Leto Ransomware - How to remove

The newest file-locking virus from the developers of Djvu is called Leto and it might trick people by pretending to run as a Windows update. This ransomware is uploaded online as random files that can be downloaded by anyone. And when it runs, this virus quickly locks many of the files on your drive, making them unopenable.

Leto spreads online

The ransomware spreads among pirates especially, but anyone is vulnerable. Files infected with Leto might be torrented, downloaded from a forum, might even be shared by a trustworthy person. Programs downloaded from fake websites can also spread the ransomware. Infected ones might be caught by an antivirus scan, Leto is recognized by most competent security programs, but new viruses are not always quickly caught.

This is different from most ransomware nowadays, which is downloaded by infected documents that are sent out in malicious spam emails. For example, Emotet spreads this way. Then there is Remote Desktop hacking, which is mostly used in targeted attacks – criminals get access to a computer that was using RDP without securing it properly.

But Leto’s targets are individual people and small businesses who might not use RDP or expect urgent emails. Unfortunately, this family of ransomware seems quite successful and many victims come out regularly, hoping for a solution to their lost files.

Leto follows after other Djvu infections, like Bora, Xoza, and Reco. None of these infections have a free and complete solution to unlocking the encrypted files.

Features of Leto and how to deal with this ransomware, in short:

Leto infection symptoms	Files renamed to have “.leto” suffixes _readme.txt files present in many folders An old-fashioned Windows Update window might be used by Leto to distract you while it’s running
Important things to protect yourself against ransomware attacks	Set up 2-step verification for important online accounts Install security patches for your software when they’re released Scan every downloaded file before running it Backup your files
Removing the malware	Fix the hosts file Stop malicious processes Use an antivirus program (SpyHunter) to remove Leto and other malware
Restoring the files	Recover the files from a backup storage device Use system restore and shadow volume copies to revert the changes made by Leto Use a data recovery program Wait for a free decrypter

 

The text of the _readme.txt file:

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:
hxxps://we.tl/t-9POwROFXcM
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:
[random]

Can Leto files be restored

Files encrypted by Leto are renamed to include “.leto” at the end of each name. Even if you try to remove this extension, most files are still broken because portions of their data were scrambled using an encryption algorithm. Leto is fast, os you’re unlikely to catch it before it does most of the damage.

The ransomware creators try to tell you that “you can return all your files” if only you pay either $490 or $980 for a decrypter (this message is in the _readme.txt files that appear in some of your folders after the ransomware is done running). They give their email addresses – [email protected] and [email protected] – and press you to hurry and contact them. If you do, you’re given further details on how to pay. Some people manage to get a working decrypter, though technical difficulties do get in the way of a quick solution. Other people are ignored after they send the money, or robbed before they can even pay. So, know that paying for a decrypter is extremely risky and expensive.

But, in theory, it is possible to get your files back. Leto is a file-encrypting virus and encryption is reversible, as long as you have the decryption key. Leto probably runs through your files multiple times, encrypting a portion of them each run, so you most likely need a few different decryption keys to get all of your files back. The problem is that the creators of Leto are the only ones who have the decryption keys (with one exception). There are other ways to restore lost data, such as shadow volume copies (that the ransomware probably deleted) or data recovery (if you use a hard disk). But the best way to get your files back is just to restore from a backup, if you have one.

Dealing with Leto ransomware

There are other problems with Leto, like the fact that it might have installed a password-stealing trojan on your system. It’s called Azorult and it can extract passwords saved on your system, as well as download more malware in the background. This is why you absolutely mustn’t use the infected computer for anything important, like online banking. Also, make sure that you have 2-step verification on your important email, shopping, social media, and other accounts because the criminals might try to hack them later. Also, Leto must have edited your hosts file to block cybersecurity websites.

Before you try to fix your files, it can be helpful to make sure that all malware is gone from your system, especially the ransomware – you don’t want it to continue to encrypt newly created files. You can use Safe Mode and a strong antivirus program, like Spyhunter or another trusted application, to remove Leto.

Also, you can make a backup of the encrypted .leto files (they’re safe) if you want to wait for a decryption option, like the criminals having a change of heart and releasing decryption master keys. Then there’s the continuing effort by cybersecurity researchers to help the victims of this ransomware. They might discover the offline key for Leto, if one exists, which is used in the cases when the virus can’t contact the server of the criminals and might reverse the encryption on a few of your files.

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 Leto 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 Leto Ransomware has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of Leto 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 Leto Ransomware. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore Leto 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 Leto 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 Leto 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.