BLACKDREAM Virus 🔐 (.BLACKDREAM Files) — How to Remove?

Written by Brendan Smith

The Blackdream virus belongs with the ransomware type of infection. A harmful program of such sort encrypts all user’s data on the PC (photos, text files, excel tables, audio files, videos, etc) and appends its extra extension to every file, leaving the ReadME-Decrypt.txt text files in every folder containing encrypted files.

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Blackdream virus: what is known so far?

The pattern of renaming is this: [idxxxxx].[contact-email].BlackDream. As a part of encryption, a file entitled, for instance, “report.docx” will be turned into “report.docx.[9ECFA84E].[Blackdream01@zohomail.eu].BlackDream”.

In every directory that contains the encoded files, a ReadME-Decrypt.txt file will be found. It is a ransom money note. It contains information about the ways of paying the ransom and some other information. The ransom note most probably contains instructions on how to purchase the decryption tool from the ransomware developers. You can get this decrypting software after contacting Blackdream01@zohomail.eu through email. That is pretty much the scheme of the felony.

Blackdream Summary:

NameBlackdream Virus
Extension.BlackDream
Ransomware noteReadME-Decrypt.txt
ContactBlackdream01@zohomail.eu
DetectionRansom:Win32/Stopcrypt.YAG!MTB, Win32/Agent_AGen.CQD, Trojan:Win32/CryptRan.SA!MTB
SymptomsYour files (photos, videos, documents) get a .BlackDream extension and you can’t open them.
Fix ToolSee If Your System Has Been Affected by Blackdream virus

The ReadME-Decrypt.txt file accompanying the Blackdream malware provides the following discouraging information:

Your system has been encrypted by our team, and your files have been locked using our proprietary algorithm !


* Please read this message carefully and patiently *


* If you use any tools, programs, or methods to recover your files and they get damaged, we will not be responsible for any harm to your files !


* Note that your files have not been harmed in any way they have only been encrypted by our algorithm. Your files and your entire system will return to normal mode through the program we provide to you. No one but us will be able to decrypt your files !


* To gain trust in us, you can send us a maximum of 2 non-important files, and we will decrypt them for you free of charge. Please note that your files should not contain important information. Your files should be in a format that we can read, such as .txt, .pdf, .xlsx, .jpg, or any other readable format for us.


Please put your Unique ID as the title of the email or as the starting title of the conversation.


* For faster decryption, first message us on Telegram. If there is no response within 24 hours, please email us *

 

Telegram Id : @blackdream_support


Mail 1 : Blackdream01@zohomail.eu


Mail 2 : Blackdream01@skiff.com


You will receive btc address for payment in the reply letter


--------------------------------


! Important !


Please dо nоt wаstе thе timе аnd dо nоt trу to dесеive us , it will rеsult оnly priсе incrеаsе!


Plеаsе nоte that we are professionals and just doing our job !


Wе аrе alwауs оpеnеd fоr diаlоg аnd rеаdy tо hеlp уоu !
\"


UniqueID: -


Your Personal ID:-

In the image below, you can see what a folder with files encrypted by the Blackdream looks like. Each filename has the “.BlackDream” extension added to it.

Blackdream Virus - encrypted .BlackDream files

An example of encrypted .BlackDream files.

How did Blackdream ransomware end up on my PC?

There is a huge number of possible ways of ransomware infiltration.

Nowadays, there are three most popular ways for hackers to have ransomware settled in your system. These are email spam, Trojan introduction and peer file transfer.

  • If you open your inbox and see letters that look like familiar notifications from utility services companies, postal agencies like FedEx, Internet providers, and whatnot, but whose “from” field is unknown to you, beware of opening those emails. They are very likely to have a malware file enclosed in them. Thus it is even riskier to open any attachments that come with emails like these.
  • Another thing the hackers might try is a Trojan horse model. A Trojan is a program that gets into your machine pretending to be something else. For instance, you download an installer for some program you want or an update for some service. But what is unboxed reveals itself a harmful agent that encodes your data. As the installation file can have any name and any icon, you have to make sure that you can trust the source of the things you’re downloading. The optimal thing is to use the software developers’ official websites.
  • As for the peer file transfer protocols like torrent trackers or eMule, the danger is that they are even more trust-based than the rest of the Internet. You can never know what you download until you get it. Our suggestion is that you use trustworthy websites. Also, it is a good idea to scan the directory containing the downloaded items with the anti-malware utility as soon as the downloading is finished.

How do I get rid of ransomware?

It is crucial to note that besides encrypting your data, the Blackdream virus will probably install Vidar Stealer on your machine to seize your credentials to different accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). The mentioned spyware can extract your logins and passwords from your browser’s auto-filling data.

Remove Blackdream with Gridinsoft Anti-Malware

We have also been using this software on our systems ever since, and it has always been successful in detecting viruses. It has blocked the most common Ransomware as shown from our tests with the software, and we assure you that it can remove Blackdream as well as other malware hiding on your computer.

Gridinsoft Anti-Malware - Main Screen

To use Gridinsoft for remove malicious threats, follow the steps below:

1. Begin by downloading Gridinsoft Anti-Malware, accessible via the blue button below or directly from the official website gridinsoft.com.

2.Once the Gridinsoft setup file (setup-gridinsoft-fix.exe) is downloaded, execute it by clicking on the file.

setup-gridinsoft-fix.exe

3.Follow the installation setup wizard's instructions diligently.

Gridinsoft Setup Wizard

4. Access the "Scan Tab" on the application's start screen and launch a comprehensive "Full Scan" to examine your entire computer. This inclusive scan encompasses the memory, startup items, the registry, services, drivers, and all files, ensuring that it detects malware hidden in all possible locations.

Scan for Blackdream Ransomware

Be patient, as the scan duration depends on the number of files and your computer's hardware capabilities. Use this time to relax or attend to other tasks.

5. Upon completion, Anti-Malware will present a detailed report containing all the detected malicious items and threats on your PC.

The Blackdream was Found

6. Select all the identified items from the report and confidently click the "Clean Now" button. This action will safely remove the malicious files from your computer, transferring them to the secure quarantine zone of the anti-malware program to prevent any further harmful actions.

The Blackdream has been removed

8. If prompted, restart your computer to finalize the full system scan procedure. This step is crucial to ensure thorough removal of any remaining threats. After the restart, Gridinsoft Anti-Malware will open and display a message confirming the completion of the scan.

Remember Gridinsoft offers a 6-day free trial. This means you can take advantage of the trial period at no cost to experience the full benefits of the software and prevent any future malware infections on your system. Embrace this opportunity to fortify your computer's security without any financial commitment.

Trojan Killer for “Blackdream” removal on locked PC

In situations where it becomes impossible to download antivirus applications directly onto the infected computer due to malware blocking access to websites, an alternative solution is to utilize the Trojan Killer application.

Trojan Killer - Main View

There is a really little number of security tools that are able to be set up on the USB drives, and antiviruses that can do so in most cases require to obtain quite an expensive license. For this instance, I can recommend you to use another solution of GridinSoft - Trojan Killer Portable. It has a 14-days cost-free trial mode that offers the entire features of the paid version. This term will definitely be 100% enough to wipe malware out.

Trojan Killer is a valuable tool in your cybersecurity arsenal, helping you to effectively remove malware from infected computers. Now, we will walk you through the process of using Trojan Killer from a USB flash drive to scan and remove malware on an infected PC. Remember, always obtain permission to scan and remove malware from a computer that you do not own.

Step 1: Download & Install Trojan Killer on a Clean Computer:

1. Go to the official GridinSoft website (gridinsoft.com) and download Trojan Killer to a computer that is not infected.

Download Trojan Killer

2. Insert a USB flash drive into this computer.

3. Install Trojan Killer to the "removable drive" following the on-screen instructions.

Install Trojan Killer to Removable Drive

4. Once the installation is complete, launch Trojan Killer.

Step 2: Update Signature Databases:

5. After launching Trojan Killer, ensure that your computer is connected to the Internet.

6. Click "Update" icon to download the latest signature databases, which will ensure the tool can detect the most recent threats.

Click Update Button

Step 3: Scan the Infected PC:

7. Safely eject the USB flash drive from the clean computer.

8. Boot the infected computer to the Safe Mode.

9. Insert the USB flash drive.

10. Run tk.exe

11. Once the program is open, click on "Full Scan" to begin the malware scanning process.

Searching Blackdream Virus

Step 4: Remove Found Threats:

12. After the scan is complete, Trojan Killer will display a list of detected threats.

Searching Blackdream Finished

13. Click on "Cure PC!" to remove the identified malware from the infected PC.

14. Follow any additional on-screen prompts to complete the removal process.

Restart needed

Step 5: Restart Your Computer:

15. Once the threats are removed, click on "Restart PC" to reboot your computer.

16. Remove the USB flash drive from the infected computer.

Congratulations on effectively removing Blackdream and the concealed threats from your computer! You can now have peace of mind, knowing that they won't resurface again. Thanks to Gridinsoft's capabilities and commitment to cybersecurity, your system is now protected.

Often racketeers would decrypt few of your files to prove that they indeed have the decryption program. As Blackdream virus is a relatively recent ransomware, safety measures developers have not yet found a method to reverse its work. Nevertheless, the decoding tools are frequently updated, so the effective countermeasure may soon arrive.

Sure thing, if the malefactors succeed in encoding victim’s critical data, the hopeless person will most likely fulfill their demands. Nevertheless, paying to racketeers does not necessarily mean that you’re getting your files back. It is still risky. After obtaining the money, the racketeers may send a wrong decryption code to the injured party. There were reports of criminals just vanishing after getting the ransom without even writing back.

The optimal safety measure against ransomware is to have aan OS restore point or the copies of your critical files in the cloud storage or at least on an external drive. Surely, that might be not enough. The most crucial thing could be that file you were working on when it all happened. But at least it is something. It is also advisable to scan your PC for viruses with the anti-malware utility after the system restoration.

Blackdream is not the only ransomware of its kind, since there are other specimens of ransomware out there that act in the same manner. Examples of those are Ppvw, Ppvt, Ppvs, and some others. The two basic differences between them and the Blackdream are the ransom amount and the encoding method. The rest is almost identical: files become encrypted, their extensions changed, ransom notes emerge in each directory containing encrypted files.

Some fortunate people were able to decrypt the blocked files with the aid of the free tools provided by anti-ransomware specialists. Sometimes the criminals accidentally send the decoding code to the wronged in the ransom readme. Such an extraordinary fail allows the user to restore the files. But of course, one should never expect such a chance. Make no mistake, ransomware is a bandits’ instrument to lay their hands on the money of their victims.

How сan I avoid ransomware attack?

Blackdream ransomware doesn’t have a superpower, neither does any similar malware.

You can armour your PC from its attack within several easy steps:

  • Never open any letters from unknown mailers with strange addresses, or with content that has likely no connection to something you are expecting (can you win in a money prize draw without even taking part in it?). If the email subject is likely something you are waiting for, scrutinize all elements of the questionable email with caution. A fake email will always contain a mistake.
  • Do not use cracked or untrusted software. Trojan viruses are often distributed as a part of cracked products, most likely as a “patch” preventing the license check. Understandably, potentially dangerous programs are difficult to distinguish from reliable software, because trojans sometimes have the functionality you need. You can try to find information on this program on the anti-malware message boards, but the optimal solution is not to use such programs at all.
  • And finally, to be sure about the safety of the files you downloaded, use GridinSoft Anti-Malware. This program will be a perfect shield for your personal computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

🤔 Is it possible to open “.BlackDream” files?

Unfortunately, no. You need to decipher the “.BlackDream” files first. Then you will be able to open them.

🤔 What should I do to make my files accessible as fast as possible?

It’s good if you have fаr-sightedly saved copies of these important files elsewhere. In case you haven’t, there is still a chance that you do have a Restore Point from some time ago to roll back the whole system to the moment when it had no virus yet, but already had your files. The rest of the methods require patience.

🤔 If GridinSoft deletes the Blackdream malware, will it also delete my files that were encrypted?

Absolutely not! The encrypted files are not harmful, so they won’t be deleted.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware only deals with active viruses. The virus that has attacked your system is must be still active and it scans your system periodically to encode any new files you might create on your PC after the attack. As it has been said above, the Blackdream virus does not come alone. It installs backdoors and keyloggers that can steal your account credentials and provide criminals with easy access to your computer in the future.

🤔 What actions should I take if the Blackdream malware has blocked my PC and I can’t get the activation key.

If that happened, you need to prepare a flash memory drive with a previously installed Trojan Killer. Use Safe Mode to execute the procedure. The point is that the ransomware runs automatically as the system boots and encodes any new files created or brought into your system. To stop this function – use Safe Mode, which allows only the essential applications to run automatically. Consider reading our manual on booting Windows in Safe Mode.

🤔 What could help the situation right now?

Some of the encrypted files can be found elsewhere.

  • If you sent or received your important files by email, you could still download them from your online mail server.
  • You may have shared photographs or videos with your friends or relatives. Simply ask them to give those images back to you.
  • If you have initially downloaded any of your files from the Web, you can try to do it again.
  • Your messengers, social media pages, and cloud drives might have all those files as well.
  • Maybe you still have the needed files on your old computer, a laptop, cellphone, memory stick, etc.

HINT: You can use file recovery utilities1 to get your lost data back since ransomware arrests the copies of your files, deleting the original ones. In the video below, you can learn how to recover your files with PhotoRec, but remember: you won’t be able to do it before you eradicate the ransomware itself with an anti-malware program.

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Brendan Smith
How to Remove BLACKDREAM Ransomware & Recover PC

Name: BLACKDREAM Virus

Description: BLACKDREAM Virus is a ransomware-type infections. This virus encrypts important personal files (video, photos, documents). The encrypted files can be tracked by a specific .BlackDream extension. So, you can't use them at all.

Operating System: Windows

Application Category: Virus

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References

  1. Here are Top 10 Data Recovery Software Of 2023.

About the author

Brendan Smith

I'm Brendan Smith, a passionate journalist, researcher, and web content developer. With a keen interest in computer technology and security, I specialize in delivering high-quality content that educates and empowers readers in navigating the digital landscape.

With a focus on computer technology and security, I am committed to sharing my knowledge and insights to help individuals and organizations protect themselves in the digital age. My expertise in cybersecurity principles, data privacy, and best practices allows me to provide practical tips and advice that readers can implement to enhance their online security.

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