Guide to Remove Budak Ransomware

Are you finding it difficult to access pictures, videos & documents on your system? Do you see an alien extension, .Budak, appended to the filenames?

If so, then there are positives that your system is infected by another devious variant of STOP (DJVU) Ransomware Family, the Budak Ransomware.

Yes, Budak is a nasty File Encrypting Virus that has been discovered by the cyber-security analysts recently. Just like other stop djvu Ransomware variants, Budak Ransomware spreads its infection via spam-email campaigns, unreliable software download sources, peer-to-peer networks & fake software updaters.

Upon infecting the system, it encrypts most of the stored files & appends the filenames with Budak extension. A unique decryption key is required to restore the encrypted back, which is stored on the hacker’s server.

Victims are required to pay handsome amount to the hackers in order to purchase the decryption key & restore their data.

Does paying the ransom helps in getting the encrypted data restored? Is there any way of preventing .Budak File Virus from infecting your system? Is it possible to remove Budak Ransomware from infected PC? Read on to learn how to uninstall Budak & recover .Budak files.

Threat Summary-

Threat Behavior of Budak Ransomware

The giant Clan of STOP DJVU Ransomware welcomed another perilous member recently named Budak Ransomware. It is spreading its infection at an alarming rate & has infected a large number of systems so far.

Other pernicious Ransomware that are active & posing threat to computer–users across the world are Ims00ry, Pox & Adame.

According to the reports, spam e-mail Campaigns, online fraudulent advertising & unreliable software download/install sources are the prime channels of distribution of stop Budak Ransomware.

This high risk Ransomware infection stealthily gets on to the computer & scrutinizes the system for the targeted files. When found, it encrypts user & system files by using a complex Encryption method such as RAS & AES. In addition to that, Budak delete Shadow Volume Copies from the system.

The encrypted files are appended with .budak extension & hence made inaccessible to the users.

For example, the file name “presentation.ppt” might be renamed as “presentation.ppt.budak” after encryption.

The file extensions targeted by the Budak File Virus, may include:

• Document files (.docx, .doc, .odt, .rtf, .text, .pdf, .htm, .ppt)
• Audio Files (.mp3, .aif, .iff, .m3u, .m4u, .mid, .mpa, .wma, .ra, .avi, .mov, .mp4)
• Video Files (.3gp, .mpeg, .3g2, .asf, .asx, .flv, .mpg, .wmv, .vob)
• Images (.jpg, .jpeg, .raw, .tif, .gif, .png)
• Backup Files (.bck, .bckp, .tmp, .gho)

Ransom Note & Ransom Amount for Budak Ransomware

Cyber-criminals behind Stop Budak Ransomware seek to generate illicit revenue by extorting hefty amount from the victims in return of a decryption key. The cryptography algorithms used by the hackers to encrypt the files also generate a unique decryption key for each infected system.

Once the files are encrypted, a ransom-demanding message in text format (_readme.txt) is dropped in every folder of the infected systems that contains .budak files.

The note appears every-time the user tries to open the encrypted files. It prompts the user to contact the hackers & pay the ransom amount (in Bitcoins) in order to restore the data.

The hackers offer to decrypt one encrypted file (not containing sensitive information) for absolutely no cost. The restored file is then sent back to the victim as a proof of decryption.

Impacted users may contact the hackers via e-mail on varasto@firemail.cc or gorentos@bitmessage.ch.

Ransom Amount: The Ransom amount demanded by STOP DJVU Ransomware hackers remains same for all the variants.

The hackers demand $980 for every decryption key & ask users to contact them to receive payment & decryption related instructions.

Any victim that contacts the hackers within 72 hours of the encryption can avail 50% discount on the Ransom amount (i.e., $480).

Note: The claim to decrypt the files for absolutely no cost is a mere trick to take the users into thinking that decryption is possible.

Many of the victims often tend to contact the hackers & pay them the ransom amount as they fear losing their data. However, the analysis by cyber-security researchers show that hackers avoid responding the victims after the amount has been received.

Therefore, we advise you to avoid contacting the hackers, if infected. Do not let hackers extort money & succeed in their plans.

Rather, be vigilant & act smart. Take a backup on your data regularly on an external storage device & be cautious wile streaming online. Following good security practices may help in preventing .Budak File Virus from infecting your system.

Distribution Techniques of Budak Ransomware-

Crypto-Virus infections such as Budak Ransomware mainly spread via spam e-mails containing malicious attachments. Hackers send out a myriad of spam e-mails with legit subject lines, to trick the users to believe it is from an authentic source. These may include shipping firms such as DHL or FedEx. The e-mails suggest that executive tried attempting a delivery to the user, but failed due to some unexpected circumstances.

Users, out of their curiosity, open the attached files/links embedded inside the e-mail & invite Budak File Virus on their system.

Other common methods used by the hackers to propagate .budak file virus infection are-

• Unofficial software download sources
• Freeware/Shareware download websites/sources
• Fake Software Installers/Updaters
• Modified/Cracked Versions of Paid Apps
• Online Advertising/Discount Coupons, Pop-ups
• Malware Laden Suspicious sites/Adult Content Sites/Torrent Sites
• Software Bundling

How to remove .Budak infection from the system-

STEP A: Reboot your system to Safe Mode

To restart the system to Safe Mode with Networking,  if already switched ON then follow the below steps:

STEP B: Delete the suspicious key from the Configuration Settings

1. Type “Msconfig” in search box / Run Box, select it and press Enter.
2. Click on “Services” Tab and click on “Hide all Microsoft services”.
3. Select Budak Ransomware from the list of remaining services and disable it by removing the tick mark from the checkbox and click on Apply button.

STEP C: Remove Malicious Program from Command Prompt

Once the system starts, ensure to use an account with administrative privilege to access Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

After the user enters admin credentials, Command prompt window is displayed wherein you are entitled to enter the below commands:

1. Type the command “sc delete Budak Ransomware” in the command prompt and press Enter.
2. Type “exit” to exit the command prompt and restart the system in safe mode with command prompt.

STEP D: Restore the System Files & Folders

How to prevent Budak Ransomware from infecting your system-

1. Keeping the Operating System Updated- In order to remain protected and avoid such infections, it is recommended to keep your Operating System updated by enabling the automatic update on your system. The systems with outdated or older versions of Operating System become an easy target for the attackers.
2. Resist clicking on spam emails – One of the major techniques used for malware distribution is forwarding spam emails to the user. The system gets infected as soon as the user clicks on the attachment. These mails appear to be genuine, so be aware and resist falling for these tricks.
3. Keep an eye on third party installations- It is quite important that you take due care while installing any third party applications for they are major source of such infections. Such malware programs come bundled with the free applications thereby requiring the user to remain cautious.
4. Regular periodical backup- In order to keep your data and files safe, it is recommended to take regular back up of all your data and files either on an external drive or cloud.
5. Use Anti-Virus Protection- We strongly recommend the use of antivirus protection/internet security in your PC like Vipre, Kaspersky & BULL GUARD. so that it remains safe.
6. Enable the Ad Blocker/Popup Blocker in your browser- Enabling the popup blocker/ ad blocker in your chosen browser will help you to stay protected from annoying adware.

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