Kangaroo ransomware virus

Kangaroo ransomware is malware that shows up as the Windows Explorer process

Kangaroo ransomware – malware that urges contacting the criminals via email address

Kangaroo ransomware is a notorious malware strain released by the same developer who created Apocalypse ransomware, Esmeralda, and Fabiansomware. By using symmetric or asymmetric encryption, this malware locks up all files and documents found on the Windows computer system. Afterward, the .missing appendix is added to each filename of the encrypted components. Discovered by a cybersecurity researcher named S!Ri,^[1] this ransomware virus displays the (filename).Contact_Data_Recovery.txt ransom message that holds the [email protected] email address where the victims are supposed to write in order to discuss all the terms and conditions of data recovery.

Kangaroo virus shows up as the Windows Explorer process in the Task Manager. This file has been spotted by 43 AV programs out of the total 71. According to VirusTotal,^[2] the malware has been detected as Gen:Variant.Mikey.75690,  Win32:Malware-gen, Trojan.TR/Crypt.XPACK.Gen2, TR/Crypt.XPACK.Gen2, Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Kangar.a, etc.

Kangaroo ransomware does not provide any particular information on the demanded ransom price in the ransom note as all of the further details should be given after contacting the developers via email. However, the ransom price can vary anywhere from fifty dollars to thousands. Take a look at the entire ransom note in order to be able to recognize it:

All your data has been encrypted.

Contact by Email for data recovery.
————————————-

Email : [email protected]
Your ID : SD8AB642DUS

————————————-

WARNING: If you don’t contact in 72 hours, contact from a different email provider

————————————-

However, Kangaroo ransomware is likely to ask for a ransom transfer in Bitcoin and the malicious actors might provide you with a Bitcoin wallet address via email. Cryptocurrency payments are very popular between developers as they allow the entire process to remain secret and anonymous.

Continuously, Kangaroo ransomware can modify the Windows Registry and Task Manager sections after successful infiltration into the computer system. The malware might be able to execute itself whenever the Windows machine is booted. Also, it can insert a function that allows scanning the entire system for encryptable files in certain time periods.

Kangaroo virus – ransomware that gets delivered via hacked RDP or phishing email messages and their malicious attachments

In addition, Kangaroo ransomware can delete the Shadow Volume Copies of encrypted files by running specific PowerShell commands. This way the malware developers decrease the victims’ chances of recovering locked data by employing other software. However, you still should not rush to pay the demanded ransom price as there is a big risk of getting scammed.

Kangaroo ransomware virus might not come alone to your computer system. You should be aware that such infections make the infected machine vulnerable to other parasites. As a result, you can end up with a Trojan virus on your computer that can result in the loss of valuable data, monetary thefts, damage to software and computer system.

Kangaroo ransomware removal should help you to solve the problem related to the risk of additional malware infections. The sooner you remove the virus, the better it will be for your computer system. For this process, you should employ only reliable antimalware software, otherwise, the task might be very hard to handle.

When you remove Kangaroo ransomware from your Windows computer, you should search for possible damage. If you find any corrupted areas, try repairing them with software such as Reimage Reimage Cleaner . Continuously, go to the end of this article where you will find data recovery methods some of which might appear to be helpful for you.

The first Kangaroo ransomware version includes an advanced operation module

This virtual parasite aims to have a bit more complex module than others of its kind. Once the malware accesses the operating system via hacked RDP and appears on the machine, it displays a lock screen that prevents numerous users from using their computers until they transfer the demanded price or eliminate the cyber threat.^[3] Kangaroo ransomware virus is able to complete such a task by disabling Explorer processes and deactivating the Windows Task Manager.

Kangaroo ransomware virus mimics a legal notice and displays it as a ransom note before the infected users aim to log in to their computer systems. This way the cybercriminals are assured that the victims will spot the message before taking any further actions. In order to succeed in this process, the malware adds the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon “LegalNoticeText” registry key. Afterward, the ransomware virus initiates the encryption process by using the AES key to lock up all files and documents that are found on the infected device. 

Kangaroo virus adds the .crypted_file appendix to each filename of the encrypted components. Afterward, the malware displays the ransom note named (filename).Instructions_Data_Recovery.txt. Continuously, the parasite adds a lock screen that displays a fake warning about a critical system problem and data encryption where the [email protected]  cybercriminals’ contact email is added as a way to perform communication between the crooks and the victims.

Kangaroo ransomware virus has an older version that used to create a lock screen and display the ransom note before the user could take any further actions

Ransomware infections are distributed via hacked RDPs and email spam

According to NoVirus.uk specialists,^[4] a lot of ransomware versions are downloaded directly to your computer via Remote Desktop applications. Once cybercriminals hack the system, they locate your IP identification and encryption codes. Likewise, they infiltrate the system. Later on, the malware initiates the encryption process. 

Mostly, the hackers search for RDPs that include weak protection or none at all. So, it is very important that you secure your RDP with a strong and complex password that includes letters, numbers, and symbols. This way you decrease the chances of getting your RDP hacked by malicious actors.

Continuously, another popular method through which ransomware infections are delivered is known to be email spam. By using this technique, the cybercriminals drop legitimate-looking email messages to random users and attach the infectious payload to the email message itself in the form of an executable, PDF or word document.

The crooks often pretend to be from some reliable companies, healthcare, banking, shipping firms. If you ever receive an email message that you were not waiting for, you should not rush to open it as there might be malicious content planted inside it (in a form of a hyperlink) or attached to it. Scan all the attached files with an antimalware product before opening them just to make sure that they are not infected with malware.

Efficient Kangaroo elimination guide

To remove Kangaroo from the system, you have to employ strong and professional anti-malware software. If your computer is protected with free or weak antivirus software, it would not be able to wipe out the malware. Ransomware viruses are more complex cyber threats that might drop malicious components all over the computer system and fill locations such as the Task Manager and Windows Registry with malware-laden tasks and entries that also need to be deleted.

Note that if you are having a hard time with the Kangaroo removal process, you should boot up the computer in Safe Mode with Networking or use System Restore as shown in the instructions below. When you access one of these settings, you can continue with the elimination process properly. However, keep in mind that if you are interested in engaging with the malware removal manually, this type of technique might not work as you might skip crucial malicious components.

Keep in mind that any antivirus program cannot recover encrypted files. When you uninstall Kangaroo ransomware from your Windows computer system, you can restore your files from backups or use additional data recovery methods that are presented below. Also, if you want to search for possible system damage, employ products such as SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes. Then, use another repair tool such as Reimage Reimage Cleaner to fix any corrupted objects on your computer system.

Remove Kangaroo using Safe Mode with Networking

Activate Safe Mode with Networking on your Windows computer to diminish all malicious changes that were brought by the ransomware virus. If you need some help with this method, try the following guidelines.

• Windows 7 / Vista / XP
  1. Click Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
  2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
  3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list

  Windows 10 / Windows 8

  1. Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
  2. Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
  3. Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Networking in Startup Settings window.

• Log in to your infected account and start the browser. Download Reimage Reimage Cleaner or other legitimate anti-spyware program. Update it before a full system scan and remove malicious files that belong to your ransomware and complete Kangaroo removal.

If your ransomware is blocking Safe Mode with Networking, try further method.

Remove Kangaroo using System Restore

Sometimes, you might have trouble with the ransomware removal process due to the malicious tasks that have been planted on your Windows system. To disable the infection properly, use the below-provided instructing steps and boot your machine via System Restore.

Bonus: Recover your data

Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove Kangaroo from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.

Encrypted files might scare you at first as you are not able to access them properly anymore. Regarding this fact, you might be in a rush to pay the demanded ransom price. However, we recommend overthinking everything twice before initiating any actions. Do not risk to get scammed by the cybercriminals and try some of the following data recovery methods that might appear helpful to you.

If your files are encrypted by Kangaroo, you can use several methods to restore them:

Retrieve files using Data Recovery Pro.

Follow the instructions below and use the Data Recovery Pro tool to decrypt your files. It might not restore all of your files, but some of them will be rescued which is definitely better than losing all of them.

• Download Data Recovery Pro;
• Follow the steps of Data Recovery Setup and install the program on your computer;
• Launch it and scan your computer for files encrypted by Kangaroo ransomware;
• Restore them.

Try recovering files by using Windows Previous Versions feature.

If you had enabled the System Restore function before Kangaroo virus attacked your PC, you can use this data recovery method. If this function has not been enabled on your computer, this technique would not work for you.

• Find an encrypted file you need to restore and right-click on it;
• Select “Properties” and go to “Previous versions” tab;
• Here, check each of available copies of the file in “Folder versions”. You should select the version you want to recover and click “Restore”.

Try rescuing some of your files by using ShadowExplorer.

If the malware has not permanently damaged or deleted your files’ Shadow Volume Copies, you can definitely give this tool a try as you might have a chance of recovering some of your data.

• Download Shadow Explorer (http://shadowexplorer.com/);
• Follow a Shadow Explorer Setup Wizard and install this application on your computer;
• Launch the program and go through the drop down menu on the top left corner to select the disk of your encrypted data. Check what folders are there;
• Right-click on the folder you want to restore and select “Export”. You can also select where you want it to be stored.

Currently, there is no official decryptor available for Kangaroo ransomware.

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Kangaroo and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as Reimage Reimage Cleaner , SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes