Karma Ransomware Removal Guide

Even though Karma Ransomware is quite a new ransomware infection, it is very likely that it is no longer active because its Command and Control (C&C) servers are down. Of course, it could have already infected a number of users during this short period of time. Users quickly find out that they have allowed a ransomware infection to enter their computers because they could no longer access any of their files. There is no doubt that you have already found a ransom note left by this infection too. Notes ransomware infections leave for users usually contain information about the size of the ransom that has to be paid to get the tool for unlocking files. If the one left by Karma Ransomware has this information too, you should ignore this message because it is definitely not worth paying money to cyber criminals. It is very likely that it will be impossible to unlock files using alternative tools because Karma Ransomware uses the strong encryption algorithm called AES to cipher the key, but, of course, the removal of this ransomware infection is still a must because it will keep launching until you delete it fully. It is capable of doing that because it creates a task in %WINDIR%\System32\Tasks.

Karma Ransomware enters computers illegally and then immediately encrypts pictures, images, documents, music, and other files. To be honest, it targets hundreds of different file formats, so it is very likely that you will find all your files locked after the entrance of this infection. These files will have a filename extension .karma appended to all of them. This threat will place two new files on Desktop right after the encryption of users’ files too: # DECRYPT MY FILES #.html and # DECRYPT MY FILES #.txt. These files should contain a ransom note. It might be very true that you will be asked to pay a ransom. There is no point in transferring money because the servers of Karma Ransomware have already been shut down, and it is very likely that nobody will send you the decryptor after making a payment. Of course, it might be very true that you have encountered a fixed version of this threat if you are reading this article after some time of its publication. Do not send money to cyber crooks in this case too because you might not get anything from them. Also, it means that they will never stop developing malicious software.

Even though Karma Ransomware encrypts files just like other ransomware infections released some time ago, it differs from them in one sense. It has been found that it pretends to be a Windows-TuneUp application so that more people would download it and thus infect their computers. Karma Ransomware even opens a window of this application when it is inside the system and then starts encrypting users’ files. Unfortunately, it applies quite many modifications. To be more specific, it creates two new registry keys and two Values in the Run registry key. Also, you will find two new files on Desktop. Last but not least, it will create a task so that it could automatically launch after it is closed or the computer is restarted.

According to researchers at 411-spyware.com, Karma Ransomware is distributed as a useful application Windows-TuneUp. It is spread by a software monetization company. In other words, it usually travels in software bundles. People do not even realize that they are offered to install this ransomware infection, so they agree to install the PC optimization software Windows-TuneUp fearlessly. This is their main mistake. We have to admit that it is not always easy to prevent untrustworthy applications from entering systems. Therefore, we suggest installing an automatic security tool too as soon as possible.

Do not postpone the deletion of Karma Ransomware because this infection will keep working in the background and might lock new files too. Unfortunately, it will not be very easy to get rid of it. According to our specialists, you should definitely follow the step-by-step manual removal guide if it is the first time you are going to erase a ransomware infection. If removing threats manually is way too hard for you, use SpyHunter. One scan with this software and all the infections will be erased from the system.

Remove Karma Ransomware manually

1. Tap Win+E.
2. Open %USERPROFILE%\Desktop.
3. Delete # DECRYPT MY FILES #.html and # DECRYPT MY FILES #.txt.
4. Go to %WINDIR%\System32\Tasks.
5. Remove the task pchelper.
6. Close Explorer and launch RUN (Win+R).
7. Enter regedit.exe and click OK.
8. Right-click on HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Windows-TuneUp and select Delete.
9. Right-click on HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\pchelper and then delete it.
10. Move to HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.
11. Find the Value Saffron with the Value data "%Desktop%\\# DECRYPT MY FILES #.html".
12. Right-click on it and select Delete.
13. Remove the Value Safron having data "%Desktop%\\# DECRYPT MY FILES #.txt" as well.
14. Close the Registry Editor.
15. Empty the Recycle bin and reboot your PC.