.Kiratos file extension ransomware virus (Restore, Decrypt .kiratos files)

A new variant of ransomware virus has been discovered by security professionals. It appends the .kiratos file extension to encrypted files. This ransomware targets computers running Microsoft Windows by spam emails, malware or manually installing the ransomware. Read below a brief summary of information related to this ransomware and how to restore or decrypt .kiratos files for free.

What is ‘Kiratos ransomware virus’? It is a malicious software that encrypts files until a ransom is paid to the cyber criminal. Once started, the .Kiratos ransomware will scan the machine for some file types and encrypt them. It will encrypt almost of files, including:

.wp6, .dazip, .sql, .xxx, .w3x, .wbm, .mlx, .wps, .d3dbsp, .icxs, .bkf, .vpp_pc, .ai, .ysp, .xar, .cr2, .vcf, .xwp, .t12, .esm, .qdf, .fpk, .pkpass, .yal, .png, .xlk, .ff, .tor, .p7c, .p12, .itm, .wpe, .lrf, .wpg, .2bp, .wire, .dba, .erf, .zabw, .xy3, .ibank, .z3d, .xyw, .zi, .wcf, .cas, .xlsm, .pptx, .asset, .orf, .der, .wmd, .wp7, .pef, .gho, .webp, .zw, .map, .bc7, .crw, .dmp, .hplg, .rim, .wpa, .xmind, .xml, .wdp, .wbk, .kdb, .zip, .slm, .mpqge, .zip, .bkp, wallet, .fos, .sr2, .ntl, .docx, .sidn, .odt, .wbz, .sie, .vfs0, .wpd, .y, .p7b, .wsc, .x, .rwl, .wmo, .zdc, .dxg, .1, .dng, .3ds, .big, .hkx, .svg, .jpeg, .raw, .xls, .wgz, .sav, .das, .0, .3fr, .js, .wp4, .ltx, .xlsb, .xll, .sidd, .iwd, .wbmp, .rtf, .mddata, .crt, .pst, .odp, .hkdb, .yml, .ztmp, .wbc, .wmv, .mp4, .vpk, .mdb, .bsa, .xlgc, .srw, .ptx, .odm, .xbdoc, .xx, .py, .pem, .psk, .m2, .upk, .wma, .xlsx, .ods, .wm, .tax, .sid, .jpe, .wot, .wbd, .xbplate, .xpm, .xls, .xld, .rb, .doc, .1st, .xmmap, .wb2, .wmv, .bik, .wpb, .pak, .flv, .layout, .ncf, .cdr, .wpw, .xf, .cfr, .sis, .css, .indd, .eps, .wps, .qic, .hvpl, .odc, .desc, .m3u, .avi, .mcmeta, .wpd, .ppt, .xyp, .wsh, .nrw, .ybk, .pptm, .x3d, .litemod, .ws, .txt, .rw2, .wav, .x3f, .wpl, .forge, .syncdb, .mdbackup, .x3f, .cer, .epk, .bay, .apk, .wmf, .db0, .raf, .wri, .kf, .iwi, .csv, .mrwref, .odb, .bar, .wp5, .t13, .wma, .pfx, .pdf, .wsd, .zdb, .wpt, .sum, .psd, .rofl, .pdd, .wotreplay, .lvl, .jpg, .xdl, .lbf, .dbf, .re4, .kdc, .blob, .srf, .accdb, .mdf, .wn, .wdb, .vtf, .docm, .webdoc, .7z, .dwg, .fsh, .bc6, .z, .snx, .wp, .rgss3a, .menu, .vdf, .dcr, .gdb, .sb, .xlsx, .arch00, .mov, .rar, .itdb, .itl, .3dm, .xlsm, .mef, .xdb

Upon successful encryption, it appends the .kiratos extension to the file name of its encrypted file. The ransomware also creates a text file named “_readme.txt” in each folder. This file is a ransom instructions. The ransomnote asks for money in the form of bitcoins. The content of the ransom demanding message is below:

ATTENTION!
 
Don't worry my friend, you can return all your files!
All your files like photos, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
https://we.tl/t-oEUEuysYiZ
Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that's price for you is $490.
Please note that you'll never restore your data without payment.
Check your e-mail "Spam" or "Junk" folder if you don't get answer more than 6 hours.
 
 
To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
vengisto@firemail.cc
 
Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
vengisto@india.com
 
Support Telegram account:
@datarestore
 
Your personal ID:

 

Threat Summary

Name	.Kiratos ransomware
Type	Ransomware, Filecoder, Crypto virus, File locker
Contact Email	vengisto@firemail.cc, vengisto@india.com, Telegram account @datarestore
Ransom note	_readme.txt
Symptoms	When you try to open your file, Windows notifies that you do not have permission to open this file Your photos, documents and music have new extension appended at the end of the file name Files called such as ‘READ-ME’, ‘_open me’, _DECRYPT YOUR FILES’ or ‘_Your files have been encrypted” in every folder with an encrypted file Ransom note in a pop-up window with cybercriminal’s ransom demand and instructions
Removal	To remove .Kiratos ransomware use the removal guide
Decryption	To decrypt .Kiratos ransomware use the steps

 

In the steps below, I have outlined few methods that you can use to remove .Kiratos ransomware from your machine and restore (decrypt) .kiratos files using only free software.

Quick links

1. How to remove .Kiratos ransomware virus
2. How to decrypt .kiratos files
3. Use STOPDecrypter to decrypt .kiratos files
4. How to restore .kiratos files
5. How to protect your machine from .Kiratos ransomware virus?
6. Finish words

How to remove .Kiratos ransomware virus

We can assist you remove .Kiratos ransomware virus, without the need to take your computer to a professional. Simply follow the removal steps below if you currently have the ransomware on your computer and want to remove it. If you have any difficulty while trying to delete this ransomware virus, feel free to ask for our help in the comment section below. Read it once, after doing so, please print this page as you may need to shut down your browser or reboot your computer.

Remove .Kiratos ransomware with Zemana Anti-malware

Zemana Anti-malware is a tool that can delete ransomware infections, adware software, potentially unwanted software, hijackers and other malicious software from your computer easily and for free. Zemana Anti-malware is compatible with most antivirus software. It works under Windows (10 – XP, 32 and 64 bit) and uses minimum of PC system resources.

Now you can set up and use Zemana AntiMalware (ZAM) to remove .Kiratos ransomware virus from your system by following the steps below:

Visit the following page to download Zemana AntiMalware (ZAM) installation package called Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup on your personal computer. Save it directly to your MS Windows Desktop.

Launch the installation package after it has been downloaded successfully and then follow the prompts to setup this utility on your PC.

During installation you can change certain settings, but we recommend you do not make any changes to default settings.

When setup is finished, this malware removal utility will automatically start and update itself. You will see its main window as displayed below.

Now press the “Scan” button to perform a system scan with this utility for the .Kiratos ransomware and other security threats. This process can take quite a while, so please be patient.

When that process is finished, you will be displayed the list of all detected items on your computer. All detected items will be marked. You can delete them all by simply click “Next” button.

The Zemana will remove .Kiratos ransomware and other kinds of potential threats. After the task is finished, you can be prompted to restart your computer to make the change take effect.

Run MalwareBytes Anti-Malware to remove Kiratos ransomware

Remove Kiratos ransomware manually is difficult and often this ransomware virus is not completely removed. Therefore, we suggest you to run the MalwareBytes that are completely clean your system. Moreover, this free application will help you to remove other malicious software, trojans, worms and adware that your PC can be infected too.

Download MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) from the link below.

After the downloading process is finished, close all apps and windows on your system. Double-click the install file called mb3-setup. If the “User Account Control” dialog box pops up as displayed in the following example, click the “Yes” button.

It will open the “Setup wizard” which will help you set up MalwareBytes on your computer. Follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.

Once install is finished successfully, click Finish button. MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) will automatically start and you can see its main screen as shown below.

Now click the “Scan Now” button to begin checking your personal computer for the Kiratos ransomware virus and other malicious software and potentially unwanted apps. This procedure may take some time, so please be patient. While the MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) tool is checking, you can see count of objects it has identified as being infected by malware.

Once finished, MalwareBytes Free will show you the results. Review the scan results and then click “Quarantine Selected” button. The MalwareBytes will remove Kiratos ransomware virus and other malicious software and add threats to the Quarantine. When disinfection is done, you may be prompted to restart the system.

We recommend you look at the following video, which completely explains the procedure of using the MalwareBytes to remove adware, browser hijacker and other malicious software.

Remove .Kiratos ransomware from machine with KVRT

If MalwareBytes anti malware or Zemana anti malware cannot delete this ransomware, then we suggests to run the KVRT. KVRT is a free removal tool for ransomware viruss, adware, potentially unwanted software and toolbars.

Download Kaspersky virus removal tool (KVRT) from the following link. Save it to your Desktop so that you can access the file easily.

Once the downloading process is finished, double-click on the KVRT icon. Once initialization procedure is finished, you will see the Kaspersky virus removal tool screen as displayed on the screen below.

Click Change Parameters and set a check near all your drives. Click OK to close the Parameters window. Next click Start scan button to search for .Kiratos ransomware and other trojans and harmful applications. This task may take some time, so please be patient. While the tool is checking, you can see how many objects and files has already scanned.

As the scanning ends, a list of all threats found is prepared like below.

Once you’ve selected what you want to get rid of from your PC press on Continue to begin a cleaning process.

How to decrypt .kiratos files

The .Kiratos ransomware virus offers to make a payment in Bitcoins to get a key to decrypt files.

Should you pay the ransom? A majority of IT security researchers will reply immediately that you should never pay a ransom if infected by ransomware! If you choose to pay the ransom, there is no 100% guarantee that you can decrypt all files!

With some variants of Kiratos ransomware, it is possible to decrypt or restore encrypted files using free tools such as STOPDecrypter, ShadowExplorer and PhotoRec.

Use STOPDecrypter to decrypt .kiratos files

Michael Gillespie (@) released a free decryption tool named STOPDecrypter (download from download.bleepingcomputer.com/demonslay335/STOPDecrypter.zip).

STOPDecrypter has been updated to include decryption support for the following .djvu* variants (.djvu, .djvuu, .udjvu, .djvuq, .djvur, .djvut, .pdff, .tro, .tfude, .tfudeq, .tfudet, .rumba, .adobe, .adobee, .blower, .promos. STOPDecrypter will work for any extension of the Djvu* variants including new extensions (.kiratos).

Please check the twitter post for more info.

How to restore .kiratos files

In some cases, you can recover files encrypted by .Kiratos ransomware virus. Try both methods. Important to understand that we cannot guarantee that you will be able to restore all encrypted personal files.

Use shadow copies to recover .kiratos files

In some cases, you have a chance to restore your documents, photos and music which were encrypted by the .Kiratos ransomware. This is possible due to the use of the utility named ShadowExplorer. It is a free application which created to obtain ‘shadow copies’ of files.

Visit the page linked below to download ShadowExplorer. Save it directly to your Microsoft Windows Desktop.

After downloading is done, open a directory in which you saved it. Right click to ShadowExplorer-0.9-portable and select Extract all. Follow the prompts. Next please open the ShadowExplorerPortable folder like below.

Double click ShadowExplorerPortable to run it. You will see the a window as on the image below.

In top left corner, choose a Drive where encrypted photos, documents and music are stored and a latest restore point as displayed in the following example (1 – drive, 2 – restore point).

On right panel look for a file that you wish to recover, right click to it and select Export as displayed below.

Run PhotoRec to restore .kiratos files

Before a file is encrypted, the .Kiratos ransomware virus makes a copy of this file, encrypts it, and then deletes the original file. This can allow you to restore your photos, documents and music using file restore programs like PhotoRec.

Download PhotoRec on your computer by clicking on the following link.

Once downloading is done, open a directory in which you saved it. Right click to testdisk-7.0.win and choose Extract all. Follow the prompts. Next please open the testdisk-7.0 folder as displayed in the following example.

Double click on qphotorec_win to run PhotoRec for Windows. It will open a screen as displayed below.

Select a drive to recover as displayed in the following example.

You will see a list of available partitions. Select a partition that holds encrypted documents, photos and music as on the image below.

Press File Formats button and specify file types to recover. You can to enable or disable the restore of certain file types. When this is complete, click OK button.

Next, click Browse button to choose where recovered photos, documents and music should be written, then press Search.

Count of recovered files is updated in real time. All restored documents, photos and music are written in a folder that you have chosen on the previous step. You can to access the files even if the recovery process is not finished.

When the recovery is finished, press on Quit button. Next, open the directory where recovered files are stored. You will see a contents as displayed on the image below.

All restored personal files are written in recup_dir.1, recup_dir.2 … sub-directories. If you are searching for a specific file, then you can to sort your recovered files by extension and/or date/time.

How to protect your machine from .Kiratos ransomware virus?

Most antivirus applications already have built-in protection system against the ransomware. Therefore, if your machine does not have an antivirus application, make sure you install it. As an extra protection, run the HitmanPro.Alert.

Run HitmanPro.Alert to protect your computer from .Kiratos ransomware

HitmanPro.Alert is a small security utility. It can check the system integrity and alerts you when critical system functions are affected by malware. HitmanPro.Alert can detect, remove, and reverse ransomware effects.

Installing the HitmanPro Alert is simple. First you will need to download HitmanPro Alert by clicking on the link below. Save it directly to your Windows Desktop.

Once the download is complete, open the file location. You will see an icon like below.

Double click the HitmanPro Alert desktop icon. When the utility is started, you will be shown a window where you can select a level of protection, as displayed on the screen below.

Now press the Install button to activate the protection.

Finish words

Once you’ve done the few simple steps above, your computer should be clean from .Kiratos ransomware virus and other malicious software. Your system will no longer encrypt your personal files. Unfortunately, if the few simple steps does not help you, then you have caught a new variant of ransomware virus, and then the best way – ask for help here.