TALIBAN SKULL Virus Ransomware (.ENCRYPTED Files)

The Taliban skull virus belongs to the ransomware type of malicious agent. Malware of such sort encrypts all user’s data on the computer (images, text files, excel tables, music, videos, etc) and appends its own extension to every file, creating the README_YOU_AS_BEEN_HACKED.txt files in every directory containing encrypted files.

It is better to prevent, than repair and repent!

When we talk about the intrusion of unfamiliar programs into your computer’s work, the proverb “Forewarned is forearmed” describes the situation as accurately as possible. Gridinsoft Anti-Malware is exactly the tool that is always useful to have in your armory: fast, efficient, up-to-date. It is appropriate to use it as an emergency help at the slightest suspicion of infection.

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Taliban skull virus: what is known so far?

Taliban skull will append its specific .encrypted extension to every file’s title. For instance, a file entitled “photo.jpg” will be renamed to “photo.jpg.encrypted”. Likewise, the Excel sheet with the name “table.xlsx” will end up as “table.xlsx.encrypted”, and so forth.

In every folder containing the encoded files, a README_YOU_AS_BEEN_HACKED.txt text file will be created. It is a ransom money memo. It contains information on the ways of paying the ransom and some other information. The ransom note usually contains a description of how to buy the decryption tool from the ransomware developers. You can obtain this tool after contacting [email protected] via email. That is it.

Taliban skull Overview:

The README_YOU_AS_BEEN_HACKED.txt document accompanying the Taliban skull malware states the following:

YOU HAS BEN HACKED


YOU HAS BEN HACKED
ALL YOUR FILES WERE ENCRYPTED!
IF YOU WANT TO RECOVER YOUR DATA...
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS IN: README_YOU_AS_BEEN_HACKED.txt
CONTACT ME AT: [email protected]


YOU HAS BEN HACKED

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

An example of encrypted .encrypted files.

How did my computer get infected with Taliban skull ransomware?

There are plenty of possible ways of ransomware injection.

There are currently three most popular ways for malefactors to have the Taliban skull virus working in your digital environment. These are email spam, Trojan introduction and peer networks.

• If you access your mailbox and see letters that look just like notifications from utility services providers, postal agencies like FedEx, Internet providers, and whatnot, but whose mailer is unknown to you, beware of opening those emails. They are most likely to have a malicious file enclosed in them. Therefore, it is even riskier to download any attachments that come with emails like these.
• Another thing the hackers might try is a Trojan file scheme. A Trojan is a program that gets into your PC pretending to be something different. For instance, you download an installer of some program you want or an update for some software. However, what is unboxed turns out to be a harmful program that compromises your data. As the update package can have any title and any icon, you’d better be sure that you can trust the resource of the files you’re downloading. The best thing is to trust 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 know what you download until you get it. So you’d better be using trustworthy resources. Also, it is a good idea to scan the folder containing the downloaded files with the anti-malware utility as soon as the downloading is complete.

How to remove ransomware?

It is important to inform you that besides encrypting your files, the Taliban skull virus will probably install Vidar Stealer on your computer to seize your credentials to various accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). The mentioned program can derive your logins and passwords from your browser’s auto-filling data.

Remove Taliban skull 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 Taliban skull 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 “Taliban skull” 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 Taliban skull 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 tamperers would decrypt several of your files to prove that they really have the decryption tool. As Taliban skull virus is a relatively new ransomware, anti-malware developers have not yet found a method to reverse its work. However, the decoding instruments are frequently upgraded, so the solution may soon be available.

Sure thing, if the hackers succeed in encoding someone’s critical files, the hopeless person will probably fulfill their demands. Despite that, paying a ransom does not necessarily mean that you’re getting your data back. It is still risky. After receiving the ransom, the racketeers may deliver a wrong decryption code to the victim. There were reports about hackers simply vanishing after getting the money without even writing back.

The best solution against 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 storage. Of course, that might be not enough. The most crucial thing could be that one you were working on when it all happened. Nevertheless, it is something. It is also wise to scan your drives with the anti-malware utility after the system is rolled back.

There are other ransomware products, besides Taliban skull, that work similarly. Examples of those are Xznshirkicry, Wanttocry, Dxen, and some others. The two basic differences between them and the Taliban skull are the ransom amount and the encoding method. The rest is the same: files become blocked, their extensions altered, ransom notes are found in each directory containing encrypted files.

Some lucky people were able to decode the blocked files with the aid of the free software provided by anti-malware developers. Sometimes the hackers accidentally send the decryption code to the wronged in the ransom readme. Such an epic fail allows the victim to restore the files. But obviously, 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 avert ransomware infection?

Taliban skull ransomware doesn’t have a endless power, neither does any similar malware.

You can defend your PC from its injection within several easy steps:

• Never open any letters from unknown mailers with unknown addresses, or with content that has nothing to do with something you are expecting (can you win in a money prize draw without even taking part in it?). In case the email subject is likely something you are expecting, scrutinize all elements of the questionable letter with caution. A hoax email will always contain a mistake.
• Avoid using cracked or untrusted software. Trojan viruses are often shared as a part of cracked products, possibly under the guise of “patch” preventing the license check. But dubious programs are difficult to distinguish from trustworthy software, as trojans may also have the functionality you seek. Try to find information about this software product on the anti-malware forums, but the optimal way is not to use such programs at all.
• And finally, to be sure about the safety of the objects you downloaded, check them with GridinSoft Anti-Malware. This software will be a powerful shield for your personal computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

🤔 How can I open “.encrypted” files?Can I somehow access “.encrypted” files?

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

🤔 I really need to decrypt those “.encrypted” files ASAP. How can I do that?

If the “.encrypted” files contain some really important information, then you probably have them backed up. 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.

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

Absolutely not! Unlike the ransomware program itself, the encrypted files do not jeopardize your system.

With the help of GridinSoft Anti-Malware, you can clean your PC off the actual threats. The ransomware that has infected your system is most likely still active and running scans periodically to arrest any new files you might create on your PC after the attack. As it has been mentioned above, the Taliban skull virus does not come alone. It installs backdoors and keyloggers that can steal your account credentials and provide hackers with easy access to your PC in the future.

🤔 What to do if the Taliban skull malware has blocked my computer and I can’t get the activation code.

In such an unfortunate situation, you need to prepare a flash memory drive with a previously installed Trojan Killer. Use Safe Mode to perform the procedure. The point is that the ransomware starts automatically as the system launches and encrypts any new files created or brought into your PC. To suppress this process – use Safe Mode, which allows only the vital applications to run upon system start. Consider reading our manual on running Windows in Safe Mode.

🤔 What can I do right now?

Some of the encrypted files can be found 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 photographs or videos with your friends or relatives. Simply ask them to give those pictures 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 networks pages, and cloud storage might have all those files as well.
• Maybe you still have the needed files on your old computer, a laptop, phone, external storage, etc.

USEFUL TIP: You can employ data recovery utilities¹ to get your lost data back since ransomware arrests the copies of your files, removing the authentic ones. In the video below, you can learn how to use PhotoRec for such a recovery, but be advised: you can do it only after you remove the virus with an anti-malware program.

1. Here’s the list of Best Data Recovery Software Of 2024.