The Bombo virus falls under the Dharma ransomware family. Malware of this type encrypts all user’s data on the PC (photos, documents, excel sheets, audio files, videos, etc) and adds its own extension to every file.
What is known about the Bombo virus?
☝️ Bombo is a Dharma family ransomware-type infection.
The renaming will be executed by this scheme: .BOMBO. As a part of encryption, a file entitled, for instance, “report.docx” will be altered to “report.docx.id-A1B9D831.[Bit_decrypt@protonmail.com].BOMBO”.
The ransom note usually contains instructions on how to purchase the decryption tool from the Bombo developers. You can get this decryptor after contacting Bit_decrypt@protonmail.com via email. That is how they do it.
Bombo Summary:
| Name | Bombo Virus |
| Ransomware family1 | Dharma ransomware |
| Extension | .BOMBO |
| Contact | Bit_decrypt@protonmail.com |
| Detection | Trojan:Win32/Tnega!MSR Removal, Win32:Adware-DNA [Adw] Virus Removal, Win32:Secat [Trj] Virus Removal |
| Symptoms | Your files (photos, videos, documents) get a .BOMBO extension and you can’t open them. |
| Fix Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by Bombo virus |
In the screenshot below, you can see what a directory with files encrypted by the Bombo looks like. Each filename has the “.BOMBO” extension added to it.
That is how encrypted “.BOMBO” files look.
How did my computer get infected with Bombo ransomware?
There is a huge number of possible ways of ransomware infiltration.
There are currently three most exploited ways for tamperers to have ransomware planted in your system. These are email spam, Trojan injection and peer-to-peer file transfer.
- If you access your inbox and see emails that look just like notifications from utility services companies, delivery agencies like FedEx, web-access providers, and whatnot, but whose sender is unknown to you, be wary of opening those letters. They are most likely to have a malware item enclosed in them. Thus it is even riskier to open any attachments that come with letters like these.
- Another option for ransom hunters is a Trojan horse scheme. A Trojan is an object that gets into your PC pretending to be something different. Imagine, you download an installer for some program you need or an update for some software. But what is unpacked reveals itself a harmful agent that encrypts your data. Since the update file can have any name and any icon, you’d better be sure that you can trust the source of the stuff you’re downloading. The best thing is to use the software companies’ 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 Web. You can never guess what you download until you get it. So you’d better be using trustworthy resources. Also, it is reasonable to scan the folder containing the downloaded files with the antivirus as soon as the downloading is finished.
How do I get rid of ransomware?
It is crucial to inform you that besides encrypting your files, the Bombo virus will probably install Vidar Stealer on your PC to seize your credentials to various accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). That spyware can extract your credentials from your browser’s auto-filling data.
Remove Bombo 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 Bombo as well as other malware hiding on your computer.
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.
3.Follow the installation setup wizard's instructions diligently.
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.
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.
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.
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 “Bombo” 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.
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.
2. Insert a USB flash drive into this computer.
3. Install Trojan Killer to the "removable drive" following the on-screen instructions.
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.
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.
Step 4: Remove Found Threats:
12. After the scan is complete, Trojan Killer will display a list of detected threats.
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.
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 Bombo 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.
Sometimes racketeers would decrypt some of your files to prove that they really have the decryption program. As Bombo virus is a relatively new ransomware, anti-malware designers have not yet found a method to reverse its work. However, the decryption instruments are constantly upgraded, so the solution may soon arrive.
Sure thing, if the tamperers do the job of encoding someone’s essential files, the desperate person will most likely comply with their demands. Nevertheless, paying to racketeers does not necessarily mean that you’re getting your blocked information back. It is still risky. After obtaining the money, the racketeers may deliver a wrong decryption code to the injured party. There were reports about malefactors simply vanishing after getting the money without even bothering to reply.
The optimal safety measure against ransomware is to have a system restore point or the copies of your essential files in the cloud disk or at least on an external disk. Obviously, that might be not enough. The most important thing could be that one you were working upon when it all happened. Nevertheless, it is something. It is also advisable to scan your PC for viruses with the anti-malware utility after the system is rolled back.
Bombo is not the only ransomware of its kind, since there are other specimens of ransomware out there that act in the same manner. For instance, Anonymous, Sarut, Rapax, and some others. The two main differences between them and the Bombo are the ransom amount and the method of encryption. The rest is the same: files become inaccessible, their extensions altered, ransom notes are created in each folder containing encoded files.
Some fortunate people were able to decode the blocked files with the aid of the free tools provided by anti-ransomware experts. Sometimes the hackers accidentally send the decryption key to the wronged in the ransom readme. Such an epic fail allows the victim to restore the files. But of course, one should never rely on such a chance. Make no mistake, ransomware is a bandits’ tool to lay their hands on the money of their victims.
How сan I avoid ransomware infection?
Bombo ransomware has no endless power, neither does any similar malware.
You can armour your computer from its attack taking several easy steps:
- Ignore any letters from unknown senders with strange addresses, or with content that has likely no connection to something you are waiting for (how can you win in a money prize draw without participating in it?). In case the email subject is more or less something you are waiting for, check all elements of the suspicious email carefully. A hoax letter will always have mistakes.
- Do not use cracked or untrusted software. Trojan viruses are often distributed as an element of cracked software, possibly under the guise of “patch” which prevents the license check. Understandably, untrusted programs are difficult to distinguish from trustworthy ones, as trojans sometimes have the functionality you need. Try searching for information on this program on the anti-malware forums, but the best way is not to use such programs at all.
- And finally, to be sure about the safety of the objects you downloaded, scan them with GridinSoft Anti-Malware. This program will be a powerful shield for your personal computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
🤔 Can I somehow access “.BOMBO” files?
Negative. That is why ransomware is so frustrating. Until you decode the “.BOMBO” files you will not be able to access them.
🤔 The encrypted files are very important to me. How can I decrypt them quickly?
It’s good if you have fаr-sightedly saved copies of these important files elsewhere. If not, there is still a function of System Restore but it needs a Restore Point to be previously saved. There are other ways to beat ransomware, but they take time.
🤔 You have advised using GridinSoft Anti-Malware to get rid of the Bombo virus. Does it mean that all my files, currently encrypted, will be removed too?
Of course not. The encrypted files are not harmful, so they won’t be deleted.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware only deals with real viruses. The ransomware that has attacked your device is probably still active and launching checks every so often to encode any new files you might create on your computer after the attack. As it has been mentioned above, the Bombo virus comes with the company. It installs backdoors and keyloggers that can steal your account credentials and provide criminals with easy access to your computer after some time.
🤔 What actions should I take if the Bombo virus has blocked my PC and I can’t get the activation code.
If that happened, you need to prepare a flash memory card with a pre-installed Trojan Killer. Use Safe Mode to perform the procedure. The point is that the ransomware starts automatically as the system boots and encodes any new files created or imported into your PC. To suppress this function – use Safe Mode, which allows only the vital applications to run automatically. Consider reading our manual on running Windows in Safe Mode.
🤔 What could help the situation right now?
Many of the blocked files might still be at your disposal
- If you exchanged your critical files through email, you could still download them from your online mailbox.
- You may have shared images or videos with your friends or family members. Just ask them to send those pictures back to you.
- If you have initially got any of your files from the Web, you can try downloading them again.
- Your messengers, social media pages, and cloud disks might have all those files as well.
- It might be that you still have the needed files on your old PC, a laptop, phone, flash memory, etc.
USEFUL TIP: You can use data recovery programs2 to get your lost data back since ransomware encodes the copies of your files, deleting the original ones. In the video below, you can see how to use PhotoRec for such a restoration, but be advised: you can do it only after you remove the ransomware itself with an antivirus program.
