Unikey Ransomware Removal Guide

Unikey Ransomware is a highly malicious infection in the making. It is still a test version but can encrypt some of your files with a unique AES algorithm, thus, ruining them. It does not demand a ransom as the ransom note contains no information on how to pay it. Thus, your files can remain encrypted indefinitely. It is necessary to protect your PC from the likes of this program as they can infect your PC when you expect them the least. Given that you cannot pay the ransom, the obvious solution is to remove this ransomware either manually or with an antimalware application. Please continue reading to learn more.

We believe that Unikey Ransomware uses an AES encryption algorithm because many of its predecessors also used it. This program belongs to the Hidden-Tear ransomware family that also includes Resurrection Ransomware, Decryption Assistant Ransomware, and Kill Zorro Ransomware, among others. The ransomware generates a public encryption and private decryption keys, but the decryption key is not stored locally. It is sent to a server and stored. This ransomware targets many files with a particular focus on files containing personal information such as pictures, video and audio files, as well as documents because you may be inclined to pay the ransom that way. However, we have observed that the current version of Unikey Ransomware is for testing purposes as it encrypts files located in %USERPROFILE%\Desktop which means that it encrypts files on the desktop only. While encrypting the files, this ransomware appends them with a unique ".locked" file extension.

Once the encryption is complete, this ransomware drops a ransom note called "READ_IT.txt." However, while it is technically a ransom note stating “Send me some bitcoins or kebab” it does not provide the victims with the means to pay it. All that is given is that the ransomware is has to be paid in Bitcoins. However, the note does not provide an email address for contacting the cyber criminals or feature a Bitcoin wallet address to send the ransom to. It is clear that this program is highly malicious and it would be better just to avoid it, so let us see how it is distributed.

We think that Unikey Ransomware should be distributed like the rest of the ransomware in its family. We think that its creators use malicious emails that pose as legitimate to have this ransomware infect you PC. The ransomware’s executable file is attached to the email and may pose as some kind of document. If you fall for its deception and open the file, then your PC will become infected with this ransomware. Therefore, you should be careful and use cautions when handling emails from unknown email addresses that have strange addresses. The address from which the emails are sent is unknown. In fact, there may be several addresses sending this ransomware.

To summarize, Unikey Ransomware is a potentially dangerous application because it uses a strong encryption algorithm for file encryption. The good news is that it is still not finished and its test version is capable of encrypting your files located on the desktop only. Due to the fact that you cannot decrypt your files, the only logical solution is to remove this ransomware either manually or using and antimalware program. We recommend using SpyHunter as it is a powerful tool, more than capable of dealing with this particular infection.

How to delete this ransomware

1. Hold down Win+E keys.
2. Type the following file paths in the address box and press Enter.
   • %TEMP%
   • %USERPROFILE\Downloads
   • %USERPROFILE\Desktop
3. Find the randomly-named executable.
4. Right-click it and click Delete.
5. Empty the Recycle Bin.