Un1que ransomware

Un1que ransomware is the file-locking virus that derives from another famous malware family – IEncrypt ransomware

Un1que ransomware is the cryptovirus that uses a popular strategy to target large companies and businesses. This is a typical target for the IEncrypt ransomware virus versions because the bigger the victim the bigger the ransom amount can be. But this particular version shows that everyday users can still get affected by such threats. Ransomware infects the machine and starts the encryption process immediately, so files chosen for the process can get affected as soon as possible. Once that is done, each image, document, video, or audio file receives the .un1que file marker that distinguishes encrypted files from non-affected data. However, such infections, in most cases, encode tons of personal data and leave only system files un-encrypted.

Nevertheless, the Un1que ransomware virus damages such files with additional processes that get to be launched in the background. It manages to affect particular security functions, features that could be helpful for data recovery or virus removal. This threat can install programs, disable the ones that already run on the machine, or install secondary malware payload on the already infected system, so it damages even more than the encryption does. 

Even though previous versions of the same family only targeted companies and businesses, Un1que ransomware appears to also spread on the systems of simple users. The main target still remains companies al over the globe. Once it gets on the system and those photos, documents, videos, databases, and other files get encrypted, the ransom message file appears on the desktop and in some of the folders with encoded data.

Un1que ransomware virus developers write their message in un1que_readme.txt file that contains particular contact emails and claims that there are no other options besides paying for the alleged decryption tool. To determine the particular ransom amount and receive further instructions, people need to contact those criminals as soon as possible until those files haven’t gotten permanently damaged.

Typical Un1que ransom note:

Hello Unique Group.

Your network was hacked and encrypted.

No free decryption software is available on the web.

Email us at [email protected] (or) [email protected] to get the ransom amount.

Keep our contacts safe. Disclosure can lead to impossibility of decryption.

Please, use your company name as the email subject.

TAIL: –

KEY: –

When people contact Un1que ransomware developers they need to indicate the name of their company and the particular key included in the ransom note. This ID is unique per each target and determines the victim for developers. This unique victims’ key is needed for the decryption too when researchers develop such tools or when the ransom gets paid, and the victim receives a tool capable of recovering those files.

However, no one that knows about cryptocurrency extortion-based viruses can offer to pay for these criminals behind the dangerous Un1que ransomware virus. Experts^[2] in various countries claim that there is no reason to pay the demand because criminals cannot guarantee that the decryption tool is going to reach you after that. In most cases, even large governments and companies stay away from such options.^[3]
Un1que ransomware virus is the threat that marks files using .un1que appendix, hence the name of the virus.

Un1que ransomware virus is the threat that marks files using .un1que appendix, hence the name of the virus.

The best option when dealing with ransomware is to get an anti-malware tool and run a proper Un1que ransomware removal process. Especially, when it is known that many AV engines can detect^[4] this threat and other related programs associated with the same family. An important thing to note is the issue of detection names. You can see that many of the engines find safe malware malicious but indicates specific names. This is due to unique databases of threats, so rely on results and malicious detection, not the specific name:

• Trojan.Generic.D1F79138;
• Win32.Trojan.Delshad.Dwiw;
• W32.Ransom.Bitpaymer;
• Trojan.Encoder.28586;
• etc.

You need to remove Un1que ransomware regardless of the particular name. The best way to remove the threat like this is to get a professional anti-malware program. This is a powerful malware that targets large networks of businesses, so it can be persistent enough to avoid detection and security tools. Make sure to choose an official source for the tool if you decide to get a new program. 

You should reboot the machine in a Safe Mode before you run the anti-malware tool on the machine to eliminate Un1que ransomware. This way, malware can be found easier and deleted from the computer fully. Also, remember about all the changes threat makes on the system and get proper repair tools like Reimage Reimage Cleaner that could find and fix affected files and repair things like registry entries. 

Since Un1que ransomware interacts with the system and damages such functions like file or system recovery or startup, you need to take the settings back to normal, so the virus is no longer accessing removable storage devices or network shares and cannot create additional processes or install programs. As for file recovery, the best option is to get files from backups on external devices or cloud services. This is how you can replace encoded files with safe ones without causing additional damage. If you don’t have that option – read below the article.  
Un1que ransomware – cryptovirus that targets users on a global scale and makes their files unavailable to have a reason for the demand of cryptocurrency.

Un1que ransomware – cryptovirus that targets users on a global scale and makes their files unavailable to have a reason for the demand of cryptocurrency.

Social engineering strategies included in ransomware spreading campaigns

Email messages and hacker-controlled sites get employed for spreading the payload of cryptovirus globally. This is how threat actors can target companies and businesses at the same time as everyday users – everyone receives emails. Visitors get confused into thinking that the message is legitimate and sent from an institution or company.

Emails include either link to a malicious website where the payload is triggered and dropped after interaction with the content or the file directly attached to the email itself, so the person needs to download the document and open it on the machine. Then additional pop-up encourages the victim to enable malicious macros or different payload dropper. 

Infected files with ransomware payload also get uploaded in packages with pirated software on torrent sites and file-sharing services. You cannot notice the infection this way, especially when you choose wrong installation methods that allow every application or file included to get loaded on the system.

Pay attention to emails you receive, look for red flags, do not trust ransom senders. Also, rely on proper software providers, do not pirate or download cheats, cracks of games or software. This is the only way to avoid malware. As for companies and businesses – data backups and secure networks should be a priority.

Terminate the Un1que cryptovirus and repair the damage

Un1que ransomware removal is not the process that could be achieved manually and quickly. Remember that this malware includes modules that allow the virus to keep persistent on the infected machine and avoid detections bu injecting existing processes with malicious codes and creating additional entries in registry or memory.

There are a few additional things about Un1que ransomware virus that should be indicated: malware can load data-stealers on the system, and obtain information about the device, steal other files with personal and useful information. Since this threat can get on the network of a company, such devices may store crucial information.

Make sure to remove Un1que ransomware before it is too late, and the threat hasn’t loaded secondary payloads or malware on the machine. This is how you avoid permanent damage. Rely on security and system tools like Reimage Reimage Cleaner , SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner, or Malwarebytes and clean the machine fully before recovering data. 

Remove Un1que using Safe Mode with Networking

Reboot the machine in Safe Mode with Networking and then run the AV tool to delete Un1que ransomware from the system

• 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 Un1que removal.

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

Remove Un1que using System Restore

System Restore feature is helpful for Un1que ransomware removal because it can restore the machine in a previous state when the virus was not active yet

Bonus: Recover your data

Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove Un1que from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.

If your files are encrypted by Un1que, you can use several methods to restore them:

Data Recovery Pro is the option for people who don’t have particular file backups

Try Data Recovery Pro for your files encrypted by Un1que ransomware or accidentally erased data

• 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 Un1que ransomware;
• Restore them.

Windows Previous Versions is the method allowing the file recovery after Un1que ransomware virus attack

When you enable System Restore, you can choose Windows Previous Versions as a method for file restoring

• 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”.

ShadowExplorer is the feature of an operating system that allows users to restore encoded files

This is the alternate file restoring method that can work for encoded data when Un1que ransomware is not affecting Shadow Volume Copies

• 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.

Decryption is not possible yet

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Un1que and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as Reimage Reimage Cleaner , SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes