Geek's Advice

BBBE ransomware is a file-encrypting computer threat

BBBE is a new Windows-OS targeting virus variant of STOP/DJVU ransomware family. After being launched, this ransomware variant encrypts all files stored on the computer and connected network drives. During the data encryption stage, this virus marks each encrypted file with .bbbe extension. For instance, file called 1.jpg becomes 1.jpg.bbbe, example.docx becomes example.docx.bbbe and so on. At the same time, the virus leaves _readme.txt ransom notes in each folder to inform the victim about possible way of recovering all data. According to the note, the cybercriminals expect the victim to pay a ransom in exchange for BBBE file decryption tool.

The message in _readme.txt ransom note suggests that all files on victim’s computer have been encrypted with “strongest algorithms” and that a private decryption key is required to decrypt .bbbe files. The note suggests that the only way to get it is to pay a ransom, or, in the cybercriminals’ wording, purchase the key and decryption software from them. They recommend contacting them via two provided emails: support@sysmail.ch and helpsupportmanager@airmail.cc.

The note suggests that the victim can get a 50% discount if one writes to the attackers within 72 hours – this settles the decryption price at $490. If delayed any longer, the criminals will ask to pay $980. In both situations, the attackers only accept the payment via Bitcoin to prevent FBI or other law enforcement institutions from finding them. The note also recommends attaching one encrypted file to the email for test decryption.

The primary aim of this ransomware is to extort the computer user after taking one’s files hostage; however, we’d like to advise you to follow official FBI recommendations regarding ransom payments. In short, you should NOT PAY THE RANSOM. First of all, it never guarantees complete or partial data recovery, secondly, by paying, you would support the cybercriminals and their further operations. Collecting money from ransomware victims only allows them to employ more people and distribute this kind of malware even more quickly.

Finally, we’d like to warn you that STOP/DJVU ransomware virus variants typically arrive alongside VIDAR Trojan. In previous attacks, the virus used to distribute AZORULT malware. Both of these computer threats are well-known information stealers capable of grabbing your login credentials, browser-saved passwords, cryptocurrency wallets, browsing history, cookies and other data and sending them to cybercriminals. With their hands on such private information, they can continue to blackmail you.

If you have fallen victim to this file-encrypting malware attack, we recommend you to remove BBBE ransomware virus without a delay. To prevent the malware from blocking your attempts to delete it, boot your computer in Safe Mode with Networking as explained in the guide provided below. If you’re unsure which antivirus to use, we highly recommend INTEGO Antivirus. In addition, we recommend downloading this tool – RESTORO and scanning your computer system. This tool can repair virus damage on Windows OS files without the need to reinstall the operating system.

Ransomware Summary

REMOVE MALWARE & REPAIR VIRUS DAMAGE

Ransomware distribution explained

You can get infected with ransomware-type virus if you tend to look for pirated software versions online, open email attachments without inspecting them first, or tend to download software updates from suspicious pop-up ads online. These are the most common ways of ransomware distribution, which we will explain in detail below.

The majority of STOP/DJVU variants like BBBE virus travel in a form of deceptive pirated software versions. These can be downloaded via rogue websites online offering RAR archives or via torrents. You should stay away from such software versions because not only you can get fined for copyright infringement, but also end up with your computer severely compromised. Victims of the discussed ransomware strain have reported getting infected after attempts to install the following software illegally:

• Opera browser;
• Fifa 20;
• Tenorshare 4ukey;
• League of Legends;
• Adobe Photoshop;
• Corel Draw;
• Cubase;
• Various AV software;
• Adobe Illustrator;
• AutoCad;
• Internet Download Manager;
• VMware Workstation;
• KMSPico (illegal Windows activation tool) and others.

Please remember that the only way to get legitimate software versions is to look for it on official software developer’s website or confirmed partner’s site that usually leads to a confirmed download link belonging to the developer’s website.

Ransomware and various other malware also travels alongside deceptive emails. The criminals can easily craft up deceptive documents with attached scripts that are meant to download and run the payload on your computer. Therefore, avoid opening unexpected email attachments even if they come called as invoices, parcel tracking details, order summaries, waybills and similar. It is highly likely that such document is hazardous, especially if you can spot other red flags in the email, for example, unfamiliar greeting line, spoofed email address, sense of urgency to open attached files or links or simply typo errors.

Ransomware-type threats can also hide in fake software update tools. These may be suggested via aggressive pop-up ads while browsing on rogue online websites. To avoid getting infected, avoid annoying advertisements and software recommended on them. As always, you can check for legitimate software updates on official developer’s website or you can update your programs via their settings.

Victims of STOP/DJVU ransomware should also be careful because there are a lot of rogue websites offering decryption tools that simply hide another malware in them. To illustrate, operators of ZORAB ransomware used to distribute their malware via fake STOP/DJVU decryption tools. You can find all options for recovering your files (or repairing some of them) in this tutorial on our website.

More technical information about this file-encrypting threat

BBBE ransomware virus tends to launch in a form of a executable named with 4 random characters, for example, 5B7H.exe, 17N6.exe or similar. The main executable also downloads several build.exe, build2.exe or build3.exe helper processes. In certain situations, the ransomware also launches a dummy Windows update prompt (winupdate.exe process). It seeks to deceive the victim and justify the computer slowdown by claiming the system is downloading and installing essential updates.

In the meantime, the ransomware begins collecting details about the infected computer and preparing for the actual data encryption. One of the first things this threat does is figuring our the computer’s geolocation. For this, the ransomware reaches out to https[:]//api.2ip.ua/geo.json and saves the response into geo.json file. It contains computer’s geolocation data: timezone, city, country name and code, zip code, longitude, latitude and other details. You can see an example of how this file may appear in the screenshot below.

The virus then compares extracted geolocation data to its exception list. It tends to terminate all of its processes in case one of the following countries are detected: Armenia, Ukraine, Belarus, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Syria, Kazachstan, Kyrgyzstan, or Russia. In other words, this ransomware doesn’t encrypt files on computers from Commonwealth of independent States (CIS). There’s no official explanation why, but it can be that the ransomware operators might be from one of the listed countries.

The virus also collects some details about the computer, its hardware specifics, installed software and active processes into information.txt file. You can see a screenshot of it below.

The ransomware also requests a unique encryption key from its Command&Control server. This type of encryption is usually referred to as “online encryption.” In case the virus fails to establish a connection and retrieve this key from the C&C server, it uses a hardcoded key instead. This key is associated with something known as the “offline encryption” mode. In short, victims affected by offline encryption type have a chance of recovering their files in the future. The virus saves the encryption key and victim’s ID into bowsakkdestx.txt file and the ID separately to PersonalID.txt file. You can check whether you were affected by offline encryption by inspecting C:\SystemID\PersonalID.txt contents. If the string located there ends in t1, it means that offline encryption was used. See a screenshot of described text files down below.

The ransomware then encrypts all data on the compromised computer with the help of Salsa20 + RSA-2048 encryption. Encrypted files will be marked with .bbbe extension as shown in the screenshot below.

The malware also equally drops a copy of _readme.txt note in every infected folder. See contents of it below.

Ransomware-type viruses usually remove Volume Shadow Copies from the computer to prevent the user from accessing previously established System Restore Points. These can be used for partial data recovery; clearly, this is something that the cybercriminals do not want to leave on the computer. The VSS copies are deleted with the following CMD command:

^{vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet}

Finally, some STOP/DJVU versions modify Windows HOSTS file to add a list of domains to block on the host. As a result, the computer user cannot access them. In such situations, error DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN appears in web browser. In short, it seems that the attackers want to block access to domains that might provide the computer user with relevant information regarding ransomware incident response.

Remove BBBE Ransomware Virus and Decrypt Your Files

The easiest way to eliminate malware from a computer is by booting it in Safe Mode with Networking and running a robust antivirus from there. It helps to set up the system with limited functions and deactivate malicious components so that the security software could find and erase them. If you do not have an antivirus solution yet, we strongly recommend using INTEGO Antivirus. Our team approves it due to top-notch malware detection rate and robust real-time protection.

Additionally, you may want to download RESTORO to identify and repair virus damage on Windows OS files.

OUR GEEKS RECOMMEND

Our team recommends a two-step rescue plan to remove ransomware and other remaining malware from your computer, plus repair caused virus damage to the system:

STEP 1. REMOVE AUTOMATICALLY WITH ROBUST ANTIVIRUS

REMOVE & PROTECT WITH INTEGO

Get INTEGO ANTIVIRUS for Windows to remove ransomware, Trojans, adware and other spyware and malware variants and protect your PC and network drives 24/7.. This VB100-certified security software uses state-of-art technology to provide protection against ransomware, Zero-Day attacks and advanced threats, Intego Web Shield blocks dangerous websites, phishing attacks, malicious downloads and installation of potentially unwanted programs.

Use INTEGO Antivirus to remove detected threats from your computer.

Read full review here.

STEP 2. REPAIR VIRUS DAMAGE TO YOUR COMPUTER

DOWNLOAD RESTORO

RESTORO provides a free scan that helps to identify hardware, security and stability issues and presents a comprehensive report which can help you to locate and fix detected issues manually. It is a great PC repair software to use after you remove malware with professional antivirus. The full version of software will fix detected issues and repair virus damage caused to your Windows OS files automatically.

RESTORO uses AVIRA scanning engine to detect existing spyware and malware. If any are found, the software will eliminate them.

Read full review here.

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Norbert Webb

Norbert Webb is the head of Geek’s Advice team. He is the chief editor of the website who controls the quality of content published. The man also loves reading cybersecurity news, testing new software and sharing his insights on them. Norbert says that following his passion for information technology was one of the best decisions he has ever made. “I don’t feel like working while I’m doing something I love.” However, the geek has other interests, such as snowboarding and traveling.