Home Malware Programs Ransomware ‘.him0m File Extension’ Ransomware

‘.him0m File Extension’ Ransomware

Posted: December 21, 2015

Threat Metric

Threat Level: 10/10
Infected PCs: 14
First Seen: December 21, 2015
Last Seen: April 25, 2020
OS(es) Affected: Windows

The '.him0m File Extension' Ransomware is a file encryptor; a Trojan that modifies your files with a data-scrambling algorithm that makes them temporarily unopenable. Even though the primary point of such a threat campaign is to ransom your files for money, malware researchers find it more efficient and affordable to use alternative means of restoring any lost files. Just as with all other high-level threats, deleting the '.him0m File Extension' Ransomware is a task to leave to your anti-malware programs, after which any data recovery can proceed.

An Extension You Never Want to See on Your Files

Recent campaigns from threats like the XRTN Ransomware, .vvv File Extension Ransomware and, now, the '.him0m File Extension' Ransomware show that threat authors are hoping that PC owners pay for more than their presents this Christmas season. Like the other types of file encryptors seen so far, the '.him0m File Extension' Ransomware scans your hard drives for files of specific formats, encrypts them, and delivers a ransom message for their theoretically safe return to their original formats.

The range of different files types being targeted is non-finalized, although there is no current evidence for the '.him0m File Extension' Ransomware targeting files that are essential to the infected PC's operating system. Besides encrypting the chosen files, the '.him0m File Extension' Ransomware also appends the titular '.him0m' type to them, which makes them visually identifiable without changing their actual formats. Victims of these attacks should note that changing the file name by removing the added extension is not a solution capable of reversing the data encryption, which rearranges fundamental file data (similar to a .ZIP archive).

Besides its actual attack, the '.him0m File Extension' Ransomware also deposits an image-based ransom message on your PC, and may lock your desktop to display this image. Its emphasis on using the Bitmessage client for all ransom communications shows how threat administrators are continuing to use peer-to-peer technology to obfuscate any attempts to track them.

Cutting Off the Extension of Ransomware Crime into Your Computer

Although the '.him0m File Extension' Ransomware shows many, basic characteristics in common with other file encrypting Trojans malware researchers haven't confirmed any association between this threat and past Trojans. The wide availability of ransomware creation kits in the threat industry does point to the '.him0m File Extension' Ransomware's 'business' model being one that's likely to continue being seen in the future, regardless of whether or not the '.him0m File Extension' Ransomware continues its development.

Protecting your files from the '.him0m File Extension' Ransomware doesn't require paying its ransom, and malware researchers typically find paying third parties an unreliable means of resolving their attacks. A '.him0m File Extension' Ransomware attack also may delete any local backups that are available. However, cloud services and removable storage drives can offer safe means of preserving your files and restoring them once you've deleted the '.him0m File Extension' Ransomware.

Although the '.him0m File Extension' Ransomware's distribution model is still under analysis, past file encryptors have favored online tactics for installing themselves, such as fraudulent e-mail attachments and concealed social networking links.

Technical Details

File System Modifications

Tutorials: If you wish to learn how to remove malware components manually, you can read the tutorials on how to find malware, kill unwanted processes, remove malicious DLLs and delete other harmful files. Always be sure to back up your PC before making any changes.

The following files were created in the system:



file.exe File name: file.exe
Size: 7.4 MB (7408128 bytes)
MD5: d41bf45aca8314d48f43fef0b682ed3b
Detection count: 7
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: April 25, 2020

Registry Modifications

The following newly produced Registry Values are:

Regexp file mask%allusersprofile%\encryptedfiles.eco
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