How to decrypt no_more_ransom files (April 2017 – gayferber@gmail.com)

Get clear-cut instructions on removing the Shade, or Troldesh, ransomware and decrypting .no_more_ransom extension files that this trojan holds hostage.

The Shade ransomware, alias Troldesh, locks down a victim’s personal data with strong symmetric cryptosystem and requests money for decryption. Its current variant jumbles filenames beyond recognition and blemishes them with the ironical .no_more_ransom extension, while earlier editions used the .better_call_saul, .breaking_bad, .windows10, .xtbl and a few more suffixes for this purpose. Other conspicuous indicators of compromise include new desktop background that the infection configures as the default one, and ransom notes called README[random_digit].txt. The recovery steps in Russian and English presuppose that the infected user sends a message to an email address indicated in the above-mentioned manuals. The threat actors will get back to the victim with comprehensive decryption steps.

The .no_more_ransom virus is distributed in several different ways. The most common entry point is via spam. A recent campaign of this sort delivers malicious JavaScript or Microsoft Word documents to thousands of users. Attachments from the former category execute the Shade ransomware instantly once opened, whereas the latter ones display a prompt to enable Word macros, which are then used to deposit the infection onto target PCs. The themes of these malware-tainted messages are related to banking and accounting for the most part. Another vector of Troldesh propagation involves compromised websites that lead to exploit kits. In this case, the user may fail to take notice of something bad going on.

On infiltrating a computer through one of the above tactics, the .no_more_ransom infection furtively scans the local drive, removable drives and network locations for numerous types of files that are most likely to denote potentially important information. By being able to spread across linked networks, the trojan may significantly expand its attack surface and contaminate more machines. The data entries found during the cross-checking against a predefined list of formats gets encrypted. The algorithm leveraged for this purpose is AES-256. Although this cryptosystem uses one key for encryption and decryption, this secret piece of data has enough entropy to prevent successful brute forcing. Therefore, as long as the crypto is implemented correctly, it’s impossible to obtain the unique key without negotiating with the crooks.

The README.txt recovery walkthroughs instruct users to reach the attackers at:

• gayferber@gmail.com
• 2Lynness.Taftfera1990@gmail.com
• files08880@gmail.com
• Lukyan.Sazonov26@gmail.com
• Novikov.Vavila@gmail.com
• 7h9r341@gmail.com

or some other Gmail address mentioned in the how-to’s. In return, the malefactors will send details about the ransom amount and the Bitcoin address for this transaction. If the ransom is paid within 48 hours, the victim will supposedly get their decryption key. Do keep in mind, though, that there can be no certainty that the adversaries will stay true to their promise.

To make matters worse, the .no_more_ransom Shade variant poses an additional threat to victims’ privacy and system stability. It may also install information-stealing malware called Pony, a remote access trojan known as Teamspy, or the notorious Kovter trojan that exfiltrates sensitive data to a C2 server. Obviously, such a nasty combo of maladies should be eradicated from an infested computer. The sections below cover all the malware removal steps and applicable data recovery techniques.

.No_more_ransom ransomware automated removal and data recovery

When faced with ransomware like .No_more_ransom, 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 .No_more_ransom 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.

.No_more_ransom 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 .No_more_ransom 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 recovery of .no_more_ransom files locked by Shade

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 .No_more_ransom 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.

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 .No_more_ransom removal tool