If your personal files were encrypted, it is possible that Karl Ransomware is to blame for that. It is easiest to determine whether or not this is the threat that got in by checking your personal files. If this malware is responsible for making them unreadable, you should find the “.karl” extension attached to their names. In fact, the infection is named after this extension because it is a clone of Kuub Ransomware, Seto Ransomware, Kvag Ransomware, Moka Ransomware, and other STOP Ransomware threats. They are all identical, but the extensions they attach are unique. Were these infections created by the same people? Most likely, they were, and truth be told, it is easy for cybercriminals to build new infections when they are using a tried and tested malware code. Needless to say, all infections built using this code require removal, but we focus on deleting Karl Ransomware in this report. Continue reading if you are interested, and do not forget to leave a comment below if you have questions.
We cannot say how Karl Ransomware entered your operating system, but if we had to guess, we would say that maybe you opened a corrupted spam email attachment or left your system vulnerable due to an exposed remote access vulnerability? Ultimately, it is most likely that you failed to secure your system, and that is why Karl Ransomware got in. When ransomware encrypts files, it uses a complex algorithm to scramble the data within the files. In theory, it should be possible to restore the files, but it is all in the hands of cybercriminals. Once files are encrypted, a file named “_readme.txt” is created. It opens a message that suggests that “photos, databases, documents and other important” files can be restored with a “decrypt tool and unique key.” Again, in theory, you should be able to restore your files using a decryptor, but that is unlikely to be your reality. If you pay $980 (if you pay in three days, the sum is $490) for the decryptor, you are likely to waste your money completely.
Before you can even consider paying the ransom, you are meant to send a unique ID code to the attackers at gorentos@bitmessage.ch and gerentoshelp@firemail.cc. These two email addresses have been linked to all of the aforementioned infections and a ton of others, which suggests that we are dealing with the same attacker(s). If you initiate communication with the attackers, you could be opening a Pandora’s Box because it is impossible to say how the attackers would respond. Of course, at first, they would try to convince you to pay the ransom, but later on, they could try to scam you again and again. This is why we hope that you have backups of your personal files. If you store them online or on external drives, you will always have a Plan B if the files stored on your computer are encrypted, deleted, or stolen along with your device. If backups do not exist, you might be more willing to consider the option suggested by the creator of Karl Ransomware. You should not. At least try to employ a free decryptor first. According to our team, a free decryptor was constructed by researchers, but it is not capable of guaranteeing complete recovery of all encrypted files.
If you have the desire to remove Karl Ransomware manually, you need to find the file that launched the threat. We cannot know where it exists on your operating system, and so we cannot help you with identifying it. Needless to say, if you cannot complete the first step in the manual removal guide below, there is no point in trying to delete the remaining components yourself. What you should do instead is install a trustworthy anti-malware program that could clear your operating system automatically. Once the tool is done eliminating dangerous infections, it will continue serving in a beneficial manner as it will continue protecting your operating system against new invaders. Of course, you have to make sure that the software is updated; otherwise, it will not be fully efficient. Another thing you must do is create backups of all of your personal files. If you skip this and a malicious threat attacks again, you could end up losing personal files for good.