The U2k virus belongs under the MME ransomware family. Harmful software of such sort encrypts all the data on your PC (photos, text files, excel tables, music, videos, etc) and adds its specific extension to every file, leaving the ReadMe.txt text files in every folder containing encrypted files.
What is U2k virus?
☝️ A scientifically correct description for the U2k is “a MME family ransomware-type infection”.
U2k will append its own .U2K extension to every file’s name. For instance, a file named “photo.jpg” will be turned into “photo.jpg.U2K”. Likewise, the Excel sheet named “table.xlsx” will end up as “table.xlsx.U2K”, and so on.
In each directory containing the encrypted files, a ReadMe.txt text file will be found. 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 purchase the decryption tool from the tamperers. That is basically the scheme of the malefaction.
U2k outline:
| Name | U2k Virus |
| Ransomware family1 | MME ransomware |
| Extension | .U2K |
| Ransomware note | ReadMe.txt |
| Detection | Trojan:Win32/RedLineStealer.PS!MTB, Ransom:Win32/Ciluf, MSIL/Agent.VIF |
| Symptoms | Your files (photos, videos, documents) get a .U2K extension and you can’t open them. |
| Fix Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by U2k virus |
The ReadMe.txt document accompanying the U2k ransomware states the following:
Attention! All your files, documents, photos, databases and other important files are encrypted The only method of recovering files is to purchase an unique decryptor. Only we can give you this decryptor and only we can recover your files. The server with your decryptor is in a closed network TOR. You can get there by the following ways: ---------------------------------- 1. Download Tor browser - hxxps://www.torproject.org/ 2. Install Tor browser 3. Open Tor Browser 4. Open link in TOR browser: hxxp://u2kqti2utfaiefucegnmd6yh6hledbsfanaehhnnn3q5usk6bvndahqd.onion/?301BDPGHJLM 5. and open ticket ---------------------------------- Alternate communication channel here: hxxps://yip.su/2QstD5
In the image below, you can see what a directory with files encrypted by the U2k looks like. Each filename has the “.U2K” extension appended to it.
That is how encrypted “.U2K” files look.
How did my computer get infected with U2k ransomware?
There are plenty of possible ways of ransomware injection.
There are currently three most exploited methods for criminals to have the U2k virus working in your system. These are email spam, Trojan injection and peer file transfer.
If you access your mailbox and see emails that look like familiar notifications from utility services providers, postal agencies like FedEx, Internet providers, and whatnot, but whose sender is strange to you, beware of opening those emails. They are very likely to have a ransomware item enclosed in them. Thus it is even riskier to download any attachments that come with emails like these.
Another thing the hackers might try is a Trojan horse model2. A Trojan is an object that gets into your PC disguised as something else. Imagine, you download an installer for some program you need or an update for some service. But what is unboxed reveals itself a harmful agent that corrupts your data. As the update package can have any name and any icon, you’d better be sure that you can trust the resource of the stuff you’re downloading. The best way is to use the software companies’ official websites.
As for the peer-to-peer networks like torrent trackers or eMule, the threat 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 websites. Also, it is reasonable to scan the directory containing the downloaded objects with the anti-malware utility as soon as the downloading is done.
How to remove the U2k virus?
It is important to inform you that besides encrypting your files, the U2k virus will probably deploy the Azorult Spyware on your PC to seize your credentials to various accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). That spyware3 can derive your credentials from your browser’s auto-filling data.
Often racketeers would decode few of your files so you know that they indeed have the decryption program. As U2k virus is a relatively recent ransomware, security software designers have not yet found a method to reverse its work. Nevertheless, the anti-ransomware instruments are frequently updated, so the solution may soon be available.
Understandably, if the hackers succeed in encrypting victim’s critical data, the desperate person will probably fulfill their demands. Despite that, paying to criminals gives no guarantee that you’re getting your blocked information back. It is still risky. After getting the money, the racketeers may send a wrong decryption code to the victim. There were reports of racketeers simply vanishing after getting the money without even writing back.
The best solution against ransomware is to have aan OS restore point or the copies of your essential files in the cloud storage or at least on an external disk. Obviously, that might be not enough. The most crucial thing could be that file you were working on when it all went down. Nevertheless, it is something. It is also wise to scan your drives with the anti-malware utility after the system restoration.
U2k 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, Hkgt, Lltt, Llqq, and some others. The two basic differences between them and the U2k are the ransom amount and the encoding method. The rest is almost identical: files become encoded, their extensions changed, ransom notes emerge in each folder containing encoded files.
Some fortunate users were able to decrypt the arrested files with the aid of the free tools provided by anti-malware specialists. Sometimes the racketeers accidentally send the decryption key 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. Remember, ransomware is a tamperers’ tool to pull the money out of their victims.
How to avoid ransomware attack?
U2k ransomware has no endless power, so as any similar malware.
You can protect 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 waiting for (how can you win in a lottery without even taking part in it?). In case the email subject is more or less something you are waiting for, scrutinize all elements of the questionable email carefully. A hoax letter will always have a mistake.
- Avoid using cracked or unknown software. 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 very hard to distinguish from trustworthy software, as trojans may also have the functionality you seek. Try searching for information on this program on the anti-malware message boards, but the best way is not to use such programs at all.
- And to be sure about the safety of the files you downloaded, check them with GridinSoft Anti-Malware. This software will be a powerful armor for your personal computer.
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 system.
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 U2k 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
🤔 How can I open “.U2K” files?Is it possible to open“.U2K” files?
There’s no way to do it, unless the files “.U2K” files are decrypted.
🤔 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. Otherwise, you might try to employ System Restore. The only question is whether you have saved any Restore Points that would be helpful now. The rest of the methods require patience.
🤔 You have advised using GridinSoft Anti-Malware to get rid of the U2k virus. Does it mean that all my files, currently encrypted, will be removed too?
Of course not. Your encrypted files are no threat to your PC.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware only deals with active threats. The ransomware that has infected your PC is probably still functional and launching checks from time to time to encrypt any new files you might create on your PC after the initial attack. As it has already been said, the U2k malware comes with the company. It installs backdoors and keyloggers that can take your account passwords by trespass and provide malefactors with easy access to your system after some time.
🤔 What should I do if the U2k ransomware has blocked my PC and I can’t get the activation key.
If that happened, you need to prepare a flash memory card with a pre-installed Trojan Killer. Use Safe Mode to do the cleaning. You see, the ransomware starts automatically as the system boots and encrypts any new files created or brought into your computer. To block this function – use Safe Mode, which allows only the essential applications to run automatically. Consider reading our manual on running Windows in Safe Mode.
🤔 What can I do right now?
Many of the encrypted files might still be at your disposal
- If you sent or received your important files through email, you could still download them from your online mailbox.
- You might have shared images or videos with your friends or family members. Simply ask them to post those images back to you.
- If you have initially got any of your files from the Internet, you can try downloading them again.
- Your messengers, social media 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, external storage, etc.
HINT: You can use data recovery programs6 to get your lost data back since ransomware arrests the copies of your files, deleting the original ones. In the tutorial below, you can learn how to use PhotoRec for such a recovery, but be advised: you won’t be able to do it before you kill the ransomware itself with an antivirus program.
Also, you can contact the following official 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 U2K Ransomware & Recover PC
Name: U2K Virus
Description: U2K Virus is a ransomware-type infections. This virus encrypts important personal files (video, photos, documents). The encrypted files can be tracked by a specific .U2K 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 are Best Data Recovery Software Of 2023.
