The Rajah virus belongs to the Makop ransomware family. Ransomware of such sort encrypts all the data on your computer (photos, text files, excel sheets, music, videos, etc) and appends its own extension to every file, creating the +README-WARNING+.txt text files in each directory with the encrypted files.
Rajah virus: what is known so far?
βοΈ A strictly correct denomination for the Rajah is “a Makop family ransomware infection”.
The renaming will be done by the following pattern: .rajah. In the process of encryption, a file named, for instance, “report.docx” will be turned into “report.docx.[12A0FD70].[rajah@airmail.cc].rajah”.
In each directory that contains the encoded files, a +README-WARNING+.txt text file will be found. It is a ransom money memo. Therein you can find information about 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 ransomware developers. You can obtain this tool after contacting rajah@airmail.cc by email. That is basically the scheme of the malefaction.
Rajah Overview:
Name | Rajah Virus |
Ransomware family1 | Makop ransomware |
Extension | .rajah |
Ransomware note | +README-WARNING+.txt |
Contact | rajah@airmail.cc |
Detection | Trojan.Win32.VB, Win32/Adware_AGen.G, Win32/Sality.NDH |
Symptoms | Your files (photos, videos, documents) get a .rajah extension and you can’t open them. |
Fix Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by Rajah virus |
The +README-WARNING+.txt document coming in package with the Rajah malware provides the following frustrating information:
XXX Your data has been encrypted XXX To restore your data, write to rajah@airmail.cc PLEASE READ THE TEXT BELOW VERY CAREFULLY!!! 1. No one will return your data except us (do not trust third parties) 2. Antivirus and recovery programs will permanently corrupt your data (Even we can't restore it to you!) 3. Payment for the recovery of your data is made in BITCOIN (BTC) !!! BITCOIN ONLY!!! 4. You can buy BITCOIN (BTC) on the website hxxps://www.binance.com/en (Pass a simple registration following the instructions on the site and then purchase BITCOIN (BTC) If you have read the text above and you need your data, it's time to write to us
In the screenshot below, you can see what a directory with files encrypted by the Rajah looks like. Each filename has the “.rajah” extension appended to it.
How did my PC catch Rajah ransomware?
There are many possible ways of ransomware infiltration.
There are currently three most exploited ways for evil-doers to have ransomware planted in your system. These are email spam, Trojan injection and peer file transfer.
If you open your mailbox and see letters that look like familiar notifications from utility services providers, delivery agencies like FedEx, web-access providers, and whatnot, but whose mailer is strange to you, beware of opening those emails. They are very likely to have a harmful item enclosed in them. So it is even more dangerous to open any attachments that come with letters like these.
Another option for ransom hunters is a Trojan file model. A Trojan is an object that infiltrates into your computer disguised as something legal. For example, you download an installer for some program you need or an update for some program. However, what is unpacked turns out to be a harmful agent that compromises your data. Since the installation wizard can have any name and any icon, you have to make sure that you can trust the source of the files you’re downloading. The optimal way is to use the software developers’ official websites.
As for the peer file transfer protocols like torrents or eMule, the danger is that they are even more trust-based than the rest of the Internet. 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 objects with the antivirus as soon as the downloading is complete.
How do I get rid of the Rajah virus?
It is crucial to note that besides encrypting your data, the Rajah virus will probably install Vidar Stealer on your machine to get access to credentials to different accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). The mentioned program can extract your credentials from your browser’s auto-filling cardfile.
Often tamperers would unblock few of your files to prove that they indeed have the decryption tool. Since Rajah virus is a relatively new ransomware, security software engineers have not yet found a method to undo its work. Nevertheless, the decoding instruments are constantly updated, so the solution may soon arrive.
Sure thing, if the criminals do the job of encoding victim’s essential files, the desperate person will probably fulfill their demands. Nevertheless, paying to criminals does not necessarily mean that you’re getting your blocked information back. It is still risky. After receiving the money, the racketeers may send a wrong decryption key to the victim. There were reports of hackers simply disappearing after getting the money without even bothering to reply.
The optimal countermeasure to ransomware is to have aan OS restore point or the copies of your essential files in the cloud drive or at least on an external disk. Obviously, that might be not enough. Your most crucial thing could be that one you were working on when it all happened. But at least it is something. It is also wise to scan your PC for viruses with the anti-malware utility after the OS is rolled back.
There are other ransomware products, besides Rajah, that work similarly. Examples of those are Agpo, Tgvv, Bhgr, and some others. The two main differences between them and the Rajah are the ransom amount and the encoding method. The rest is the same: documents become blocked, their extensions changed, ransom notes are found in each directory containing encrypted files.
Some fortunate victims were able to decrypt the arrested files with the help of the free tools provided by anti-malware developers. Sometimes the hackers accidentally send the decryption code to the wronged in the ransom readme. Such an extraordinary fail allows the user to restore the files. But obviously, one should never expect such a chance. Make no mistake, ransomware is a tamperers’ tool to lay their hands on the money of their victims.
Remove Rajah Virus 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 Rajah Virus 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 “Rajah Virus” 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 Rajah Virus 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.
How to avert ransomware attack?
Rajah ransomware doesnβt have a superpower, neither does any similar malware.
You can protect your computer from its attack in several easy steps:
- Ignore any emails from unknown mailers with strange addresses, or with content that has likely no connection to something you are expecting (how can you win in a lottery without even taking part in it?). If the email subject is likely something you are expecting, check all elements of the dubious email with caution. A hoax letter will always have a mistake.
- Never use cracked or untrusted software. Trojans are often distributed as a part of cracked products, most likely as a βpatchβ to prevent the license check. But untrusted programs are difficult to tell from trustworthy ones, because trojans may also have the functionality you need. Try searching for information on this software product on the anti-malware forums, but the best solution 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 PC.
FAQ
π€ Is it possible to open β.rajahβ files?
There’s no way to do it, unless the files “.rajah” files are decrypted.
π€ What should I do to make my files accessible as fast as possible?
If the β.rajahβ files contain some really important information, then you probably have them backed up. 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. All other solutions require time.
π€ If GridinSoft deletes the Rajah malware, will it also delete my files that were encrypted?
No way! Your encrypted files are no threat to your PC.
With the help of GridinSoft Anti-Malware, you can clean your system off the actual viruses. The malware that has attacked your computer is probably still functional and it scans your system periodically to encrypt any new files you might create on your PC after the attack. As it has been mentioned above, the Rajah 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 system in the future.
π€ What actions should I take if the Rajah malware has blocked my computer and I can’t get the activation key.
In such an unfortunate situation, you need to have a memory stick with a previously installed Trojan Killer. Use Safe Mode to do the cleaning. The point is that the ransomware runs automatically as the system launches and encodes any new files created or brought into your system. To block this process – use Safe Mode, which allows only the vital applications to run automatically. Consider reading our manual on running Windows in Safe Mode.
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Brendan SmithHow to Remove RAJAH Ransomware & Recover PC
Name: RAJAH Virus
Description: RAJAH Virus is a ransomware-type infections. This virus encrypts important personal files (video, photos, documents). The encrypted files can be tracked by a specific .rajah extension. So, you can't use them at all.
Operating System: Windows
Application Category: Virus