What is Desktop ransomware? And how does it carry out its attack?

Desktop ransomware is a file-locking virus that renders files useless after it encrypts them. This crypto-malware was discovered in the first week of November 2018. This threat adds the “Lock.” Prefix to its encrypted files. It uses the AES cryptography in locking its targeted files.
Once it infiltrates a computer system, it begins to carry out its attack by adding some of its malicious components into system folders. These malicious components may be used to launch or repress processes. It could also make entries and modify existing ones in the Windows Registry which allows it to continue executing its attack the instant a victim starts or turns on the infected computer. This makes Desktop ransomware a persistent and dangerous threat.
Desktop ransomware may target common user-generated files like images, videos, documents, database, audio, and many more. Once it finds its targeted files, it encrypts them right away using the AES cipher. It then displays a GUI window which shows a ransom message that states:
“Welcome in
Desktop Ransomware
Oooooops All your files on the desktop
are encrypted To decrypt files enter PIN
see you soon
Enter PIN
PIN =
Deccryption
Get PIN”
When you click on the “Get PIN” button, it causes the infected system to load the default web browser and redirects you to a Facebook profile which at the time of writing, has already been removed. According to security experts, the long gone Facebook profile might be related to the developers of Desktop ransomware. If you are one of the unfortunate victims of this crypto-malware, you need not worry as security experts were able to come up with the PIN so that you can get access to your computer and restore encrypted files.
How is the malicious payload of Desktop ransomware distributed?
The malicious payload of Desktop ransomware may be distributed using a payload dropper that initiates the malicious scripts used to run Desktop ransomware in the system. Aside from that, it might also be distributed using social media sites and file-sharing services. Thus, you need to be cautious of what you download in the internet and make sure to always keep both your system and security programs up-to-date.
To effectively kill Desktop ransomware from your PC, make sure to follow the removal instructions below.
Step 1: Type in the code 00114455220033669988554477++// in the field and then click the Submit Key button to regain access to your computer.
Step 2: Pull up the Task Manager by tapping Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys on your keyboard.
Step 3: Go to the Processes tab and look for the process named Desktop Ransomware.exe and then end its process.

Step 4: Exit the Task Manager and open Control Panel by pressing the Windows key + R, then type in appwiz.cpl and then click OK or press Enter.
Step 5: Look for any dubious programs that might be related to Desktop Ransomware and then uninstall it.

Step 6: Close Control Panel and tap Win + E keys to open File Explorer.
Step 7: Navigate to the following locations and look for Desktop ransomware’s installer and malicious components like Desktop Ransomware.exe and other related files and delete them all.

  • %TEMP%
  • %APPDATA%
  • %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 us [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 listed paths below and look for the registry keys and sub-keys created by Desktop ransomware.

  • 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
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\Background
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Personalization
  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\ScreenSaveTimeOut
  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop

Step 11: Delete the registry keys and sub-keys created by Desktop ransomware.
Step 12: Close the Registry Editor.
Step 13: Empty your 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 Desktop 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 have finished executing the given steps above, now’s the time to ensure the complete removal of Desktop ransomware using [product-name]. Simply follow the instructions laid out below.
Perform a full system scan using [product-code]. To do so, follow these steps:

  1. Turn on your computer. If it’s already on, you have to reboot it.
  2. 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.
    1. To navigate the Advanced Option use the arrow keys and select Safe Mode with Networking then hit
    2. Windows will now load the Safe Mode with Networking.
    3. Press and hold both R key and Windows key.

    1. If done correctly, the Windows Run Box will show up.
    2. Type in the URL address, [product-url] in the Run dialog box and then tap Enter or click OK.
    3. After that, it will download the program. Wait for the download to finish and then open the launcher to install the program.
    4. Once the installation process is completed, run [product-code] to perform a full system scan.

    1. After the scan is completed click the “Fix, Clean & Optimize Now” button.

 
 

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