Decisivekey@tutanota.com AUF Ransomware - A Rising Cyber Threat
The Internet Society unsealed a new variant of Dharma Ransomware behind the unauthorized change in Windows registries, slow internet speed and performance of computers at offices and homes.
The cybersecurity investigators dubbed the variant as Decisivekey@tutanota.com AUF Ransomware, currently attacking computers for the cryptomining purpose.
The research from security experts shows the ransomware as a cause of data loss, file loss and data theft. If your documents and files are encrypted with [Decisivekey@tutanota.com].AUF extension, then your computer is probably under the ransomware attack.
The in-depth investigation from experts has revealed answers to many questions and conclude this threat as a very powerful malicious program possessing different features of major threats like malware, viruses, scareware, keyloggers and hijackers.
What is Decisivekey@tutanota.com AUF Ransomware?
It belongs to the family of Dharma ransomware, takes control after crawling in your system and encrypts many useful files. After invasion and encrypting files, this ransomware demands ransom (payment in bitcoins) to decrypt the data.
Like all other ransomware, it is also a file-encrypting malicious code that hijacks your computer to encrypt photographs, music records, business reports, pdfs, docs and all other data only after utilizing file lock and encryption techniques like AES/RSA.
These techniques are the part of its malicious code that modifies your system registry files in order to secretly allocate themselves into the infected machine for locking out the data and files.
Why Decisivekey@tutanota.com AUF Is Dangerous?
First thing, ransomware today are the most widely used malicious program to attack computers. The Dharma’s Decisivekey@tutanota.com AUF ransomware smartly automate and spread itself infiltrate a new system.
It quickly spreads through spam emails, websites, peer to peer file sharing, freeware (fake software updates), cracked or pirated software and social hijacking. It degrades the computer performance and compels you to pay money for your files within some time limit.
Once victimized, the ransomware attackers gain access to yo your system, web browsers settings and corrupt hard drive of the computer. Applications do not respond sometimes and adequately lack few important program files.
Direct contact with ransomware attackers on C2 servers let them spy on our computers, allowing to steal sensitive and financial information.
Cybercriminals via these threats steal information like IP address, URL’s Search, browser history, search queries, username, ID, passwords, banking information and ATM Card information.
Once Decisivekey@tutanota.com AUF ransomware is tricked into the system, it checks the PC for data files and encrypts them. Being the latest file-encrypting threat, security experts also suggest to remove Decisivekey@tutanota.com AUF ransomware.
Decisivekey@tutanota.com AUF Ransomware - Tricks and Encryption
The ransomware infects the files and adds file extensions like [Decisivekey@tutanota.com].AUF. Once the files are encrypted, a ransom note named FILES ENCRYPTED.txt creates whenever we try to open the locked file.
The encrypted files are stored with random notes at %AppData% or %LocalAppData% folder. Important documents and files like .doc, .docx, .xls, .pdf etc are no longer working and can’t open. The ransom note asks users on behalf of cyberattackers to fulfill payment demands in Bitcoins.
This threat targets all versions of Windows and for encrypting files, it uses RSA-2048 key (AES CBC 256-bit encryption algorithm), AES-265 and RSA encryption method. Furthermore, makes your system a host for cryptojacking and coin-mining.
Are Decisivekey@tutanota.com AUF Ransomware Decrypt Tools Worth Using?
No, at this time it is impossible to recover all the encrypted files as the algorithm of encryption is strong and runs on private keys of C2 servers. Therefore, it is quite notable that forging out any decryption key and tool is not realistic.
Moreover, to make any decryption tool it is important to reverse engineer the program code of ransomware’s encryption mechanism. Unfortunately, more time is required to break down the AES/RSA mechanism.
The absence of Decisivekey@tutanota.com AUF ransomware decryptor may become a big problem if future if the attacks from this ransomware go to a large extent.
As per security experts, presently it is impossible for researchers to reverse engineer the encryption process. If they succeed in doing that then protecting computers from this Dharma variant ransomware will become easy.
Paying ransom to the cyber attacker to get decryption tool is not a good option because the probability of getting cheated is more. Besides no attacker would like to offer you a solution to counterfeit the problem created by himself.
If you once pay them, doing so would encourage these bad guys in expanding their operations. We strongly, suggest you do not pay anything to the ransom and instead address the situation to internet law enforcement bodies of your respective countries.
Prevent Decisivekey@tutanota.com AUF Ransomware From Entering my PC
Temporarily Disable Decisivekey@tutanota.com AUF ransomware in safe mode using Command Prompt
If you can’t access your computer, then it might become impossible to remove Tfude ransomware. However, system reboot in Safe Mode could give you entry into your computer followed by creating a system restore point.
Once you are into your computer, perform a full system scan using the antimalware tool which we have suggested at the end of this article.
Steps to be followed to enter the safe mode Win XP/Vista/7
- Click start, then shut down, then restart.
- While the computer is booting up at the very first screen start tapping F8 until you see the advanced boot options.
- In the advanced boot option’s, you need to select safe mode with Command prompt from the list of given options.
Steps to be followed to enter safe mode in Win 8/10
- On the windows login screen, you need to press the power option.
- Now, press and hold the shift key on the keyboard, and then click Restart.
- Now, among the list of options you need to select Troubleshoot, and then advanced options, then startup settings and finally press restart.
- Once your computer restarts and gives you the list of startup options you need to select Enable Safe Mode with Command prompt.
Restore System
- Once you see the command prompt windows, type in cd restore and hit enter on the keyboard.
- Now, type rstrui.exe and hit Enter again.
- Then you would see new windows, click on next over there and select a restore point that is before the date of infection.
- Then, click next and followed by yes.
At present, your computer is in a state that has its file and data backed up at a safe restore point. We also suggest you to make a copy of your backed up data into some external hard drive.
It is now time, to reinstall your Windows via an external source such as USB drives, CD or DVD and portable HDD devices.
While installing Windows, allocate disk space to C, D and E drive. If asked to restore any files, select the restore point and get the backed up data into the new operating system.
Your system format is complete, also your data is backed up. Now you must create a strong firewall against such malicious threats to prevent the future attacks.
Cyber attackers are very advanced and had learned to gain illegal access to the computer. More than that, they make their malware more adaptable, resilient and damaging. It is impossible to stop cyberwarfare and cyberterrorism by common antivirus software.
Thus, the best preventive step is to upgrade our cyber defence systems at home and office computers with those cybersecurity tools that could delete Decisivekey@tutanota.com AUF ransomware with their real-time protection feature, quarantine feature, web protection and anti-exploit technology.
Note: If your computer doesn’t have such security software, then download ITL Total Security and Malware Crusher to prevent malware attacks on your system. Both are reputable, vigilant and robust in creating a shield 24X7 against any cyberthreat.
These tools are highly recommended if you are willing to give advanced security to your PC. Their 5-minute function could be a saviour for your computer!
Tips to Prevent virus and malware from Infecting Your System:
- Enable your popup blocker: Pop-ups and ads on the websites are the most adoptable tactic used by cybercriminals or developers with the core intention to spread malicious programs.
So, avoid clicking uncertain sites, software offers, pop-ups etc. and Install a powerful ad- blocker for Chrome, Mozilla, and IE
- Keep your Windows Updated: To avoid such infections, we recommend that you should always keep your system updated through automatic windows update.By doing this you can keep your device free from virus.According to the survey, outdated/older versions of Windows operating system are an easy target.
- Third-party installation: Try to avoid freeware download websites as they usually install bundled of software with any installer or stub file.
- Regular Backup: Regular and periodical backup helps you to keep your data safe in case the system is infected by any kind of virus or any other infection.Thus always backup important files regularly on a cloud drive or an external hard drive.
- Always have an Anti-Virus: Precaution is better than cure. We recommend that you install an antivirus like ITL Total Security or a good Malware Removal Tool like Download Virus RemovalTool
