I wrote this article to help you remove Bitcoin Virus. This Bitcoin Virus removal guide works for all Windows versions.
The term Bitcoin virus refers to ransomware programs which collect payments in this cryptocurrency. The majority of the active ransomware infections force their victims to the pay the sum this way. The term bitcoin mining has been coined to address this practice. The reason why Bitcoin viruses make up the better part of the ransomware sector is because the safest way to collect money from scam victims is through a cryptocurrency. This payment method allows the recipient to retain his anonymity. If you have contacted a Bitcoin virus, it is not advised to pay the ransom. The developers of these infections are cyber criminals. They cannot be trusted to make good on their part of the deal. Besides, there may be an easier way out which does not require you to cooperate with thieves.
How does a Bitcoin virus function?
When a ransomware program enters your computer, it will proceed to encrypt most of the files on the hard drive. Each infection targets a certain array of formats, but the majority focus on text documents, spreadsheets, presentations, images, audios, videos, databases and archives. Some viruses extend their process to a selection of system files and custom programs. They are more advanced, as they have the ability to identify and exclude the components which your operating system (OS) requires in order to run properly. Each Bitcoin virus makes use of a certain technique or algorithm to perform the process. The most common ciphers are the AES (advanced encryption algorithm), the RSA cryptosystem and the DES (double encryption standard). The first two technologies are often applied in parallel. RSA is the process which generates a public encryption key to lock the vulnerable files, while AES creates a private decryption key to unlock them.
When the Bitcoin virus has completed the encryption, it will create a ransom note to inform you of its actions and state its demands. The entire information can be contained in one file or scattered in a few notes. There can be a single instance of the ransom note or a few copies. Some Bitcoin viruses drop a copy of the message in every folder which contains encrypted files. Certain infections create separate notes for every encrypted file. The more unusual instances of ransom notes include a wallpaper which would be set as the desktop’s background image, a lock screen and a sound file.
The message you can expect to find in the ransom note is trivial in most cases. The Bitcoin virus will explain what has been done to your files. The program will likely state that the only way to have your files unlocked is with a unique key or a decryptor, provided by its creators. The amount of the ransom and the payment instructions may or may not be included in the note. When there are multiple notes, containing different information, one of them would probably be dedicated to the payment procedure. In many cases, Bitcoin viruses require victims to process the payment through the Tor browser. There would be links to Tor pages in the message. This technique is used to enhance the security level of the transactions. The Tor browser is a program which protects the geographic coordinates and IP address. When there is no information on how to conduct the payment, you would have to contact the creators of the infection for further instructions. They will give you an email or another contact form.
Some Bitcoin viruses give the victim limited time to react. This prevents the user from looking for an alternative solution to the problem. There may be a deadline for paying an initial ransom which would be increased afterwards. Another tactic the Bitcoin virus could use to pressure you is to begin deleting files after a certain time period. Your Internet access can be limited to prevent you from taking actions against the program. If the Bitcoin virus you have contacted warns you not to attempt to remove it on your own, discard this warning. There is no merit to it. The program cannot prevent you from deleting it with an anti-virus utility or do any more damage while the uninstall is being performed.
Another harmful activity the Bitcoin virus may conduct is monitoring. Again, this is not characteristic for most ransomware programs, but some do have tracking capabilities. The nefarious program could access different kinds of information from your web browser, including the history, tracking cookies, keystrokes, system specifications, IP address, geographic location and the details you have disclosed online. If you use personal and financial accounts, your full name, date of birth, home town, physical address, email account, telephone number, fax, user names, passwords and banking information could be recorded. The people behind the Bitcoin virus can do what adware and hijacker developers would and sell your data on the darknet. Since they are cyber criminals themselves, there is a possibility for them to hack your accounts themselves. The ultimate result in both cases can be as bad as losing your financial deposits and having fake accounts registered under your name.
How to protect your computer from a Bitcoin virus?
To avoid becoming the victim of cyber forgery, you need to keep your guard up when working on the Internet. Bitcoin viruses use a number of deceptive techniques to gain entry into people’s computers. These furtive programs rely on your lack of knowledge on computers and virtual security. To counter their distribution strategies, you need to educate yourself and take precautionary measures whenever they are required. We will list the propagation vectors, characteristic for Bitcoin viruses, explain how they work and how to protect your PC.
The most common way to get infected with a Bitcoin virus is through a spam email. The clandestine program often travels with electronic letters, concealed behind an attachment. The file is used to help transfer the Bitcoin virus to the device. This can happen through a malicious macro, a Javascript code, a corrupted .dll, .php, .lnk or another type of system file. The sender will compose a convincing letter in the effort to lead you astray. The attached file will be listed as a letter, a receipt, an invoice, a bill, a fine, a notice, a subpoena or another kind of important document. Spammers often write on behalf of existing companies and entities, like the national post, courier firms, banks, social networks, shopping platforms, government branches, the police department and others. This is their way of making people believe that the message is genuine. To proof the reliability of an email, check the account it has been sent from. It should belong to the entity the sender claims to be representing. You can go to its official website for references.
Corrupted websites and compromised web links provide the most facilitated process of transferring a Bitcoin virus. Entering the infected domain is enough to prompt the download and installation of the ransomware. You need to be careful when navigating on the web. Make sure your sources are reliable. It may be necessary to do your research on unfamiliar websites. In terms of links, the danger can hide in unexpected places. Hackers have the ability to penetrate user accounts on mailing platforms, social networks, messengers and forums undetected. They can send a link from an account without its owner seeing the message in his feed. When you receive a link you did not expect, ask your correspondent if he has really sent it.
Fake updates are another way to have a Bitcoin virus transmitted to your machine. The request can be for a system component or a custom program. The message can appear through a web page or straight to the desktop. The bogus update window can resemble the notification of the corresponding program to perfection. Duplicating message templates is not difficult. To check if there is an available upgrade for a system component, consult your Update Center. All system notifications are listed there. Custom programs display update requests when being launched. Some programs will show the message when an associated file type is accessed. When this happens, it is best to launch the tool to make sure.
Bundling is another way to spread Bitcoin viruses. This distribution technique is common for adware and hijackers. It is seldom used for ransomware. The host for the infection is a program. The secluded software is scheduled to be installed in parallel with the download client. When adding a given tool to your system, you need to read its terms and conditions. If there are extra programs offered with it as a bonus, you should unmark them. The additional tools could be malware in disguise. Select the custom or advanced installation mode to have all options shown. We advise you to only download confirmed programs from reputable websites. Pirated software is often responsible for distributing malware. The most common source for infections in general is freeware. Certain publishers refer to unlicensed tools as shareware. You should only acquire a given program after doing research to confirm its reliability.
Bitcoin Virus Uninstall
Method 1: Restore your encrypted files using ShadowExplorer
Usually, Bitcoin Virus deletes all shadow copies, stored in your computer. Luckily, the ransomware is not always able to delete the shadow copies. So your first try should be restoring the original files from shadow copies.
- Download ShadowExplorer from this link: http://www.shadowexplorer.com/downloads.html.
- Install ShadowExplorer
- Open ShadowExplorer and select C: drive on the left panel
- Choose at least a month ago date from the date field
- Navigate to the folder with encrypted files
- Right-click on the encrypted file
- Select “Export” and choose a destination for the original file
Method 2: Restore your encrypted files by using System Restore
- Go to Start –> All programs –> Accessories –> System tools –> System restore
- Click “Next“
- Choose a restore point, at least a month ago
- Click “Next“
- Choose Disk C: (should be selected by default)
- Click “Next“. Wait for a few minutes and the restore should be done.
Method 3: Restore your files using File Recovery Software
If none of the above method works, you should try to recover encrypted files by using File Recovery Software. Since Bitcoin Virus first makes a copy of the original file, then encrypts it and deletes the original one, you can successfully restore the original, using a File Recovery Software. Here are a few free File Recovery Software programs:
