Covm Ransomware Removal Guide

Files affected by a malicious file-encrypting threat known as Covm Ransomware should have an extension called .covm. If you see this extension on your files, it is likely that you will not be able to open them. The malware encrypts data with a secure encryption algorithm. Thus, the only way to open it is to decrypt it first. The bad news is that the needed decryption tools might be impossible to obtain as hackers behind the malware offer them in exchange for money. There are no guarantees that the cybercriminals will deliver the promised tools, so paying a ransom is risky. If you want to learn more about this malware, we invite you to read our full report. At the end of it, you can find our deletion instructions that show how users might be able to erase Covm Ransomware manually. Of course, a safer way to get rid of such a threat would be to use a reliable antimalware tool.

Covm Ransomware could be spread through malicious email attachments or installers distributed via unreliable file-sharing websites. Thus, our researchers advise staying away from questionable data if you do not want to launch malicious files unknowingly. Instead, we recommend opening data only if it comes from reliable sources. Of course, hackers can write convincing emails as well as use email addresses that resemble email addresses of various reputable organizations. Therefore, you have to be attentive to identify potentially dangerous content. We recommend being extra cautious with emails that could be written in a way to scare you into doing something or are coming from unknown senders. As for files downloaded from the Internet, we advise scanning them with a reliable antimalware tool before you launch them to learn if they are dangerous before opening them. If a file is identified as malicious, your antimalware tool should help you get rid of it.

This malicious application comes from the Stop Ransomware family, which means it is a variant of many similar threats that have been created before it. Like most of them, the threat targets personal files. To be more precise, it encrypts pictures, various documents, and data alike, but leaves program files and files belonging to the operating system alone. Therefore, the system should still work after the encryption process, but you might not be able to open any personal files that got encrypted by the malicious application. Another thing that should be noticed after the encryption process is the malware’s ransom note that it could place on your Desktop and other directories that contain encrypted files. According to Covm Ransomware’s note, the threat’s creators have the decryption tools that could restore all of the malware’s enciphered files. However, the note should stress that users have to pay to receive them and that they can get them for half the price if they contact the hackers within 72 hours.

We do not think it would be wise to pay the ransom because there are no guarantees that you will get the needed decryption tools. In other words, the malware’s creators might not deliver them even though they promise to do so. If they do not, your money could be lost in vain. If you do not want to risk your savings, we advise looking for other ways to get your data back, for example, you could replace encrypted files with backup copies. Needless to say, before transferring your backup files or creating new data, it would be safe to delete Covm Ransomware first. If you do not erase it, the malware could restart with the operating system the next time you restart your device and encrypt new data. To remove Covm Ransomware manually, you could use the instructions located below. If the process seems too challenging, we recommend using a reliable antimalware tool that could eliminate the threat.

Get rid of Covm Ransomware

1. Tap Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
2. Pick Task Manager.
3. Select the Processes tab.
4. Look for a process associated with the malware.
5. Select the process and click End Task.
6. Leave Task Manager.
7. Tap Win+E.
8. Go to these locations:
   %TEMP%
   %USERPROFILE%\Downloads
   %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
9. Find the malicious file opened before the system got infected, right-click it, and select Delete.
10. Search for files named _readme.txt and PersonalID.txt, right-click them, and select Delete.
11. Check these locations:
    %LOCALAPPDATA%
    %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data
12. Find the malware’s created folders with random names, e.g., 0215171b-ba55-7xal-a49s-c2fk4162159c, right-click them, and choose Delete.
13. Navigate to this location: %WINDIR%\System32\Tasks
14. Find a task titled Time Trigger Task, right-click it, and select Delete.
15. Close File Explorer.
16. Tap Win+R.
17. Type Regedit and click Enter.
18. Go to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
19. Identify the malware’s created value name, e.g., SysHelper, right-click this value name, and press Delete.
20. Close Registry Editor.
21. Empty Recycle Bin.
22. Restart the computer.