IT specialist Tomas Meskauskas was the one who originally recognized the Kadavro vector virus, which belongs with the ransomware type of infection. Ransomware of this type encrypts all user’s data on the computer (images, documents, excel sheets, audio files, videos, etc) and appends its specific extension to every file.
What is Kadavro vector virus?
☝️ A scientifically correct designation for the Kadavro vector would be “a ransomware-type infection”.
Kadavro vector will append its own .vector_ extension to the title of every encoded file. For example, a file entitled “photo.jpg” will be altered to “photo.jpg.vector_”. In the same manner, the Excel table with the name “table.xlsx” will be altered to “table.xlsx.vector_”, and so forth.
The ransom note most probably contains instructions on how to purchase the decryption tool from the racketeers. That is how they do it.
Kadavro vector summary:
| Name | Kadavro vector Virus |
| Extension | .vector_ |
| Ransom | $250 (Monero) |
| Detection | Trojan:Win32/Smokeloader.GHN!MTB, Trojan:Win32/RedLine.LD!MTB, Ransom:MSIL/TankixCrypt.PA!MTB |
| Symptoms | Your files (photos, videos, documents) have a .vector_ extension and you can’t open them. |
| Fix Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by Kadavro vector virus |
The note coming in package with the Kadavro vector ransomware provides the following discouraging information:
English All your files have been encrypted with the powerful Kadavro Vector ransomware. Kadavro Vector is a well-designed ransomware that encrypts all your data, passwords, text data, exe handlers, projects, and a lot of recovery files. No one except our team is able to decrypt your files. The first thing you need to do is follow our instructions. If you skip one step, you may regret your data. 1) Do not turn off the Internet. Why ? - If you turn off your internet, KADAVRO VECTOR will lose connection with the server, and this will cause you to lose files even after paying for the decryption. 2) Do not turn off your computer. Why ? - Turning off the computer will cause KADAVRO VECTOR to lose connection with the server as well. This will result in file loss. There is a small chance that the panel will appear after restarting / shutting down the computer, then you still have to pay 3) Carefully read the purchase of monero, monero is a crypto currency through which you will have to pay for the decryption of your files. Russia Все ваши файлы были зашифрованы мощной программой-вымогателем Kadavro Vector. Kadavro Vector — это хорошо продуманная программа-вымогатель, которая шифрует все ваши данные, пароли, текстовые данные, обработчики исполняемых файлов, проекты и множество файлов восстановления. Никто, кроме нашей команды, не сможет расшифровать ваши файлы. Первое, что вам нужно сделать, это следовать нашим инструкциям. Если вы пропустите один шаг, вы можете пожалеть о своих данных. 1) Не отключайте интернет. Почему ? - Если вы отключите интернет, KADAVRO VECTOR потеряет связь с сервером, и это приведет к потере файлов даже после оплаты расшифровки. 2) Не выключайте компьютер. Почему ? - Выключение компьютера также приведет к потере связи KADAVRO VECTOR с сервером. Это приведет к потере файла. Есть небольшой шанс, что панель появится после перезагрузки/выключения компьютера, тогда все равно придется платить 3) Внимательно читайте покупку Monero, Monero - это криптовалюта, через которую вам придется платить за расшифровку ваших файлов. Norwey Alle filene dine er kryptert med den kraftige Anon Kadavro løsepengevaren. Kadavro Vector er en godt designet løsepengeprogramvare som krypterer alle dine data, passord, tekstdata, exe-behandlere, prosjekter og mange gjenopprettingsfiler. Ingen bortsett fra teamet vårt er i stand til å dekryptere filene dine. Det første du må gjøre er å følge instruksjonene våre. Hvis du hopper over ett trinn, kan du angre på dataene dine. 1) Ikke slå av Internett. Hvorfor ? – Hvis du slår av internett, vil KADAVRO VECTOR miste forbindelsen med serveren, og dette vil føre til at du mister filer selv etter å ha betalt for dekrypteringen. 2) Ikke slå av datamaskinen. Hvorfor ? - Å slå av datamaskinen vil føre til at KADAVRO VECTOR også mister forbindelsen med serveren. Dette vil føre til tap av filer. Det er en liten sjanse for at panelet dukker opp etter omstart / slått av datamaskinen, da må du fortsatt betale 3) Les nøye gjennom kjøpet av Monero, Monero er en kryptovaluta som du må betale for dekrypteringen av filene dine. Send $250 worth of Monero to this address: 46RvQJ7RVMNXTu4aRRrrwuNJqogM7hA1z6B uBqC9robLeaVAT4LQdwLdHWEP9WZR8oRNowkAW5ghhPZjYmKTcPjd8sMPAmE English All your files will be deleted after the time specified on the screen Files are deleted using one of the most secure algorithms (Air Force AFSSI-5020), without the possibility of recovery. Hurry up. Russia Все ваши файлы будут удалены по истечении времени, указанного на экране Файлы удаляются по одному из самых безопасных алгоритмов (Air Force AFSSI-5020), без возможности восстановления. Торопитесь.
In the screenshot below, you can see what a directory with files encrypted by the Kadavro vector looks like. Each filename has the “.vector_” extension added to it.
How did my computer get infected with Kadavro vector ransomware?
There are many possible ways of ransomware infiltration.
There are currently three most exploited ways for evil-doers to have ransomware settled in your digital environment. These are email spam, Trojan injection, and peer networks.
If you access your mailbox and see emails that look like familiar notifications from utility services companies, delivery 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 malicious item attached to them. So it is even riskier to open any attachments that come with letters like these.
As for the peer-to-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 know what you download until you get it. So you’d better be using trustworthy resources. Also, it is reasonable to scan the directory containing the downloaded items with the antivirus as soon as the downloading is finished.
How do I get rid of the Kadavro vector virus?
It is crucial to inform you that besides encrypting your data, the Kadavro vector virus will probably install the Azorult Spyware on your machine to seize your credentials to various accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). That spyware2 can extract your logins and passwords from your browser’s auto-filling cardfile.
Often tamperers would unblock several of your files so you know that they really have the decryption tool. Since Kadavro vector virus is a relatively recent ransomware, safety measures engineers have not yet found a way to reverse its work. Nevertheless, the decryption tools are constantly upgraded, so the solution may soon be available.
Sure thing, if the malefactors succeed in encrypting victim’s essential files, the desperate person will most likely fulfill their demands. Nevertheless, paying to criminals gives no guarantee that you’re getting your data back. It is still dangerous. After getting the ransom, the racketeers may deliver a wrong decryption key to the victim. There were reports about hackers simply disappearing after getting the money without even bothering to reply.
The best countermeasure to ransomware is to have a system restore point or the copies of your critical files in the cloud storage or at least on an external disk. Surely, that might be insufficient. Your most crucial thing could be that one you were working upon when it all started. But at least it is something. It is also advisable to scan your PC for viruses with the antivirus program after the OS restoration.
Kadavro vector 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, Nitz, Nifr, Niwm, and some others. The two main differences between them and the Kadavro vector are the ransom amount and the encoding method. The rest is almost identical: documents become encrypted, their extensions altered, ransom notes appear in every folder containing encrypted files.
Some lucky people were able to decode the blocked files with the help of the free software provided by anti-ransomware experts. Sometimes the hackers mistakenly send the decoding code to the wronged in the ransom readme. Such an epic fail allows the user to restore the files. But obviously, one should never rely on such a chance. Remember, ransomware is a bandits’ technology to pull the money out of their victims.
How to avoid ransomware attack?
Kadavro vector ransomware doesn’t have a superpower, so as any similar malware.
You can protect your computer from its injection taking three easy steps:
- Never open any emails from unknown mailers with strange addresses, or with content that has nothing to do with something you are expecting (how can you win in a lottery without participating in it?). If the email subject is likely something you are waiting for, check all elements of the dubious email carefully. A fake email will always have mistakes.
- Never use cracked or unknown programs. Trojans are often spreaded as a part of cracked software, possibly under the guise of “patch” preventing the license check. But potentially dangerous programs are difficult to distinguish from trustworthy software, as trojans may also have the functionality you seek. You can try searching for information about this program on the anti-malware forums, but the optimal way is not to use such programs at all.
Reasons why I would recommend GridinSoft3
Download Removal Tool.
Run the setup file.
Press “Install” button.
Once installed, Anti-Malware will automatically run.
Wait for the Anti-Malware scan to complete.
Click on “Clean Now”.
FAQ
🤔 How can I open “.vector_” files?Can I somehow access “.vector_” files?
Unfortunately, no. You need to decipher the “.vector_” files first. Then you will be able to open them.
🤔 I really need to decrypt those “.vector_” files ASAP. How can I do that?
Hopefully, you have made a copy of those important files. 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.
🤔 What actions should I take if the Kadavro vector malware has blocked my PC and I can’t get the activation key.
🤔 What can I do right now?
Some of the encrypted files can be located elsewhere.
- If you sent or received your important files via email, you could still download them from your online mail server.
- You may have shared images or videos with your friends or family members. Just ask them to send 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 drives might have all those files as well.
- Maybe you still have the needed files on your old computer, a notebook, cellphone, flash memory, etc.
HINT: You can use file recovery utilities5 to retrieve your lost information since ransomware arrests the copies of your files, removing the original ones. In the tutorial below, you can learn how to use PhotoRec for such a restoration, but remember: you won’t be able to do it before you eradicate the virus with an anti-malware 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 SmithReferences
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