[bannerTop]
In this article we are going to try and help you remove .Karma File Ransomware Virus. Our instructions cover all Windows versions.
You have probably already heard about the increasing danger of Ransomware viruses. Each newer version seems to be more evolved and dangerous than the previous one. Every day, an increasing number of users are falling prey to this malicious type of malware. Ransomware viruses are known for their devious approach and methods they use. Instead of attacking your system directly, they simply encrypt your files, thus making you unable to open them. Then, you’d need to pay ransom if you want to receive the key for the encryption. This particular article has been written with the purpose of providing our readers with detailed information concerning one of the newest Ransomware viruses. This new threat is known under the name of .Karma and here we will explain to you how it works, what the most common symptoms are and what you need to do in order to protect your PC from any future Ransomware infections.
How these viruses work
As we already said above, Ransomware works quite differently in comparison to other, more common forms of malware. Due to the fact that these viruses use encryption, they often remain fully undetected by many security programs. This is because encryption processes are not actually something malicious. In fact, this method is commonly used as a form of file protection by many legitimate programs. Most antivirus programs allow such processes to be carried out on your PC, since they are not considered harmful. However, Ransomware would use this method on your personal files and once it has finished, you’d be unable to access them unless you have a specific key on your PC. Obviously, to acquire the key, the user is supposed to pay a certain amount of money to the hacker. Instructions on how to do that are provided within a message that pops-up once .Karma has finished its job and locked all targeted files.
Are there any symptoms of the infection?
Ransomware viruses are really sneaky and difficult to notice. However, there is a way to spot them even if your antivirus program is unable to do that for you. This is why it is of utmost importance that you pay close attention to your machine’s behavior at all times. You must be able to sense when something is not quite right. The usual symptoms of a Ransomware infection (during the encryption period) are high CPU and RAM consumption in combination with less HDD space than you should actually have. This all comes from the specific way the encryption process works. For your files to be locked by it, they first need to be copied. The copies are actually the files that have an encryption on them. This is why free hard drive space is used during the process. Once this stage has been completed, the original data is deleted and the only files left are the copies that have been locked by the Ransomware encryption. If you manage to notice the signs of the infection in time or if you suspect that .Karma is currently encrypting your data, make sure to immediately fully shut down your machine and then call for professional support. That way, you might be able to save at least some of your data from being locked by .Karma.
The ransom demand
If the ransom demand is not too big and if you can spare the money, then you are probably thinking “Why not simply pay the hacker?”. As tempting as it might sound to just get it over with, you must know that this is actually a very bad idea. First of all, the payment currency in which the money is usually demanded is bitcoins. The reason for this is because bitcoins are very difficult to trace and that way hackers have no fear of getting tracked down and caught. Secondly, there’s nothing to guarantee that you won’t be simply throwing away your money by paying the cyber-criminal since nothing obliges the latter to send you they decryption key. Last but not least, the only certain effect that paying the ransom would have is to further encourage the usage of Ransomware viruses for blackmailing more and more people. What we would advise you instead is to go ahead and try out our Ransomware removal guide. You can find it below this article. Still, bear in mind that the instructions there might or might not be able to solve everything depending on a lot of factors. However, it is still a better and a much safer alternative that will cost you nothing.
A couple of protection tips
Here is our short list of rules on how to defend your machine from any potential Ransomware attacks in the future.
- Prevent your browser from automatically downloading files and set it to always ask for your permission before a file is downloaded on your system.
- Steer clear of sites that have sketchy contents or ones that are (or might be) illegal.
- If you receive an e-mail or some other online message that looks suspicious or is spam, eliminate it without opening it or interacting with its content.
- Never open files (especially executables) if you are not one hundred percent sure that they are safe.
- Get all your important data backed up. It’s even better if you have several different backup locations.
- Make sure that your PC is provided with the best possible software protection. A high-quality antivirus will help you fend off backdoor viruses that are often used for infecting computers with Ransomware such as .Karma.
.Karma File Ransomware Virus Removal
# 1
[bannerMiddle]
Enter Windows Safe mode.
- Win 7 Users: Restart your PC –> keep on clicking F8 –> In the subsequent Menu select Safe Mode with Networking.
- Win 8 Users: Start Button –> Control Panel –> System and Security –> Administrative Tools –> System Configuration –> In the subsequent Menu select Safe Boot –>
- Win 10 users: Start Menu –> Power Options Menu –> Hold down the SHIFT button while clicking on Restart –> Troubleshoot –> Advanced Options –> Startup Settings –> Restart –> In the subsequent Menu select Safe Mode with Networking.
# 2
Open Task Manager and locate any processes associated with .Karma.
- Press CTRL + SHIFT + ESC keys simultaneously –> Processes Tab –> Select a suspicious process (use Google or ask us in the comments if you are not sure about a process) –> Right Click and Open File Location –> End the suspicious process in Task Manager –> Delete the Folders containing the suspicious files.
# 3
Open the Registry Editor and search for .Karma.
- Win 7 Users: Click Start and type regedit –> Enter –> Press CTRL + F buttons –> Type Cryp1 Virus in the search field.
- Win 8/10 users: Start Button –> Choose Run –> type regedit –> Enter Press CTRL + F buttons –> Type .Karma in the search field.
# 4
Try to recover your files. First you will need System Restore.
- Win 7 Users: Start button –> Type Windows System Restore –> Enter –> Open System Restore –> Select a Restore Point and revert to it.
- Win 8 Users: Hold down the Windows key + Q –> Type Recovery –> Settings –> Choose the Recovery icon –> Open System Restore –> Select a Restore Point.
- Win 10 Users: Start Menu –> Power Options Menu –> Hold down the SHIFT button while clicking on Restart –> Troubleshoot –> Advanced Options –> System Restore –> Select a Restore Point and apply it.
Secondly use program that can access your Shadow Copies.
[bannerMiddleSecond]
- Use Google to find the official website of such a program and download it.
- Use the program to select the file types and the hard drive locations you want the program to scan for.
- Start the scan and keep in mind that it might take a while.
- Once the scan has been completed just select the files you want to be recovered.
If you have questions or suggestions feel free to use our comments section!