What is Eman50 ransomware? And how does it carry out its attack?
Eman50 ransomware is the newest variant of Matrix ransomware which follows the other Matrix variant, Eman ransomware that was released a few days ago, in the first week of October 2018. It seems like Eman50 is the modified version of Eman ransomware as it still uses the same ransom note although the name is slightly different but the contents are just the same. This new variant uses a different email address which is “[email protected]”. Aside from that, this new variant uses .EMAN50 extension in marking the files it encrypts while its predecessor uses .EMAN extension.
Eman50 ransomware carries out its attack the same as Eman ransomware and it also uses both the AES 128-bit and RSA 2048-bit encryption algorithms in encrypting files. Before it gets to the encryption part, Eman50 ransomware employs a data gathering module used to obtain data about the user and the system. The data obtained is used for the stealth protection module along with other malicious components. It then proceeds to alter some registry keys and entries in the Windows Registry, allowing it to run on every system startup. After that, it starts encrypting its targeted files. Once the encryption is completed, it releases a file named “#README_EMAN50#.rtf” – this file contains a quite long message. Here are some parts of the ransom note:
“HOW TO RECOVER YOUR FILES INSTRUCTION
ATENTION!!!
We are realy sorry to inform you that ALL YOUR FILES WERE ENCRYP‘I‘ED
by our automatic software. it became possible because of bad server security.
ATENTIION!!!
Please don‘t worry. we can help you to RESTORE your server to original
state and decrypt all your files quickly and safely!
INFORMATION!!!
Files are not broken!!!
Files were encrypted with AES-128+RSA-2048 crypto algorithms.
There is no way to decrypt your files without unique decryption key and special software. Your unique
decryption key is securely stored on our server. For our safety, all information about your server and your
decryption key will be automaticaly DELETED AFTER 7 DAYS! You will irrevocably lose all your data!
Please note that all the attempts to recover your files by yourself or using third party tools will result only in
irrevocable loss of your data!
Please note that you can recover files only with your unique decryption key, which stored on our side. If you
will use the help of third parties, you will only add a middleman.
HOW TO RECOVER FILES???
Please write us to the e-mail (write on English or use professional translator):
[Redacted]
You have to send your message on each of our 3 emails due to the fact that the message may not reach
their intended recipient for a variety of reasons!
In subject line write your personal ID:
[Redacted]
We recommed you to attach 3 encrypted files to your message. We will demonstrate that we can recover your
files.”
How does Eman50 ransomware proliferate?
Like other Matrix variants, Eman50 ransomware may proliferate via spam emails. This is one of the most common methods used by cyber crooks in spreading ransomware threats. Crooks often attach a malicious file in spam emails and send them to users using spam bots. This is why before you download any attachment, you have to double check the email first no matter who the sender is since crooks tend to disguise the emails in order to trick users in opening the attachment.
Use the removal guide below to terminate Eman50 ransomware from your computer.
Step 1: Open the Task Manager by tapping the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys on your keyboard.
Step 2: After opening the Task Manager, go to the Processes tab and look for the malicious processes of Eman50 ransomware like nwovkcyl.exe then right click on it and select End Process or End Task.
Step 3: Close the Task Manager and tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and then type “appwiz.cpl” in the field and hit Enter to open the Programs and Features in Control Panel.
Step 4: From there, look for dubious programs that might by related to Eman50 ransomware and then Uninstall it/them.
Step 5: Close Control Panel and then tap Win + E to launch File Explorer.
Step 6: After opening File Explorer, navigate to the following directories below and look for Eman50 ransomware’s malicious components such as the nwovkcyl.exe, #README_EMAN50#.rtf, [random].exe and other suspicious-looking files and then erase them all.
- %TEMP%
- %APPDATA%
- %DESKTOP%
- %USERPROFILE%\Downloads
- C:\ProgramData\local\
Step 7: 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 8: Tap Win + R to open Run and then type in regedit in the field and tap enter to pull up Windows Registry.
Step 9: Navigate to the listed paths below and look for the registry keys and sub-keys created by Eman50 ransomware.
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\
- HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop\
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
Step 10: Delete the registry keys and sub-keys created by Eman50 ransomware.
Step 11: Close the Registry Editor.
Step 12: Empty your Recycle Bin.
Try to recover your encrypted files using their Shadow Volume copies
Restoring your encrypted files using Windows’ Previous Versions feature will only be effective if Eman50 ransomware hasn’t deleted the shadow copies of your files. But still, this is one of the best and free methods there is, so it’s definitely worth a shot.
To restore the encrypted file, right-click on it and select Properties, a new window will pop-up, then proceed to Previous Versions. It will load the file’s previous version before it was modified. After it loads, select any of the previous versions displayed on the list like the one in the illustration below. And then click the Restore button.
Once you’re done executing the steps given above, you need to continue the removal process of Eman50 ransomware using a reliable program like [product-name]. How? Follow the advanced removal steps below.
- 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.
