The Flash virus falls within the Dcrtr ransomware family. Malware of such sort encrypts all user’s data on the computer (images, text files, excel sheets, music, videos, etc) and adds its extra extension to every file, creating the ReadMe_Decryptor.txt text files in each directory containing encrypted files.
Flash virus: what is known so far?
☝️ A scientifically correct description for the Flash would be “a Dcrtr family ransomware infection”.
The renaming will be done according to this pattern: [contact_email].flash. In the process of encryption, a file entitled, for instance, “report.docx” will be changed to “report.docx.[ashtray@outlookpro.net].flash”.
In each folder containing the encoded files, a ReadMe_Decryptor.txt text file will be found. It is a ransom money note. It contains information on the ways of contacting the racketeers and some other remarks. The ransom note most probably contains a description of how to purchase the decryption tool from the racketeers. You can obtain this decryptor after contacting ashtray@outlookpro.net via email. That is it.
Flash summary:
| Name | Flash Virus |
| Ransomware family1 | Dcrtr ransomware |
| Extension | .flash |
| Ransomware note | ReadMe_Decryptor.txt |
| Contact | ashtray@outlookpro.net |
| Detection | Win32/Packed.BlackMoon.A suspicious, BScope.TrojanDownloader.Deyma, Mal/Kryptik-BX |
| Symptoms | Your files (photos, videos, documents) have a .flash extension and you can’t open them. |
| Fix Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by Flash virus |
The ReadMe_Decryptor.txt document coming in package with the Flash malware states the following:
To recover data, write here: ashtray@outlookpro.net Do not modify files - this will damage them. Test decryption - 1 file < 500 Kb.
In the screenshot below, you can see what a directory with files encrypted by the Flash looks like. Each filename has the ".flash" extension added to it.
An example of encrypted .flash files.
How did my computer get infected with Flash ransomware?
There are many possible ways of ransomware infiltration.
There are currently three most popular ways for criminals to have ransomware acting in your digital environment. These are email spam, Trojan introduction and peer-to-peer file transfer.
If you open your mailbox and see letters that look like familiar notifications from utility services companies, postal agencies like FedEx, web-access providers, and whatnot, but whose mailer is strange to you, be wary of opening those emails. They are very likely to have a ransomware file enclosed in them. So it is even riskier to open any attachments that come with emails like these.
Another option for ransom hunters is a Trojan horse scheme2. A Trojan is a program that gets into your PC pretending to be something else. For example, you download an installer for some program you want or an update for some program. But what is unboxed reveals itself a harmful program that compromises your data. As the installation package can have any name and any icon, you have to make sure that you can trust the resource of the things you're downloading. The best thing is to use the software companies' official websites.
As for the peer-to-peer file transfer protocols like BitTorrent or eMule, the threat 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. So you'd better be using trustworthy websites. Also, it is a good idea to scan the folder containing the downloaded objects with the anti-malware utility as soon as the downloading is finished.
How do I get rid of the Flash virus?
It is important to note that besides encrypting your files, the Flash virus will probably install the Azorult Spyware on your computer to seize your credentials to different accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). That spyware3 can extract your credentials from your browser's auto-filling data.
Often racketeers would decrypt several of your files to prove that they indeed have the decryption program. Since Flash virus is a relatively new ransomware, safety measures engineers have not yet found a method to reverse its work. However, the anti-ransomware instruments are constantly upgraded, so the solution may soon arrive.
Of course, if the hackers succeed in encoding someone's critical files, the desperate person will most likely fulfill their demands. However, paying a ransom gives no guarantee that you're getting your files back. It is still risky. After receiving the money, the racketeers may deliver a wrong decryption code to the injured party. There were reports about ransomware developers simply disappearing after getting the ransom without even writing back.
The best countermeasure to 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 storage. Obviously, that might be insufficient. Your most crucial thing could be that file you were working upon when it all happened. But at least it is something. It is also wise to scan your PC for viruses with the antivirus program after the system restoration.
Flash 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, Oflg, Ofww, Towz, and some others. The two major differences between them and the Flash are the ransom amount and the encoding method. The rest is almost identical: files become inaccessible, their extensions changed, ransom notes emerge in each directory containing encoded files.
Some fortunate users were able to decrypt the arrested files with the help of the free software provided by anti-malware experts. Sometimes the hackers accidentally send the decoding 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 criminals' tool to pull the money out of their victims.
How to avoid ransomware injection?
Flash ransomware has no endless power, neither does any similar malware.
You can protect your PC from ransomware attack in several easy steps:
- Never open any letters from unknown senders with unknown addresses, or with content that has likely no connection to something you are expecting (can you win in a lottery without participating in it?). In case the email subject is more or less something you are waiting for, check all elements of the dubious letter carefully. A fake letter will surely contain a mistake.
- Never use cracked or untrusted programs. Trojan viruses are often distributed as a part of cracked products, most likely under the guise of “patch” which prevents the license check. Understandably, untrusted programs are very hard to distinguish from reliable ones, as trojans may also have the functionality you seek. Try searching for information about this program on the anti-malware forums, but the best way is not to use such software.
- And to be sure about the safety of the files you downloaded, scan them with GridinSoft Anti-Malware. This software will be a perfect defense for your PC.
Reasons why I would recommend GridinSoft4
There is no better way to recognize, remove and prevent ransomware than to use an anti-malware software from GridinSoft5.
Download Removal Tool.
You can download GridinSoft Anti-Malware by clicking the button below:
Run the setup file.
When setup file has finished downloading, double-click on the setup-antimalware-fix.exe file to install GridinSoft Anti-Malware on your computer.
An User Account Control asking you about to allow GridinSoft Anti-Malware to make changes to your device. So, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
Press "Install" button.
Once installed, Anti-Malware will automatically run.
Wait for the Anti-Malware scan to complete.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically start scanning your PC for Flash infections and other malicious programs. This process can take a 20-30 minutes, so I suggest you periodically check on the status of the scan process.
Click on "Clean Now".
When the scan has completed, you will see the list of infections that GridinSoft Anti-Malware has detected. To remove them click on the “Clean Now” button in right corner.
FAQ
🤔 Is it possible to open “.flash” files?
Negative. That is why ransomware is so frustrating. Until you decode the ".flash" files you will not be able to access 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. If not, there is still a function of System Restore but it needs a Restore Point to be previously saved. All other solutions require time.
🤔 You have advised using GridinSoft Anti-Malware to get rid of the Flash 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 malware that has infiltrated your computer is must be still active and launching checks every so often to encode any new files you might create on your computer after the initial attack. As it has been said above, the Flash ransomware comes with the company. It installs backdoors and keyloggers that can take your account passwords by trespass and provide criminals with easy access to your PC in the future.
🤔 What should I do if the Flash virus has blocked my computer and I can't get the activation key.
In such a case, you need to have a flash memory card with a previously installed Trojan Killer. Use Safe Mode to perform the cleaning. You see, the ransomware runs automatically as the system launches and encrypts any new files created or imported into your system. To suppress this process - use Safe Mode, which allows only the vital applications to run automatically. Consider reading our manual on booting Windows in Safe Mode.
🤔 And what should I do now?
Some of the blocked data can be located elsewhere.
- If you sent or received your important files by email, you could still download them from your online mail server.
- You might have shared photographs or videos with your friends or relatives. Simply ask them to give those images back to you.
- If you have initially got any of your files from the Internet, you can try to do it again.
- Your messengers, social networks pages, and cloud storage might have all those files too.
- Maybe you still have the needed files on your old PC, a laptop, phone, flash memory, etc.
HINT: You can use file recovery programs6 to retrieve your lost information since ransomware encodes the copies of your files, removing the original ones. In the tutorial below, you can learn how to recover your files with PhotoRec, but remember: you can do it only after you eradicate the ransomware itself with an antivirus program.
Also, you can contact the following governmental fraud and scam sites to report this attack:
- In the United States: On Guard Online;
- In Canada: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre;
- In the United Kingdom: Action Fraud;
- In Australia: SCAMwatch;
- In New Zealand: Consumer Affairs Scams;
- In France: Agence nationale de la sécurité des systèmes d’information;
- In Germany: Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik;
- In Ireland: An Garda Síochána;
To report the attack, you can contact local executive boards. For instance, if you live in USA, you can have a talk with FBI Local field office, IC3 or Secret Service.
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Brendan SmithHow to Remove FLASH Ransomware & Recover PC
Name: FLASH Virus
Description: FLASH Virus is a ransomware-type infections. This virus encrypts important personal files (video, photos, documents). The encrypted files can be tracked by a specific .flash extension. So, you can't use them at all.
Operating System: Windows
Application Category: Virus
User Review
( votes)References
- My files are encrypted by ransomware, what should I do now?
- You can read more on Trojans, their use and types in the Trojan-dedicated section of GridinSoft official website.
- You can read more on spyware variants and nature in the respective section of GridinSoft official website.
- GridinSoft Anti-Malware Review from HowToFix site: https://howtofix.guide/gridinsoft-anti-malware/
- More information about GridinSoft products: https://gridinsoft.com/comparison
- Here's the list of Best Data Recovery Software Of 2023.
