Btos ransomware

Btos ransomware – yet another version in the family of Djvu/STOP virus that cannot be decrypted

Btos ransomware is a cryptovirus that makes users scared and frustrated when commonly used data becomes useless after the encryption process. This threat comes silently and victims cannot fully understand what happened until the ransom note file _readme.txt gets placed on the desktop and in other folders with affected files. The text file includes a brief message from virus developers and statements about possible solutions and further actions. However, since these people are focused on getting money from victims there is no reason to even consider paying the developers. It may seem like the only option since decryption is a way to get your files back but crypto-extortionists from such a huge family of malware like Djvu ransomware should not be trusted.

Especially when the recent STOPDecrypter is no longer supported that was used to recover files of many victims before. Right now this tool is not useful because major changes in the coding and encryption affected recovery options. There are some possible solutions for versions that came out before August of 2019 because offline keys were mainly used in those processes. Newer versions, including Btos ransomware virus, fall into the category of versions that cannot be decrypted. Or at least easily.

When online keys get used for encryption, each victim gets a unique ID that identifies each particular person and their files, so criminals know what is what. Offline key usage helped researchers to develop the scheme when one key helped to decrypt many different files for victims affected by the same version of ransomware. Some of the victims of the malware versions in this huge cryptovirus family can get help from researchers that developed Djvu decrypter, but that also involves victims with offline IDs. If your particular key involves t1 at the end, you can possibly get your files back.

Btos ransomware starts the infiltration process by entering the machine and finding files for encryption. Developers haven’t changed many features of this virus, so it targets documents, images, audio, video files, and archives or databases. These are the types of files that are commonly the most important ones on the machine, so people want to get them back.^[1] 

It is typical for ransomware to encrypt files as the first step of such an attack and then demand money, so other changes happen in the background when people are considering to pay the ransom. Btos ransomware, in particular, can spread secondary payloads of malware like info-stealing trojans and worms, other malware.^[2] Also, other versions tried to mask background processes with fake Windows Update pop-up windows, so people cannot notice the infection at first.

However, there are more changes that threats like this can make on the machine, so Btos ransomware removal and file recovery process are more difficult for the person. Ransomware can:

• delete Shadow Volume Copies;
• disable programs or install other apps;
• add or alter registry entries;
• turn off security functions and features;
• load malware on the machine;
• steal data directly from the machine;
• use keyloggers and other techniques to collect valuable details.

As we mentioned, malware creators try to make it barely possible to restore files after encryption and more difficult to remove Btos ransomware by affecting these functions and features. However, even though there are fewer methods for file recovery, you can still clean the machine from this threat. You need to rely on professional tools and scan the machine fully, so all the traces can get detected and deleted. Anti-malware tools are designed to do that, so rely on a good AV engine. 
Btos ransomware is the malware that locks files and marks them with a particular extension to make people pay the ransom. Even though your biggest concern is the recovery fo those lost files, you need to clean the machine from Btos ransomware fully until you do anything regarding data restoration, especially when it comes to data backups or third-party software. you can end up with all files encrypted if you put an external device with file backups on the infected machine. 

First steps when affected by ransomware

Btos ransomware as any other cryptovirus starts the attack with encryption and ransom demand that gets delivered on the pop-up window or in the text file like _readme.txt which displays the following:

ATTENTION!

Don’t worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like photos, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
https://we.tl/t-Oc0xgfzC7q
Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that’s price for you is $490.
Please note that you’ll never restore your data without payment.
Check your e-mail “Spam” or “Junk” folder if you don’t get answer more than 6 hours.

To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
[email protected]

Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
[email protected]

Your personal ID:

The first reaction may be to contact criminals and go straight to paying, but that shouldn’t be the first step. However, you need to react as soon as you get a message from virus developers and see the symptoms of the threat. Then you need to get rid of the virus and repair damage as soon as possible, so Btos ransomware cannot damage your computer permanently.

You can expect to get more information about decryption options or that researchers may update the decrypter for this family, so store at least some of the encrypted files and data related to malware, so you can have that options in the future. But clean the machine fully after that.

Also, traces of the virus can trigger different processes related to malicious Btos ransomware, so you should run a system optimizer like Reimage Reimage Cleaner to check for damaged files or other affected parts of system settings or functions. Then, proceed with your chosen method of file recovery. A few additional methods can be found below.

Malicious files get to be hidden in various places and disguised as safe content

It is known that ransomware is one of the most dangerous threats that stealthily infiltrates machines and can do that unnoticed. This is because of the deceptive and misleading techniques used to spread threats like this:

• pirated software;
• malicious files;
• other malware;
• malicious websites.

To keep your device safe from such threats, you need to pay close attention to torrent sites, sharing services and cracks or game cheats you download. Content like this can include malware payload. Also, email attachments can be injected with macros that drop the ransomware, so check any notification before opening the attachment file directly on your device.

Go straight to Btos ransomware termination when you notice the infection

When you get the news that Btos ransomware virus got on the device and encrypted your important files, you cannot be sure that it happened not long ago. It is possible that malware had already affected the features and functions of the machine, so you don’t have many options.

The best expert^[3] tip for Btos ransomware removal would be anti-malware programs and a full system scan that such tools can perform. The malware detection application indicates potentially dangerous files and programs, so you can see what happens on the machine.

When the scanning is done, you should be able to choose what to do or the program simply offers you to remove Btos ransomware and other threats automatically. Tools like Reimage Reimage Cleaner , SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner, or Malwarebytes can help to check for any leftovers and possibly clean the virus damage for you.

Remove Btos using Safe Mode with Networking

Reboot the system in Safe Mode with Networking, so you can freely eliminate the Btos ransomware virus

• Windows 7 / Vista / XP
  1. Click Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
  2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
  3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list

  Windows 10 / Windows 8

  1. Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
  2. Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
  3. Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Networking in Startup Settings window.

• Log in to your infected account and start the browser. Download Reimage Reimage Cleaner or other legitimate anti-spyware program. Update it before a full system scan and remove malicious files that belong to your ransomware and complete Btos removal.

If your ransomware is blocking Safe Mode with Networking, try further method.

Remove Btos using System Restore

System Restore feature can help with the infection and eliminate the threat by recovering the machine in a previous state

Bonus: Recover your data

Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove Btos from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.

If your files are encrypted by Btos, you can use several methods to restore them:

Data Recovery Pro helps with files damaged by malware or accidentally deleted by the user

When file backups are not available, try Data Recovery Pro for files affected by Btos ransomware virus

• Download Data Recovery Pro;
• Follow the steps of Data Recovery Setup and install the program on your computer;
• Launch it and scan your computer for files encrypted by Btos ransomware;
• Restore them.

Try Windows Previous Versions

When System Restore gets enabled before, Windows Previous Versions can recover data encoded by malware. It works for individual files

• Find an encrypted file you need to restore and right-click on it;
• Select “Properties” and go to “Previous versions” tab;
• Here, check each of available copies of the file in “Folder versions”. You should select the version you want to recover and click “Restore”.

ShadowExplorer – a method for file recovery

When it is known that Btos ransomware hasn’t affected Shadow Volume Copies, you can use ShadowExplorer to recover files

• Download Shadow Explorer (http://shadowexplorer.com/);
• Follow a Shadow Explorer Setup Wizard and install this application on your computer;
• Launch the program and go through the drop down menu on the top left corner to select the disk of your encrypted data. Check what folders are there;
• Right-click on the folder you want to restore and select “Export”. You can also select where you want it to be stored.

You can try the Emisoft decryption tool for your files

Some of the versions can be decrypted with Djvu decrypter

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Btos and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as Reimage Reimage Cleaner , SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes