Removal instructions for Trojan.Ransom.AI

[Metallica]

What is Trojan.Ransom.AI?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Trojan.Ransom.AI is a ransom malware application. These programs take control of key files or even an entire computer in order to extort money from the victims.

How do I know if I am infected with Trojan.Ransom.AI?

This is how the main screen of the ransom infection looks:

This will cover your entire screen, so you can not see your desktop or taskbar. Even after a reboot the desktop and taskbar will be missing, because the trojan has replaced the shell.

How did Trojan.Ransom.AI get on my computer?

Malware uses different methods for spreading themselves. This particular one was installed by a trojan.

How do I remove Trojan.Ransom.AI?

You will have to stop the randomly named process, if Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is not yet installed, before you can proceed.

Our program Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can detect and remove this rogue application.

• Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to your desktop.
  
• Double-click mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
  
• At the end, be sure a check-mark is placed next to the following:
  
  • Update Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
    
  • Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
    

  [*]Then click Finish.

  [*]If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.

  [*]Once the program has loaded, select Perform quick scan, then click Scan.

  [*]When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.

  [*]Be sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected. Reboot your computer if prompted.

  [*]When completed, a log will open in Notepad. The rogue application should now be gone.

Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of Trojan.Ransom.AI?

• No, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware removes Trojan.Ransom.AI completely.
  

We hope our application has helped you eradicate this malicious software. If your current security solution let this infection through, you might please consider purchasing the FULL version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware for additional protection.

As you can see below the full version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware would have protected you against the Trojan.Ransom.AI trojan. It would have warned you before the trojan could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.

Technical details for experts

Signs in a HijackThis log:

C:\WINDOWS\f74e910c368717e9acef3a1b9a1a9f03.exe

F2 - REG:system.ini: Shell=C:\WINDOWS\f74e910c368717e9acef3a1b9a1a9f03.exe
O6 - HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Restrictions present

Note: the filename is random

Alterations made by the installer:

File System
===============
Adds the file C:\WINDOWS\f74e910c368717e9acef3a1b9a1a9f03.exe

Registry
===============
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\Explorer]
"NoViewContextMenu"="1"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\system]
"EnableLUA"="0"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"Shell"="'C:\WINDOWS\f74e910c368717e9acef3a1b9a1a9f03.exe'"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Restrictions]
"NoBrowserContextMenu"="1"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot]
"AlternateShell"="'C:\WINDOWS\f74e910c368717e9acef3a1b9a1a9f03.exe'"

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.61.0.1400
www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: v2012.07.11.08

Windows XP Service Pack 3 x86 NTFS
Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18702
{username} :: MBAM-D3E8C91ACC [administrator]

7/11/2012 6:14:43 PM
mbam-log-2012-07-11 (18-14-43).txt

Scan type: Quick scan
Scan options enabled: Memory | Startup | Registry | File System | Heuristics/Extra | Heuristics/Shuriken | PUP | PUM
Scan options disabled: P2P
Objects scanned: 179217
Time elapsed: 44 second(s)

Memory Processes Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Detected: 3
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon|Shell (Trojan.Ransom.AI) -> Bad: (C:\WINDOWS\f74e910c368717e9acef3a1b9a1a9f03.exe) Good: () -> Quarantined and repaired successfully.
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer|NoViewContextMenu (PUM.RightClick.Disabled) -> Bad: (1) Good: (0) -> Quarantined and repaired successfully.
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Restrictions|NoBrowserContextMenu (PUM.RightClick.Disabled) -> Bad: (1) Good: (0) -> Quarantined and repaired successfully.

Folders Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Files Detected: 1
C:\WINDOWS\f74e910c368717e9acef3a1b9a1a9f03.exe (Trojan.Ransom.AI) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

(end)

As mentioned before the full version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware could have protected your computer against this threat.

We use different ways of protecting your computer(s):

• Dynamically Blocks Malware Sites & Servers
  
• Malware Execution Prevention
  

Save yourself the hassle and get protected.