This is a blog post, created to inform you what is are .promorad2 files and how to remove the .codnat malware from your computer, plus how you can try and get .codnat files to open.
A ransomware virus, using the .codnat file extension was detected by researchers to belong to the STOP/DJVU ransomware family of viruses. The infection’s main goal is to render the files on your computer system to no longer be able to be opened. Then, the virus leaves a _readme.txt ransom note file, where the hackers behind it inform and extort the owner of the victim computer that they must pay ransom to get their encrypted files to work once again. If your computer has been infected by the .codnat file extension ransomware, we strongly suggest you to read this article thoroughly.
| Threat Name | .codnat Ransomware |
| Category | Ransomware/Cryptovirus. |
| Main Activity | Infects the computer after which encrypts important documents and holds them hostage until a ransom is paid. |
| Signs of Presence | Files are encrypted with .codnat extension and users are extorted to pay ransom to get the data to work again. |
| Spread | Via malicious e-mail spam and set of infection tools. |
| Detection+Removal | DOWNLOAD REMOVAL TOOL FOR .codnat Ransomware |
| File Recovery | Download Data Recovery Software, to see how many files encrypted by .codnat Ransomware ransomware you will be able to recover. |
The .codnat Ransomware virus has been spotted using the its own file extension. The .codnat Ransomware virus also communicates via TOR through which it sends a decrypter after the ransom has been paid. In case you are a victim of the new .codnat Ransomware virus we advise you to read this article and learn how to remove the virus files and try to decode encrypted objects.
.codnat Ransomware Virus – What Does It Do
Being a variant of the ransomware family, which exists in a lot of virus families, the .codnat Ransomware ransomware has been reported to drop one or more executable files in the %AppData% Windows directory.
After doing so, the .codnat Ransomware virus may modify the Windows registry entries, more specifically the Shell sub-key with the following location:
- HKLM/Software/Microsoft/WindowsNT/CurrentVersion/Winlogon/Shell
Then, the .codnat Ransomware virus may also modify the Run registry key to run the executable file(s) in the %AppData% directory. The key is with the following path:
- HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run/
This may result in the virus file booting alongside the Windows start-up process.
.codnat Ransomware also drops a ransom note file with a ransom message and places it somewhere easy to locate. Then, the .codnat Ransomware virus may attack files with the following file types to encrypt them:
- Videos.
- Images.
- Documents.
- Audio files.
- Archives.
After .codnat Ransomware encrypts the files, the virus leaves the files no longer able to be opened and likely appends a custom file extenson to them.
.codnat Ransomware Ransomware – How Did I Get Infected
The infection process of .codnat Ransomware is conducted primarily via spammed e-mails that have deceptive messages embedded within them. Such messages may pretend to be sent from services such as PayPal, UPS, FedEx and others. They may contain attachments that pretend to be invoices and other fake type of files. Other social engineering techniques include:
- Fake buttons and pictures as if the e-mails are sent from a social media site, like LinkedIn.
- Fraudulent PayPal links.
- Links to GoogleDrive and fake e-mails that look the same as if they are sent from Google.
Other infection tools may also include the usage of torrent websites and other third-party sites to upload fake updates, fake installers as well as other fraudulent executables.
Which Files May Get Affected by .codnat Ransomware Ransomware?
.codnat Ransomware Ransomware serves as a typical file-encoding Trojan. As soon as it gets access to your machine, this cryptomalware will perform a quick scan to find the paths to all of your personal files. The targeted data includes all MS Office documents, your precious photos and videos, your databases, the program files, etc. Only a few files such as the ones related to the core Windows processes may be spared. Once the operation ends, you will notice a threatening lockdown message on your desktop and the default file extension will become ‘.dll’. The cyber criminals give the victims only several days pay the ransom of Bitcoins, or else they threaten to delete forever the decryption key. The purpose of this frightening message is to shock the person and make him act irrationally. The victims often feel as the only solution to the issue is to pay the money. In reality, all specialists unanimously recommend not to follow the instructions of the hackers for several different reasons.How to Protect Yourself from .codnat Ransomware Ransomware?
This ransomware may cause huge and often irreversible damage to the affected machines. Fortunately, you can prevent the infection as long as you are vigilant during your online sessions. This Trojan isn’t known to use some unique methods to infiltrate the defences of your computer. The most probable cause for .codnat Ransomware Ransomware to enter is via spam emails. You may receive a message with a shocking content, encouraging you to either click on a malicious link or download a compromised file. The hackers have a whole arsenal of tools to manipulate you into doing so. For example, they may claim to represent an international bank or some popular shipping company. If they address you without mentioning your name, the email is probably a scam and you should ignore it. Unfortunately, if you simply click or download the infected file, your action will most likely be enough to activate the harmful codes of .codnat Ransomware Ransomware. In this case, only a credible security solution may be able to prevent the forthcoming damage.
Preparation before removal of .codnat Ransomware:
1.Make sure to backup your files.
2.Make sure to have this instructions page always open so that you can follow the steps.
3.Be patient as the removal may take some time.
Step 1: Reboot your computer in Safe Mode:
Step 2: Cut out .codnat Ransomware in Task Manager
Step 3: Eliminate .codnat Ransomware‘s Malicious Registries.
For most Windows variants:
Step 4: Scan for and remove all virus files, related to .codnat Ransomware and secure your system.
If you are in Safe Mode, boot back into normal mode and follow the steps below
It is advisable to run a free scan before committing to the full version. You should make sure that the malware is detected by SpyHunter first.
Step 5:Recover files encrypted by the .codnat Ransomware Ransomware.
Method 1: Using Shadow Explorer. In case you have enabled File history on your Windows Machine one thing you can do is to use Shadow Explorer to get your files back. Unfortunately some ransomware viruses may delete those shadow volume copies with an administrative command to prevent you from doing just that.
Method 2: If you try to decrypt your files using third-party decryption tools. There are many antivirus providers who have decrypted multiple ransomware viruses the last couple of years and posted decryptors for them. Chances are if your ransomware virus uses the same encryption code used by a decryptable virus, you may get the files back. However, this is also not a guarantee, so you might want to try this method with copies of the original encrypted files, because if a third-party program tampers with their encrypted structure, they may be damaged permanently. Most of the currently available decryptors for ransomware viruses can be seen if you visit the NoMoreRansom project – a project that is the result of combined efforts of researchers worldwide to create decryption software for all ransomware viruses. Simply go there by clicking on the following LINK and find your ransomware version decrypter and try it, but always remember to do a BACKUP first.
Method 3: Using Data Recovery tools. This method is suggested by multiple experts in the field. It can be used to scan your hard drive’s sectors and hence scramble the encrypted files anew as if they were deleted. Most ransomware viruses usually delete a file and create an encrypted copy to prevent such programs for restoring the files, but not all are this sophisticated. So you may have a chance of restoring some of your files with this method. Here are several data recovery programs which you can try and restore at least some of your files: