Understanding Horon Ransomware

DJVU ransomware family has another feather in its cap! Developers call it – Horon Ransomware. Alike its cousins, the Horon attack begins with encrypting the files. Once it gains access in your system, it immediately searches for targeted files to encrypt them.

If your files/data is locked with .horon extension, you cannot access the files. The algorithm used is strong and cannot be decrypted manually. Hence, they are often regarded as unbreakable. In order to decrypt .horon files, you need the decryption key, which is stored on hacker’s server. This key can only be obtained after paying the demanded ransom amount. Hackers encourage the victims to pay the ransom by displaying a ransom note on their screen. The message pops-up every time you try to open a locked file.

However, paying ransom is no solution! It only makes the ransomware industry profitable. The correct option is to remove Horon ransomware from your system.

This article will help you with the Horon virus removal guidelines and the menace caused!

Threat Summary

Distribution Technique

The primary gateway of Horon ransomware is the spam campaigns. During spam campaign, hackers sent spam e-mails with malicious attachments to the targeted system. Though the e-mails look legitimate, however the danger lies within the content or the attachment. Most of the time, such e-mails are sent with the name of some well-known shipping companies or financial organisations. PayPal, FedEx, eBay or DHL are the most used names. Generally, they inform you about an undelivered package or the invoice of a shipment that you made. Either way, when you open/download the attachment, your system is exposed to the risk of destructive crypto virus – Horon. The content of attachment is basically the hidden malicious macros. Once opened, it triggers the script of .horon extension and launches the malware payload on your system.

Even though the sender of such e-mails looks trustworthy or legitimate, you should always avoid suspicious e-mails or files. Instead, you should immediately delete such questionable e-mails from your inbox.

Apart from spam attacks, there are other ways this ransomware can infiltrate your system. One such is software updates. Fake updaters may infiltrate your system by exploiting the outdated bugs or installing other malicious applications in your system without your knowledge.

To conclude, we can say that the main reason for such infiltration is lack of proper knowledge and reckless behavior. Hence, be careful during your online sessions.

Threat Behavior

Once the malicious Horon extension sneaks in your system, it scans for targeted files! It may include your personal documents, images, audio-video files and even backup files. After successful scanning and locating the targeted files, the malicious activities of dangerous Horon, comes into picture. The execution of malicious activities run in the background, hence it does not show any specific symptoms. However, once the files are located, it encrypts them and makes them unreadable. Furthermore, to show its presence, it appends .Horon extension to the filenames.

It is said that, after successful file-encryption, the nasty crypto virus generates a unique .horon decryption tool. Unfortunately, it is true! Furthermore, this decryption tool/key is stored on the hacker’s server. Hence, getting it is not a kid’s stuff! If you wish to recover .Horon files, you have to pay hefty ransom. Cyber criminals demand this ransom in the form of bitcoins – A crypto currency! Hackers say, if the victims fail to make the payment within the specific time, they might permanently lose their data. Hence, with the fear of losing the data, victims get ready to pay the demanded amount. However, by paying the ransom you support the hackers financially.

Details of Ransom & Ransom Note

As mentioned earlier, the devil behind Horon ransomware demands hefty ransom in exchange of decryption key. A sum equal to $980 is demanded to enable the decryption key! In addition, to encourage the victims to make the payment quickly, hackers offer a discount of 50% in the ransom. Hence, the price reduced to $490! However, you can claim the offer, only if you contact the hackers within 72 hours of .Horon file virus attack. Users, the threat is not over yet! The desired ransom is demanded via a message.

This ransom-demanding message is sent in the form of text file – “_readme.txt”. This file displays the ransom note on your screen, every time you try to open a locked file. The ransom note guides you to make the payment successfully. In case of any difficulty, you can contact the hackers on the given e-mail addresses: gorentos@bitmessage.ch or gorentos@firemail.cc.

Moreover, in order to trap the users and get the payment done, hackers play a trick on them. They permit the victim to send one .horon file, which they decrypt for free. Most of the users got trapped and get ready to make the payment.

However, even after paying the ransom, there is no guarantee about the decryption of encrypted files. Hence, it is advisable to download Horon ransomware removal tool.

Following are a few possible steps to easily uninstall Horon file virus from your system.

Removal guidelines for Horon Ransomware

STEP A: Reboot your system to Safe Mode

STEP B: Delete the suspicious file from 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 Horon 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 file 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 Horon 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

Tips to prevent your system from Horon Ransomware

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 and Kaspersky 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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