fiction thing rather than an attainable prospect for the masses. This is why the troubleshooting in predicaments of this sort is a matter of two approaches: one is to pay the ransom, which isn’t an option for many victims; and the other is to apply instruments that take advantage of the ransomware’s possible weaknesses. If the latter is your pick, the advice below is a must-try.

Ransomware Prevention Tips

To avoid Spora ransomware and other file-encrypting infections in the future, follow several simple recommendations:

These techniques are certainly not a cure-all, but they will add an extra layer of ransomware protection to your security setup.

Spora ransomware evolution

Spora, which is a transliterated Russian word for “spore”, denotes a new generation of crypto ransomware featuring high-profile propagation vectors combined with robust encryption practices. Judging by multiple sophisticated characteristics, this strain was cooked up by a professional online extortion group rather than newbies.

Once the malicious code injection has taken place, this hostile program deploys its complete attack chain without engaging network communication along the way. This capability allows it to fly under the radar of firewalls and security tools. Another adverse trait is its unique, well-orchestrated encryption routine involving several cipher layers.

The infection has gone through a number of distinct tweaks over time. The part below covers a retrospective background of the Spora ransomware as well as the current state of this rampant campaign.

Clever segmentation of victims’ data, top-notch synchronization with plagued computers, rock-solid encryption in autopilot mode, and responsive customer service – these are all hallmark signs of the Spora ransomware in its current state. What’s next? As its evolution is underway, further changes are imminent. Stay tuned to learn what else to be prepared for.

Revise your security status

Post-factum assessment of the accuracy component in malware removal scenarios is a great habit that prevents the comeback of harmful code or replication of its unattended fractions. Make sure you are good to go by running an additional safety checkup. Another benefit of using the antimalware tool is that it will keep ransomware threats from intruding on your computer further on.

Download Spora removal tool