What is DarkSide ransomware?

DarkSide is a cryptovirus, that is actively spreading around the internet. In order to keep data safe, we strongly recommend not to open suspicious attachments from spam emails. A proper anti-virus application may help too, as the consequences of ransomware viruses are quite disastrous. If DarkSide somehow managed to sneak into the victim’s system, it will immediately run an encryption procedure to lock all the victim’s sensitive and vulnerable files (documents of any type, images, videos, databases, Excel sheets, and so on). The encoded files can’t be used anymore. To get access to such files, a victim has to pay a huge sum of money – a ransom for the data. In this particular case, the ransom cost is $2,500,000. Use this tutorial to remove DarkSide ransomware and decrypt your files without paying a ransom to cybercriminals.

remove DarkSide ransomware

Once the encryption procedure is done, the virus appends each infected file with a new extension containing victim’s_ID. For example, a file called mydocuments.doc will change to mydocuments.d0ac7d95. After that, DarkSide ransomware leaves README.[victim’s_ID].TXT file that contains criminals’ demands. They ask victims to visit their onion website via Tor browser in order to get further instructions.

The content of the ransom note:

———– [ Welcome to Dark ] ————->

What happend?
———————————————-
Your computers and servers are encrypted, backups are deleted. We use strong encryption algorithms, so you cannot decrypt your data.
But you can restore everything by purchasing a special program from us – universal decryptor. This program will restore all your network.
Follow our instructions below and you will recover all your data.

Data leak
———————————————-

First of all we have uploaded more then 100 GB data.

Example of data:
– Accounting data
– Executive data
– Sales data
– Customer Support data
– Marketing data
– Quality data
– And more other…

Your personal leak page: hxxp://darksidedxcftmqa.onion/blog/article/id/6/ dQDclB_6Kg-c-6fJesONyHoaKh9BtI8j9Wkw2inG8O72jWaOcKbrxMWbPfKrUbHC
The data is preloaded and will be automatically published if you do not pay.
After publication, your data will be available for at least 6 months on our tor cdn servers.

We are ready:
– To provide you the evidence of stolen data
– To give you universal decrypting tool for all encrypted files.
– To delete all the stolen data.

What guarantees?
———————————————-
We value our reputation. If we do not do our work and liabilities, nobody will pay us. This is not in our interests.
All our decryption software is perfectly tested and will decrypt your data. We will also provide support in case of problems.
We guarantee to decrypt one file for free. Go to the site and contact us.

How to get access on website?
———————————————-
Using a TOR browser:
1) Download and install TOR browser from this site: hxxps://torproject.org/
2) Open our website: hxxp://darksidfqzcuhtk2.onion/ K71D6P88YTX04R3ISCJZHMD5IYV55V9247QHJY0HJYUXX68H2P05XPRIR5SP2U68

When you open our website, put the following data in the input form:
Key:

!!! DANGER !!!
DO NOT MODIFY or try to RECOVER any files yourself. We WILL NOT be able to RESTORE them.
!!! DANGER !!!!

In the end, it’s up to you to believe it or not, but let us warn you – no one can ensure that they would do their part of the deal. On the contrary, there is a high risk of being deceived and simply left with nothing. The only reliable way to solve the problem is to remove DarkSide ransomware from the system using appropriate software in order to stop the malicious actions of the virus and then restore your data from the backup.

Screenshot of files encrypted by DarkSide virus:

remove DarkSide ransomware

There are two solutions to remove DarkSide Ransomware and decrypt your files. The first is to use an automated removal tool. This method is suitable even for inexperienced users since the removal tool can delete all instances of the virus in just a few clicks. The second is to use the Manual Removal Guide. This is a more complicated way that requires special computer skills.

Screenshot of DarkSide website:

remove DarkSide ransomware

The content of the DarkSide website:

Your network has been locked!
You need pay $ 2,000,000
194.105 BTC (+10%) – 23220.713 XMR now, or $ 4,000,000
388.209 BTC (+10%) – 46441.426 XMR after doubled.

After payment we will provide you universal decryptor for all network.

Don’t worry, we are good decryption specialists.
How to decrypt files ?

Buy the required amount of XMR (Monero): 23220.713 XMR or BTC (Bitcoin): 194.105 BTC (+10%)
Send 23220.713 XMR or 194.105 BTC (+10%) to the following address:
Monero: 86R5YKD3DbMTJ1mgqiYjjsVULxwcxN5h5Yy Jt7Sz4B2oZEpZCnGBDZY4DG293xeeZSeF6iaDJqAoRVMeQXgUNM5x3fzyZru
BTC: bc1qena2vfl7xhc5ad7q06eeuyd563ykxmwardnt2d
* This receiving address was created for you, to identify your transactions.
Wait for 10 confirmations for XMR or 3 confirmations of BTC.
Reload current page after, and get a link download Decryptor.

Time left
03 days, 00:45:03
Time ends on 15 Aug 2020, 10:52
* The price will be doubled if you do not pay.
Data leak
Your data stolen. Read our blog.
Next publication:
03 days, 13:50:07
Transactions
TXID Sum Confirmations Status Date
Transactions not found


How DarkSide ransomware gets on my computer?

Cybercriminals use various techniques to deliver the virus to the target computer. Ransomware viruses can infiltrate victims’ computers more than in one or two ways, in most cases, cryptoviral extortion attack is carried out with the help of the following methods:

Brief overview:
Name DarkSide
Type of threat Ransomware, cryptovirus, file-locking virus
Extension .victim’s ID
Ransom note README.[victim’s_ID].TXT
Amount of Ransom $2,500,000
Contact Tor website
Distribution Spam email attachments, RDP, pirated software, torrent websites, phishing sites
Removal Tool

In order to completely remove ransomware from your computer, you will need to install an antivirus software. We recommend using SpyHunter

Recovery Tool

The only effective method to restore files is to copy them from a saved backup. If you don’t have a suitable backup, you may use third-party recovery software such as Stellar Data Recovery


How to remove DarkSide ransomware?

Recommended Solution:

Try SpyHunter

SpyHunter is a powerful tool that is able to keep your Windows clean. It would automatically search out and delete all elements related to malware. It is not only the easiest way to eliminate malware but also the safest and most assuring one. The full version of SpyHunter costs $42 (you get 6 months of subscription). By clicking the button, you agree to EULA and Privacy Policy. Downloading will start automatically.

Download SpyHunter

for windows

Try Stellar Data Recovery

Stellar Data Recovery is one of the most effective tools that can recover lost and corrupted files — documents, emails, pictures, videos, audio files, and more — on any Windows device. The powerful scan engine can detect compromised files and finally save them to specified destination. Despite its advancedness, it’s very concise and simple so that even the most inexperienced user can figure it out.

Download Stellar Data Recovery

Try MailWasher

Email security is the first line of defense against ransomware viruses. To do this, we recommend that you use MailWasher. MailWasher blocks ransomware viruses coming through spam and phishing, and automatically detects malicious attachments and URLs. In addition, malicious messages can be blocked even before the recipient opens them. Since the main source of the spread of ransomware viruses are infected emails, antispam significantly reduces the risk of a virus appearing on your computer.

Download MailWasher

You may find more detailed information about antivirus products in our article – Top 5 Antivirus Software for Windows


Once DarkSide ransomware has been successfully removed, you can begin the file decryption procedure.

How to decrypt files infected by DarkSide Ransomware?


Method 1. Restore your files with the help of Recovery Tool

Stellar Data RecoveryIn case your PC has been attacked by ransomware, you may restore your files by using file recovery software. Stellar Data Recovery is one of the most effective tools that can recover lost and corrupted files — documents, emails, pictures, videos, audio files, and more — on any Windows device. The powerful scan engine can detect compromised files and finally save them to specified destination. Despite its advancedness, it’s very concise and simple so that even the most inexperienced user can figure it out.

Download Stellar Data Recovery
  1. Run Stellar Data Recovery.
  2. Select type of files you want to restore and click Next.
  3. Stellar Data Recovery

  4. Select the drive and folder where your files are located and date that you want to restore them from and press Scan.
  5. Stellar Data Recovery

  6. Once the scanning process is done, click Recover to restore your files.
  7. Stellar Data Recovery

  8. After this, select a destination and click Start Saving to save restored data.
  9. Stellar Data Recovery

Since new ransomware-type viruses appear almost every day, there is no technical possibility to issue a decryptor for each virus. In this case, the recovery tool comes to the rescue. Despite the fact that this is one of the most effective methods in the absence of a decryptor, this is not 100 percent and not the only way.


Method 2. Restore the system using System Restore

Although the latest versions of DarkSide Ransomware can remove system restore files, this method may help you partially restore your files. Give it a try and use standard System Restore to revive your data. The entire process is preferably carried out in Safe Mode with Command Prompt:

For Windows XP/Vista/7 users:

Restart your computer and before your system starts – hit F8 several times. This will prevent system from loading and will show Advanced boot options screen. Choose Safe mode with Command Prompt option from the options list using up and down arrows on your keyboard and hit Enter.

safe mode with networking

For Windows 8/10 users:

  1. Click the Start button, then select Settings
  2. Click Update & Security, then select Recovery and click Restart now.
  3. After your device reboots, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options >Startup Settings > Restart
  4. safe mode with Command Prompt

  5. After your PC restarts, you should press F5 key to Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

After the system is loaded in Safe Mode with Command Prompt, do following:

  1. In the Command Prompt window, type cd restore and hit Enter.
  2. system restore

  3. Then type rstrui.exe and hit Enter again.
  4. system restore

  5. Once a new window shows up, click Next.
  6. system restore

  7. Choose the date before the infection appearance and click Next again
  8. system restore

  9. In the opened pop-up window, click Yes to start system restore.
  10. system restore


Method 4. Roll the files back to the previous version

Previous versions can be copies of files and folders created by Windows Backup (if it is active) or copies of files and folders created by System Restore. You can use this feature to restore files and folders that you accidentally modified or deleted, or that were damaged. This feature is available in Windows 7 and later versions.

windows previous versions

  1. Click the encrypted file and choose Properties
  2. Open the Previous Version tab
  3. Select the latest version and click Copy
  4. Click Restore

How to prevent your system from Ransomware?

No one is safe from infection with a virus that secretly encrypts your data. But in order to minimize this risk, you need to follow the rules:

1. Always make Windows updates on time and keep them up to date. Remember that these updates close the security holes in the system through which the virus can enter your computer.

2. The most efficient way to avoid data loss is of course to make a backup of all important data from your computer. It is enough just to synchronize the necessary folders with one of the cloud services, so as not to be afraid to see the text requiring the payment of bitcoins in exchange for a decryption key. It can be a cloud or a remote hard drive on the network. If you store all your files on the Internet, the likelihood of virus infection will be lower. Do not make copies to external hard drives, as this could damage them.

3. Since spam email is the most popular form of spreading ransomware-type viruses, the user should never open email attachments without first having scanned them with antivirus. Just clicking on the link or opening the attachment can damage the operating system (Windows) in a few minutes, damage important data and infect other machines with the virus.

4. All previous methods do not matter if you do not have a reliable antivirus. The presence of anti-virus protection on your computer can prevent all these unpleasant surprises. Anti-virus software will protect you from malware, money loss, time loss, invasion of your personal life. Now the antivirus market is so huge that it is difficult to make a choice in favor of one of them. If you have not decided who to give preference to, we suggest you familiarize yourself with our Top 5 Antivirus Software for Windows

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