UNKNO Virus Ransomware

The Unkno virus falls within the ransomware type of infection. Ransomware of this type encrypts all user’s data on the PC (images, documents, excel sheets, music, videos, etc) and adds its specific extension to every file, creating the RESTORE_YOUR_FILES.txt files in each directory containing encrypted files.

What is known about the Unkno virus?

Unkno will append its own .unkno extension to every file’s name. For instance, a file named “photo.jpg” will be turned into “photo.jpg.unkno”. In the same manner, the Excel file with the name “table.xlsx” will be renamed to “table.xlsx.unkno”, and so on.

In each directory with the encoded files, a RESTORE_YOUR_FILES.txt text document will be found. It is a ransom money note. It contains information on the ways of paying the ransom and some other remarks. The ransom note usually contains instructions on how to purchase the decryption tool from the racketeers. You can obtain this decrypting software after contacting Tor website by email. That is how they do it.

Unkno Overview:

The RESTORE_YOUR_FILES.txt file accompanying the Unkno ransomware provides the following dispiriting information:

How to recover your files and have your data deleted from our servers:
- Download tor browser hxxps://www.torproject.org/download
- Enter support chat ****
- Negotiate the price for the recovery tool

In the picture below, you can see what a directory with files encrypted by Unkno looks like. Each filename has the “.unkno” extension appended to it.

How did my machine catch Unkno ransomware?

There are many possible ways of ransomware injection.

There are currently three most exploited ways for malefactors to have ransomware working in your system. These are email spam, Trojan injection, and peer-to-peer networks.

• If you open your inbox and see letters that look like familiar notifications from utility services providers, delivery agencies like FedEx, Internet providers, and whatnot, but whose sender is unknown to you, be wary of opening those emails. They are very likely to have a malware item attached to them. Thus it is even riskier to open any attachments that come with emails like these.
• Another thing the hackers might try is a Trojan horse scheme. A Trojan is an object that infiltrates your PC pretending to be something legal. For instance, you download an installer of some program you want or an update for some service. However, what is unpacked turns out to be a harmful program that encodes your data. As the installation file can have any title and any icon, you’d better be sure that you can trust the source of the files you’re downloading. The best thing is to trust the software developers’ official websites.
• 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 guess what you download until you get it. We suggest that you use trustworthy resources. Also, it is a good idea to scan the directory containing the downloaded files with the anti-malware utility as soon as the downloading is done.

How do I get rid of ransomware?

It is important to inform you that besides encrypting your files, the Unkno virus will most likely install Vidar Stealer on your PC to seize your credentials to different accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). That program can extract your logins and passwords from your browser’s auto-filling card file.

How сan I avoid ransomware attack?

Unkno ransomware has no endless power, and neither does any similar malware.

You can protect yourself from ransomware infiltration within three easy steps:

• Ignore any emails from unknown mailboxes with unknown addresses, or with content that has likely no connection to something you are expecting (can you win in a money prize draw without participating in it?). In case the email subject is more or less something you are waiting for, check all elements of the questionable letter with caution. A hoax letter will surely have a mistake.
• Never use cracked or untrusted programs. Trojan viruses are often spread as a part of cracked software, most likely as a “patch” preventing the license check. But potentially dangerous programs are very hard to tell from trustworthy software, as trojans sometimes have the functionality you need. Try searching for information on this software product on the anti-malware message boards, but the best solution is not to use such software.

FAQ

🤔 How can I open “.unkno” files?Are the “.unkno” files accessible?

There’s no way to do it unless the files “.unkno” files are decrypted.

🤔 What should I do to make my files accessible as fast as possible?

If the “.unkno” 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.

🤔 What actions should I take if the Unkno ransomware has blocked my PC and I can’t get the activation code?

🤔 What could help the situation right now?

Many of the blocked files might still be at your disposal

• If you sent or received your critical 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 Web, you can try doing it again.
• Your messengers, social media pages, and cloud drives might have all those files too.
• Maybe you still have the needed files on your old PC, a notebook, cellphone, flash memory, etc.

USEFUL TIP: You can employ file recovery programs¹ to get your lost data back since ransomware encrypts the copies of your files, removing the authentic ones. In the video below, you can see how to use PhotoRec for such a restoration, but be advised: you won’t be able to do it before you eradicate the virus with an antivirus program.

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