What is Argus Cryptor v1.0 ransomware? And how does it carry out its attack?
Argus Cryptor v1.0 ransomware, also known as Argus ransomware, is a data-encrypting malware that was discovered recently. It seems like the crooks behind this threat got its name from the famous gamers “World of Warcraft” titanium Argus. This new crypto-malware uses RSA 2048 cipher in encrypting its targeted files. According to security experts, it does not belong to any ransomware groups which means that it is most likely developed by an individual or a group.
Once it carries out its attack, Argus Cryptor v1.0 ransomware will connect the infected system to a remote Command and Control servers managed by the attackers. From this remote server, it downloads several malicious components and places them to system folders. After that, it may disable boot recovery menu and may add or modify entries in the Windows Registry so that it can run on every system boot. This makes Argus Cryptor v1.0 ransomware a persistent threat and difficult to get rid of. In addition, it also employs the data gathering and stealth protection modules in order to successfully carry out its nefarious attack on the infected computer. Following these system changes, Argus Cryptor v1.0 ransomware will begin the encryption process and applies the RSA cipher in locking the targeted files. After that, it appends the .ARGUS extension to every encrypted file and opens an html file named ARGUS-DECRYPT.html which contains the following message:
“.-=| ARGUS CRYPTOR V1.0 |=-.
Attention!
All your files, documents, photos, databases and other important files are encrypted!
The only method of recovering files is to purchase an unique private key. Only WE can recover your files!
You can get the private key by email as well as through a closed TOR network. You can get there by the following ways
<—————————————————————>
Main email : [email protected]
Reserved email : [email protected]
Follow the instructions
If the answer for a long time no
Download Tor browser – https://www.torproject.org/download/download-easy
Install Tor browser
Open Tor Browser
Open link in TOR browser: http://argusqug6aw25gye.onion/
Follow the instructions on this page
<—————————————————————>
You can get the opportunity to decrypt 1 file for free.
ATTENTION!
IN ORDER TO PREVENT DATA DAMAGE:
* DO NOT MODIFY ENCRYPTED FILES
* DO NOT DELETE ENCRYPTED FILES
* DO NOT RENAME ENCRYPTED FILES”
Apart from opening an html file, Argus Cryptor v1.0 ransomware also changes the desktop wallpaper of the infected computer which contains another ransom note that states:
“ARGUS RANSOMWARE v1.0
Dear admin!
All your files has been encrypted!
For encrypting used cryptographic algorithm RSA2048.
Only we can provide you decryptor.
Read the lnstructions.html for more information.
You can find this file everywhere on your PC.
Only we can provide you decryptor.
Do not attempt to decrypt the data yourself.
You might corrupt your files.
Don’t Delete Encrypted Files
Don’t Modify Encrypted Files
Don’t Rename Encrypted Files”
How does Argus Cryptor v1.0 ransomware proliferate?
Argus Cryptor v1.0 ransomware proliferates using several ways. For one, it might use malicious spam email campaigns in spreading its malicious payload. This malicious payload contains malicious scripts used to launch Argus Cryptor v1.0 ransomware in the system.
Eliminate Argus Cryptor v1.0 ransomware by following the removal guide given below.
Step 1: Tap the Ctrl + Alt + Delete keys to open a menu and then expand the Shut down options which is right next to the power button.
Step 2: After that, tap and hold the Shift key and then click on Restart.
Step 3: And in the Troubleshoot menu that opens, click on the Advanced options and then go to the Startup settings.
Step 4: Click on Restart and tap F4 to select Safe Mode or tap F5 to select Safe Mode with Networking.
Step 5: After your PC has successfully rebooted, tap Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
Step 6: Go to the Processes tab and look for any suspicious-looking processes that could be related to Argus Cryptor v1.0 ransomware and then end their processes.
Step 7: Exit the Task Manager and open Programs and Features in Control Panel by pressing the Windows key + R, then type in appwiz.cpl and then click OK or press Enter.
Step 8: Look for suspicious programs that could be related to Argus Cryptor v1.0 ransomware and then uninstall them.
Step 9: Close Control Panel and tap Win + E keys to open File Explorer.
Step 10: Navigate to the following locations and look for the malicious components created by Argus Cryptor v1.0 ransomware such as argus2.exe (Titan.exe), ARGUS-DECRYPT.html, lnstructions.html, wallpaper.bmp, audiodg.exe (sdelete.exe), <random> .exe as well as other dubious-looking files and then make sure to delete them all.
- %APPDATA%
- %TEMP%
- %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\
- %USERPROFILE%\Downloads
- %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
- C: \ Users \ admin \ audiodg.exe {sdelete}
Step 11: Close the File Explorer.
Before you proceed to the next steps below, make sure that you are tech savvy enough to the point where you know exactly how to use and navigate your computer’s Registry. Keep in mind that any changes you make will highly impact your computer. To save you the trouble and time, you can just use [product-name] this system tool is proven to be safe and excellent enough that hackers won’t be able to hack into it. But if you can manage Windows Registry well, then by all means go on to the next steps.
Step 12: Tap Win + R to open Run and then type in regedit in the field and tap enter to pull up Windows Registry.
Step 13: Navigate to the listed paths below and look for the registry keys and sub-keys created by Argus Cryptor v1.0 ransomware.
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ BCD00000000 \ Objects \ {003c0451-f02c-11e7-a3ec-8b9218e06f03} \ Elements \ 250000e0
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Sysinternals
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Sysinternals \ SDelete
Step 14: Delete the registry keys and sub-keys created by Argus Cryptor v1.0 ransomware.
Step 15: Close the Registry Editor and empty the contents of the Recycle Bin.
To ensure the removal of Argus Cryptor v1.0 ransomware from your system including the malicious components it has created on your system, follow the advanced steps below.
Perform a full system scan using [product-code]. To do so, follow these steps:
- Turn on your computer. If it’s already on, you have to reboot it.
- After that, the BIOS screen will be displayed, but if Windows pops up instead, reboot your computer and try again. Once you’re on the BIOS screen, repeat pressing F8, by doing so the Advanced Option shows up.
- To navigate the Advanced Option use the arrow keys and select Safe Mode with Networking then hit
- Windows will now load the Safe Mode with Networking.
- Press and hold both R key and Windows key.
- If done correctly, the Windows Run Box will show up.
- Type in the URL address, [product-url] in the Run dialog box and then tap Enter or click OK.
- After that, it will download the program. Wait for the download to finish and then open the launcher to install the program.
- Once the installation process is completed, run [product-code] to perform a full system scan.
- After the scan is completed click the “Fix, Clean & Optimize Now” button.
