What is Dharma Ransomware & .wallet Decryption
What is Dharma Ransomware: A Complete Guide
Technology is getting advance nowadays. With this advancement, users have to deal with a different kind of virus. Dharma Ransomware belongs to the same category. It is, basically an encryption Ransomware Trojan, which extorts the computer users. There have been many systems that have been infected by Dharma Ransomware. It encrypts the stored files with the help of asymmetric cryptography. This article describes what is Dharma Ransomware & solution to deal with Dharma Ransomware.
Know What is Dharma Ransomware
The Dharma Ransomware generally targets only the directories that are inside the users’ directory on Windows. This Ransomware appends the extension, such as[bitcoin143@india.com].dharma”,”[mkgoro@india.com].xtbl”,”.[fire.show@aol.com].wallet”, “.[Mkliukang@india.com].wallet” or .[lavandos@dr.com].wallet to the files, which are encrypted. For instance, if a file name is “file.jpg”, once the Dharma Ransomware attacks the file name will be changed to “file.jpg.[bitcoin143@india.com].dharma. Dharma does not change the background of the desktop, but it creates a text file namely (“README.txt” or “Document.txt.[amagnus@india.com].zzzzz”) and places it in each folder that contains the compromised file. Sometimes the variants of Dharma Ransomware do not have a ransom note.
Related Post– How to Prevent Petya Ransomware Attack
However, this Ransomware does not affect the working of a computer system, but whenever, a file is added to the targeted directories it will be encrypted. This can only be prevented only if the Dharma Ransomware infection is removed. In the following section, we will discuss, how this Ransomware affects the computer. We will also, learn some methods of Dharma Ransomware removal.
Some More Information of Dharma Ransomware
The Dharma Ransomware may change its name. In some of the computers, it is reported that the file that spread this Ransomware may be named as “skanda.exe” depending upon the variant being used in the attack. The encrypted file cannot be read by the victim’s applications until the decryption process. To decrypt the affected files, the knowledge of the decryption key is essential. Decryption key is the key, which will be held by the people responsible for the Dharma Ransomware till the payment of the ransom. Some variants of the Dharma Ransomware include a ransom note, which is contained in a text file namely ‘README.txt. This file delivers the message as mentioned below:
“ATTENTION!
At the moment, your system is not protected…”
How Dharma Ransomware Works
After Understanding What is Dharma Ransomware, let us know how it works. This Ransomware as analyzed by PC security analysts is one of the variants of Crysis Ransomware. The variants of this malicious Ransomware distributed with the help of attachments of emails. This makes the device or computer vulnerable. It is also possible that the incomplete Dharma Ransomware, which is still in the development stage, often does not have ransom notes or other functions of these attacks. The Dharma Ransomware uses AES-256 encryption and overtakes the data of the victim. This makes it difficult for users to access their files.
The Dharma Ransomware basically attacks these directories as mentioned below:
- %UserProfile%\Desktop
- %UserProfile%\Videos
- %UserProfile%\Pictures
- %UserProfile%\Documents
- %UserProfile%\Downloads
- %UserProfile%\Music
How to Deal with Dharma Ransomware
The Dharma Ransomware decryptor is commonly used to decrypt the files that are infected from Dharma Ransomware. However, it is likely that the developers of Dharma Ransomware will ask the victim for more ransom or it may be possible that they simply ignore the request of the victim. There are some solutions to fight against this harmful Ransomware as mentioned below:
Creating Backup of Data
This is one of the best solutions to get rid of the Dharma Ransomware without any ransom. Users need to create the backup of all the files. This establishment of the backup will help the users to have all the infected files back from that created backup without any ransom. Moreover, if users developed a habit of the creating backup of the files this Ransomware will lose their meaning.
Proper Handling of Email Attachments
PC analysts advise for the proper handling of email attachments. This can also prevent the system from the Dharma Ransomware. As a matter of fact, this virus can be spread via corrupted email attachments.
Start Windows in Safe Mode and Remove Dharma
When you try to access a file and that file cannot be open. Then, in this case, you must try this trick. You can run your Windows in safe mode. This may resolve this issue for the time being. To run the Windows in safe mode follow these mentioned steps:
Step 1: For Safe Mode
For Windows 7Windows 7 / Vista / XP
Firstly, click on Start>> Shutdown>>Restart>>OK
Once the system becomes active, start pressing F8 until you see the “Advance Boot Options”
Now, you need to select “Safe Mode with Networking”
For Windows 10 / Windows 8
For this, you need to Press the “Power” button at the Windows login screen.
Now press and hold the key of “Shift”, which is on your keyboard, and click on “Restart”.
Now select “Troubleshoot”, then, “Advanced options”, “Startup Settings” and finally press “Restart”.
Once your computer becomes active, select the option of “Enable Safe Mode with Networking in Startup Settings window”.
Step 2: Remove Dharma
Log in to the infected account and then, start the browser.
Download any legitimate anti-spyware program.
Then update it and remove corrupted that belong to your Ransomware. This will complete the process of Dharma removal.
Conclusion
After understanding that what is Dharma Ransomware we have learned, that Prevention is the best solution to get rid of this Dharma Ransomware. This Dharma Ransomware can affect the system in a very bad manner. So, users can follow these given methods for the resolution.