In-Development Ransomware - How to remove

In-Development ransomware is a new ransomware virus detected, which pretends to be a Click Me Game. It was discovered just two days ago, on the 18th of October, 2016, by a cyber security researcher at GData Karsten Hahn. As its name speaks for itself, this crypo-locker is still in development. Thus, it lacks some of the features of developed ransomware viruses. Moreover, it may acquire specific features over time. For the time being, we will introduce you with what has already been found out about In-Development crypto malware. Even though, these hackers took a brake and stopped distributing the ransomware, there are no guarantees that this malicious program will not continue to be spread via infected spam e-mails in the future.

How is Data Encryption by In-Development Ransomware Achieved?

When the program of In-Development ransomware is started, a Click Me Game is launched. The victim is opened a window, containing a Click Me button.

In order to click on the button, the targeted user need to put some effort in customizing the mouse cursor in the way it appeared on the button, and it would be possible to right-click it. It is a chasing game. Once the Click Me button has been clicked, another background screen is opened and the chase is started over. While, on the quiet, the ransomware is performing data encryption. In-Development crypto virus encrypts only the data file stored on D:/ransom-flag.png:

// Token: 0x06000007 RID: 7 RVA: 0x00002439 File Offset: 0x00000639
public void DoJob()
{
this.Encrypt_file(“D:ransom-flag.png”);
}

It appends .hacked extension. When the specific data file has been locked, In-Development file-encrypting malware will display the ransom note:

As you can see, the note encloses an image of Anonymous. Though, there has not been a connection of the hackers of In-Development with the group of Anonymous identified. An interesting thing about the ransom message is that it is written in Farsi – the most widely spoken branch of the Persian language. It translates as follows:

Alright my dear brother!!!
Enough free playing. Your files have been encrypted. Pay so much this much money so I can send you the password for your files.
I can be paid this much too cause I am very kind.
So move on I didn’t raise the price.

As you can observe, the text is written in poor language. There is no contact e-mail provided, no exact sum of the ransom indicated, and no payment instructions are given as well. This proves that In-Development encoder is still in its developmental phase. On the other hand, it is a positive thing either, since no victim was virtually able to contact these cyber crooks and give one’s money away, thus, encouraging future attacks.

How to Decrypt the File Encrypted by In-Development Ransomware?

Just as In-Development encrypter is currently under development, the decryption tools have not been created yet as well. Luckily, the damage brought on by this encrypting malware is still relatively small. You can invoke your backup in the form of system restore or removable devices. If you do really need to decrypt the file, you can always employ professional data recovery software (e.g. Recuva, PhotoRec, etc.).

How to Remove In-Developmental Ransomware?

To remove In-Developmental cryptomalware apply Spyhunter or Malwarebytes malware removal software. Though, it is very unlikely that in this stage the ransomware will try to block any of the anti-malware applications enumerated, you might need to reboot your PC in the safe mode, if it actually does this. You can also make an attempt to remove the malware manually. Despite the fact that In-Development ransomware cannot amount to such elaborate ransomware viruses as CryptXXX is, for instance, it can still be a little challenging to remove it from your computer. In any case, the manual removal instructions are available below.

How to recover In-Development Ransomware 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 In-Development Ransomware has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of In-Development Ransomware

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 In-Development Ransomware. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore In-Development Ransomware 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 In-Development Ransomware 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 In-Development Ransomware 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.