Boot Extension Virus - How to remove

Boot is a new version of Djvu — a big ransomware family that’s been known for about two years. Boot works by encrypting the victim’s files and leaving behind a message demanding payment.

Boot is similar to Karl, Nesa, Meds, and other Djvu viruses. They all encrypt the victim’s data and then ask for a lot of money to decrypt it, then they don’t keep their word. According to the criminals responsible for Boot:

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.

Boot keeps your own files away from you with the help of encryption and the criminals responsible for it demand they be sent money. This is extortion and the best defense is to have been prepared before the infection.

Data backups can be used to restore the files, as soon as you’ve cleaned your computer of the infection. However, not everyone has taken care to set up data backups. And for them, the Boot infection can be devastating.

Boot ransomware features and removal:

Boot infection symptoms	Files have “.boot” attached to their names _readme.txt files left on multiple folders
Distribution	Pirated files Cracks Activators
Delete malicious programs	Scan with anti-malware tools (SpyHunter)
Restore .boot files	Data backups System Restore Volume Shadow Copies Data recovery software Free decryption

Boot infects through pirated files

Boot spread through pirated programs and files. This isn’t very common among ransomware. Other types send out generic emails with the infected files attached to thousands of people, some of which open these files and get infected. Other criminals steal people’s passwords and hack their computers through Remote Desktop, but only those of us who have RDP turned on are vulnerable. Some infect certain websites, forcing them to spread their ransomware to any visitor.

But Boot hides in cracks, activators, and other software meant to gain access to a paid program without paying. Activated programs can also be infected with Boot and then promoted on piracy sites. Piracy being dangerous isn’t just a myth; in some ways, it’s easier for cybercriminals to spread malware in such filesharing sites where there isn’t much quality control. Besides, there have been rumors of popular and well-maintained torrenting sites being targeted by scammers with false DMCA claims, which would limit safe options available to pirates even more.

It would be safer to only use legal programs, but at the very least, please use a professional anti-malware tool, preferably one with real-time protection, and scan every file you download. If it’s detected as ransomware, consider the warning seriously. Back up your data. That could save you a lot of stress.

Boot locks your files

The files are renamed — they have “.boot” added to their names after the original extension. For example, a file previously called “song.mp3” is renamed to “song.mp3.boot”. By the way

The files also can’t be opened anymore. Not because of the extension, but because Boot edited the contents of the files in a way that it looks like gibberish now.

Finally, Boot leaves behind files called “_readme.txt” which all contain the same message from the developers of the virus. The message claims that the files will be decrypted for $980 ($490 if you’re quick) and provides the email addresses to contact them on ([email protected] and [email protected]). However, there have been reports of the victims being ignored, having their money taken and the files not restored. Not surprising, but definitely something to be careful of.

Important — Boot installs a password stealer called Azorult. Do not use the infected computer for anything important, such as financial transactions. The developers of Boot might be able to get your wallet credentials, credit card data, or all the passwords saved in your browser. If they find a way to rob you, they’ll do it. So, change your passwords and only use your computer normally after it’s been cleaned of all malware.

Remove Boot ransomware and recover the files

After the ransomware and the spyware trojan have been deleted from your computer (instructions below), it’s safe to try and recover your files. Boot uses cryptography to lock them, which means that it should be possible to return your files to normal if you had the decryption key — the unique key that is necessary if you want to reverse the encryption. But only the criminals know this key and we’ve already established that dealing with them isn’t safe.

Luckily, there are a few other ways to recover lost data and replace the .boot files. The last section of this article lists them. Just remember that you don’t need to do any of that if you already have backups of your files.

By the way, some versions of Djvu have free decrypters for them made available by ransomware researchers. Those decrypters usually can only decode the files that were encrypted when the internet connection between the virus and the criminals’ server wasn’t working, but some of the people who tried the decrypters managed to get some of their files back. If Boot receives such an update, this article will be updated with that information. If you don’t delete or edit the encrypted files, you might recover some of them.

But first of all, Boot needs to be removed from the computer. This can be done with the help of a competent anti-malware program, such as SpyHunter.

Important -- edit the hosts file to unblock security websites

TL DR : The hosts file is edited to block security sites Before the virus can be removed, it's necessary to fix the hosts file (the file which controls which addresses connect to which IPs). That is the reason the majority of security websites is inaccessible when infected with this particular parasite. This infection edits this file to stop certain websites, including anti-malware download sites, from being accessed from the infected computer, making browsers return the "This site can't be reached" error. Luckily, it's trivial to fix the file and remove the edits that were made to it.

Find and edit the hosts file

The hosts file can be found on C:/Windows/System32/Drivers/etc/hosts. If you don't see it, change the settings to see hidden files.

1. In the Start Menu, search for Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel, find Appearance and Personalization.
3. Select Folder Options.
4. Open the View tab.
5. Open Advanced settings.
6. Select "Show hidden files...".
7. Select OK.

Open this file with administrator privileges.

1. Open the Start Menu and enter "notepad".
2. When Notepad shows up in the result, right-click on it.
3. In the menu, choose "Run as administrator"
4. File->Open and browse for the hosts file.

The hosts file should look like this: Delete additional lines that they connect various domain names to the wrong IP address. Save the file.

Download and run the antivirus program

After that, download antivirus programs and use them to remove the ransomware, the trojan, and other malware. Spyhunter (https://www.2-viruses.com/reviews/spyhunter/dwnld/).

Automatic Malware removal tools

How to recover Boot Extension Virus encrypted files and remove the virus

Step 1. Restore system into last known good state using system restore

1. Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt:

for Windows 7 / Vista/ XP

• Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
• Press F8 key repeatedly until Advanced Boot Options window appears.
• Choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

for Windows 8 / 10

• Press Power at Windows login screen. Then press and hold Shift key and click Restart.
• Choose Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings and click Restart.
• When it loads, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list of Startup Settings.

 

2.Restore System files and settings.

• When Command Prompt mode loads, enter cd restore and press Enter.
• Then enter rstrui.exe and press Enter again.
• Click “Next” in the windows that appeared.
• Select one of the Restore Points that are available before Boot has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of Boot Extension Virus

After restoring your system, it is recommended to scan your computer with an anti-malware program, like Spyhunter and remove all malicious files related to Boot. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore Boot Extension Virus affected files using Shadow Volume Copies

If you do not use System Restore option on your operating system, there is a chance to use shadow copy snapshots. They store copies of your files that point of time when the system restore snapshot was created. Usually Boot tries to delete all possible Shadow Volume Copies, so this methods may not work on all computers. However, it may fail to do so. Shadow Volume Copies are only available with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. There are two ways to retrieve your files via Shadow Volume Copy. You can do it using native Windows Previous Versions or via Shadow Explorer. a) Native Windows Previous Versions Right-click on an encrypted file and select Properties → Previous versions tab. Now you will see all available copies of that particular file and the time when it was stored in a Shadow Volume Copy. Choose the version of the file you want to retrieve and click Copy if you want to save it to some directory of your own, or Restore if you want to replace existing, encrypted file. If you want to see the content of file first, just click Open.

b) Shadow Explorer It is a program that can be found online for free. You can download either a full or a portable version of Shadow Explorer. Open the program. On the left top corner select the drive where the file you are looking for is a stored. You will see all folders on that drive. To retrieve a whole folder, right-click on it and select “Export”. Then choose where you want it to be stored.

Step 4. Use Data Recovery programs to recover Boot Extension Virus encrypted files

There are several data recovery programs that might recover encrypted files as well. This does not work in all cases but you can try this:

• We suggest using another PC and connect the infected hard drive as slave. It is still possible to do this on infected PC though.
• Download a data recovery program.
• Install and scan for recently deleted files.

Note: In many cases it is impossible to restore data files affected by modern ransomware. Thus I recommend using decent cloud backup software as precaution. We recommend checking out Carbonite, BackBlaze, CrashPlan or Mozy Home.