How to Wipe Out Peekaboo Ransomware (Crypto-Malware/Ransomware)

What is Peekaboo ransomware? And how does it implement its attack?

Peekaboo ransomware is a file-encoding virus that appends the “.peekaboo” extension to the file it encrypts. This crypto-malware is designed to lock important data in a computer, leaving them inaccessible to victims. It behaves like a typical ransomware threat which means that it follows the same sequence in its attack as with other crypto-malware. It starts to implement its attack through a malicious payload.
The moment its payload is dropped in the system, it creates new malicious files that are needed for the next phase of the attack. Some of these malicious files take control of essential system processes so that Peekaboo ransomware can remain undetected until it has finished its attack. Moreover, it also exploits the auto-execute system functionality by setting some malicious values in the Run and RunOnce registry sub-keys. Once this happens, it achieves persistence on the infected device. After the alterations are made, Peekaboo ransomware scans the system to look for files to encrypt. Typical ransomware threats like this one usually targets user-generated files like documents, videos, images, audio and many more. Once it finds these files, it encrypts them using the DES encryption algorithm and adds the .Peekaboo extension to each one of the encrypted files. It then drops a text file named “@@_TAKE_A_LOOK_@@.txt” which contains the following message:
“$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$> PEEKABOO <$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ SORRY! Your files are encrypted. File contents are encrypted with random key. Random key is encrypted with RSA public key (2048 bit). We STRONGLY RECOMMEND you NOT to use any “decryption tools”. These tools can damage your data, making recover IMPOSSIBLE. Also we recommend you not to contact data recovery companies. They will just contact us, buy the key and sell it to you at a higher price. If you want to decrypt your files, you have to get RSA private key. — In order to get private key, write here: [email protected] =========== !ATTENTION! Attach file is 000000000.key from %appdata% to email message, without it we will not be able to decrypt your files =========== And pay $300 on BTC-wallet: 1NkjBNF7fmpRsX4WjokUie21m8bv9xvRKs If someone else offers you files restoring, ask him for test decryption. Only we can successfully decrypt your files; knowing this can protect you from fraud. You will receive instructions of what to do next. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$> PEEKABOO <$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$”
How does Peekaboo ransomware spread online?
Peekaboo ransomware uses the most common distribution method for ransomware infections – malicious spam email campaigns. Developers of Peekaboo attach a corrupted file in emails containing some commands used to launch the ransomware threat into the targeted system. The corrupted file may be a document, a PDF file, an executable file or a link to a malicious website.
Follow the removal instructions provided below in eliminating Peekaboo ransomware from your computer and recovering encrypted files.
Step 1: Close the ransom note of Peekaboo ransomware and end its malicious processes via Task Manager. To open it, tap Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys on your keyboard.
Step 2: Under the Task Manager, go to the Processes tab and look for any suspicious-looking process that takes up most of your CPU’s resources and is most likely related to Peekaboo ransomware.

Step 3: After that, close the Task Manager.
Step 4: Tap Win + R, type in appwiz.cpl and click OK or tap Enter to open Programs and Features under Control Panel.
Step 5: Under the list of installed programs, look for Peekaboo ransomware or anything similar and then uninstall it.

Step 6: Next, close Control Panel and tap Win + E keys to launch File Explorer.
Step 7: Navigate to the following locations below and look for the malicious components of Peekaboo ransomware such as @@_TAKE_A_LOOK_@@.txt and [random].exe as well as other suspicious files, then delete all of them.

%TEMP%
%WINDIR%\System32\Tasks
%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Templates\
%USERPROFILE%\Downloads
%USERPROFILE%\Desktop

Step 8: 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 9: Tap Win + R to open Run and then type in regedit in the field and tap enter to pull up Windows Registry.

Step 10: Navigate to the following path:

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 11: Delete the registry keys and sub-keys created by Peekaboo ransomware.
Step 12: Close the Registry Editor and empty the Recycle Bin.
Try to recover your encrypted files using the Shadow Volume copies
Restoring your encrypted files using Windows’ Previous Versions feature will only be effective if Peekaboo 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.

Using the advanced removal guidelines provided below, complete the removal process of Peekaboo ransomware.
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.