Dot Ransomware Removal Guide

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Category: Trojans

Do you know why more and more ransomware threats are emerging these days? It has never been easier to create it. Dot Ransomware is an umbrella name for all malicious infections created using the Ransomware-as-a-Service known as Dot-Ransomware. Anyone who knows how to use a CLI-based builder can create their own malicious ransomware infection, and so it is likely that more threats using the same interface will be showing up. The builder was created at the end of February of 2017, and it connects to an IP address located in Sweden. As long as this service is available, new versions of the same ransomware can be created. The worst part is that the process is fairly simple, and it takes only 5 minutes for a new threat to emerge. The ransomware builder has a menu and a text guide (“Setup Guide.txt”) to assist its users. Once the infection is fully formed, all its creator has to do is distribute it. According to our research, spam emails, software cracks, instant messaging, and other security backdoors can be used to infiltrate the infection. If it is executed, it might be already too late to delete Dot Ransomware.

Also known as Unlock26 ransomware, Dot Ransomware can have many different versions, but they do not work completely differently. What the different ransomware builders can personalize are the ransom fee and the targeted files. Other than that, everything is pre-built already. The creator of the Ransomware-as-a-Service has made things easy because a 50% cut off the ransom fee is expected. If the victim of the infection is pushed into paying the ransom, Dot Ransomware automatically sends 50% to its creator’s Bitcoin Address. Unfortunately, it is likely that at least some victims of this infection will succumb to the demands because the ransomware can encrypt personal files. Out of hundreds of file types that this infection encrypts, JPG, DOC, PDF, TXT, AVI, and MP4 are few of the most significant ones. While no one is likely to be upset about files that are not significant or that can be easily replaced, personal files, including photos, media files, and documents, are likely to be of much greater value. If you cannot recover them yourself, you are likely to pay attention to the ransom demands. Note that if you have set up a system restore point, your files will remain encrypted because Dot Ransomware deletes shadow volume copies using a special command (“vssadmin delete shadows /all /quiet”).

The ransom note file is created by Dot Ransomware right away, and its name might be adjusted according to your geographical location. All in all, you have to look for a file named ReadMe-*.html (the asterisk stands for random characters). By the way, the extension attached to the encrypted files is likely to have the same random characters as those in the ReadMe-*.html file. The extension that Dot Ransomware adds is “.locked-*”. This ransom file opens a web page that informs about the encryption of your files and orders to follow instructions, which, of course, include paying a ransom fee. What happens if you pay the ransom? It is possible that you will be provided with a decryption tool, key, or password that you need to unlock your files. Unfortunately, a different kind of scenario has to be taken into consideration as well, and that is that you will be screwed. Please consider the possibility that you will lose your files and your money by paying the ransom.

Do you know how to remove Dot Ransomware from your operating system? The most important thing is to identify the launcher file. If you cannot find it yourself, do not just delete random files that look suspicious because you might end up doing more harm than good. Instead, utilize an anti-malware app to scan your operating system and remove the uncovered threats. Another reason to use this software is the protection is can provide you with, and you clearly need it because a malicious ransomware has managed to slip in. Whether you choose to install anti-malware software or you remove the infection manually, one more thing you have to do is research file backup tools. If you have managed to restore your files, you have to back them up to ensure that you do not put them at risk in the future. If your files were lost due to the invasion of Dot Ransomware, you need to start taking care of new files.

How to delete Dot Ransomware

  1. Simultaneously tap Ctrl+Shift+Esc to access Task Manager.
  2. Move to Processes and identify a malicious process.
  3. Select the process and click End task/End process. Exit Task Manager.
  4. Next, tap Win+E keys to launch Windows Explorer.
  5. Enter the paths listed below one by one into the Explorer's bar at the top to look for the malicious .exefile.
    • %USERPROFILE%\Documents
    • %USERPROFILE%\Downloads
    • %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
  6. Right-click and Delete the {random name}.exe file.
  7. Perform a full system scan to check if your operating system is clean.

N.B. If you cannot find the malicious {random name}.exe file, use a legitimate malware scanner or, better yet, a legitimate anti-malware tool to detect it.

Download Remover for Dot Ransomware *
*SpyHunter scanner, published on this site, is intended to be used only as a detection tool. To use the removal functionality, you will need to purchase the full version of SpyHunter.

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