Geek's Advice

LTNUHR ransomware is a virtual extortion tool that encrypts your files

LTNUHR ransomware is a malicious computer virus coming from THANOS ransomware family. This virus aims to lock all personal files on your computer using complex encryption algorithm. After infecting the system, it scans for files matching extensions from its target list and marks each file with .ltnuhr extension. As a consequence, file originally called 1.jpg becomes 1.jpg.ltnuhr after being modified. In addition, the virus drops a message into every file in a form of a Notepad file called RESTORE_FILES_INFO.txt. This file is specifically known as a “ransom note,” a way of cybercriminals telling you that your files were locked and can be restored if the attackers’ demands are fulfilled. The note suggests contacting cybercriminals via recoveryfiles@techmail.info for information on how to decrypt LTNUHR files.

Victims of this computer virus shortly find out that the sole purpose of LTNUHR ransomware is to block access to files stored on the computer and try to extort a ransom in exchange for file decryption. As explained in the ransom note, the ransomware has encrypted all files, documents, databases and the rest of data using advanced cryptography ciphers. According to the note, there is no way to decrypt files without the help of cybercriminals. They also imply that attempts to restore files in other ways will cause permanent damage to them.

The ransom note suggests to write to provided email address, recoveryfiles@techmail.com and send ID identifier which is added at the end of each ransom note. If the victim does this, the attackers promise to turn off ransomware’s function which is set to delete 24 files from victim’s computer. The crooks also suggest sending two encrypted files (up to 2 MB each) to them as email attachments and promise to decrypt them for free to prove that it is “worth” paying the ransom.

The attackers say that they will also send instructions on how and how much to pay. Traditionally, ransomware operators provide virtual wallet address and provide instructions on how to purchase cryptocurrency (such as Bitcoin) and make a transaction to them. This method helps to keep their identity anonymous so law enforcement authorities couldn’t trace them down.

Since this ransomware mainly targets companies and enterprises, it tries to make one last warning to the victim in case one has doubts on whether it is worth paying the ransom. The ransom note ends with an additional threat, suggesting that the malicious program downloaded databases, employee and customer information and other private information to the attacker’s server. They promise to publish such data in case the victim refuses to pay the ransom.

If your computer was infected with such or similar malware, we strongly recommend removing it from your system safely. Cybersecurity experts usually advise not to pay the ransom, since it encourages the attackers to continue their activities and sometimes doesn’t help with file decryption. In order to remove LTNUHR ransomware virus, use robust antivirus software such as INTEGO Antivirus to get rid of malicious remains and consider running RESTORO to repair virus damage caused on Windows OS files.

REMOVE MALWARE & REPAIR VIRUS DAMAGE

Ransomware Summary

REMOVE MALWARE & REPAIR VIRUS DAMAGE

Ransomware distribution explained: avoid getting infected

Variants of Thanos ransomware such as LTNUHR virus mostly target large companies and infect their networks using hacked RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) credentials. Therefore, if your company is using RDP for remote employee connections and other matters, consult with cybersecurity specialist to secure these connections and set complex passwords.

Another ransomware distribution method is malicious email attachments. Computer users and enterprise employees should get to know methods used by cybercriminals to create phishing emails and learn to recognize these. In general, cybercriminals often pretend to be someone else, for example, your colleague or representative of a well-known company who sends you some relevant information such as order details, invoice, waybill, missing payment details and similar.

Sophisticated attacks are often based on malicious scripts injected into common document formats, such as Word or PDF file and similar. Attackers can even spoof the sender’s email address to make it look legitimate. For this reason, we recommend trusting your common sense over curiosity and think whether it is suspicious that this specific sender is trying to contact you. If you weren’t expecting an email from such sender, we recommend ignoring it. Besides, look out for red flags such as grammar errors, weird-looking or strangely aligned images and logos, or unfamiliar greeting line in the email message.

Finally, avoiding untrustworthy online downloads is another good practice when trying to avoid ransomware infections. Try to stay away from various torrent downloads, free movie streaming websites and other online resources that are known to be sources of spyware and malware or display ads that lead to such sites.

Remove LTNUHR ransomware virus and protect your computer

If you are ready to secure your computer after a crypto-virus attack, we strongly recommend you to remove LTNUHR ransomware virus using a trustworthy antivirus software such as INTEGO Antivirus. It is a security software with real-time protection and excellent malware detection rates – therefore, it is VB100-certified. You can find a step-by-step guide below on how to prepare your computer for malware removal procedure. Finally, you can download RESTORO which is an excellent Windows OS files repair software that repairs damage caused to system files.

Once you finalize LTNUHR ransomware virus removal, make sure you report the incident to local law enforcement authorities. To recover your files, leverage the data backups you have. If you didn’t have data backups, please consider making them regularly in case you fall a victim to a similar cyberattack again.

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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Alternative software recommendations

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

Removing spyware and malware is one step towards cybersecurity. To protect yourself against ever-evolving threats, we strongly recommend purchasing a Premium version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, which provides security based on artificial intelligence and machine learning. Includes ransomware protection. See pricing options and protect yourself now.

System Mechanic Ultimate Defense

If you're looking for an all-in-one system maintenance suite that has 7 core components providing powerful real-time protection, on-demand malware removal, system optimization, data recovery, password manager, online privacy protection and secure driver wiping technology. Therefore, due to its wide-range of capabilities, System Mechanic Ultimate Defense deserves Geek's Advice approval. Get it now for 50% off. You may also be interested in its full review.

Disclaimer. This site includes affiliate links. We may earn a small commission by recommending certain products, at no additional cost for you. We only choose quality software and services to recommend.

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.