Overview Of Abyss Ransomware
Abyss Ransomware emerged in March 2023, which aggressively targeted VMware ESXi environments. It encrypts all of your data and adds the ".Abyss" extension to the file names. Additionally, this ransomware changes the desktop wallpaper and creates a ransom note called "WhatHappend.txt". An example of how it modifies file names: it changes "1.jpg" to "1.jpg.Abyss", "2.png" to "2.png.Abyss", and so on. It is a multi-faceted extortion group that hosts a TOR-based website where victims are listed with their compromised data if they fail to interact with the threat actor's demands. In January 2023, cybercriminals “infoleak222” posted on now-closed breach forums that linked victim data that overlapped with data also posted on his website.
Threat Summary Of Abyss Ransomware
| Name | Abyss Ransomware |
| Threat Type | Ransomware, Crypto Virus, File-Locking Virus |
| Threat Level | High |
| Encrypted Files Extension | .Abyss |
| Ransom Note Name | WhatHappened.txt, Desktop Wallpaper |
| Decryptor Available | Yes |
| Attacker’s Contact | Tor website |
| Distribution Methods | Spam email attachments, pirated or copied software or freeware, torrent websites, malicious advertisements, phishing sites, etc. |
| Symptoms | All your files like photos, videos, documents, etc. have the ".Abyss" extension and you can't open them. |
| Damages | This ransomware will encrypt all of your data by adding a “.Abyss” extension to the file names and demand a ransom amount for the decryption key. |
Where Does Abyss Ransomware Target?
Abyss ransomware campaigns have targeted multiple industries, including finance, manufacturing, information technology, and healthcare. Based on postings from the group's website, its primary targets are in the United States, where the medical, manufacturing, and technology sectors are being attacked the most.
How Does Abyss Ransomware Infect Your Computer?
Abyss Ransomware mostly infiltrates your system without your permission or knowledge. It gets inside your system when you unknowingly download and install applications or files from untrusted sources such as unofficial websites, P2P networks, third-party downloaders, etc. Another way to infect your system is to take advantage of vulnerabilities in the software or operating system. When you neglect to update your software, cybercriminals can exploit known vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access and inject this type of malware. Additionally, it can infiltrate your system through the use of pirated software or freeware, cracking tools, key generators, and malicious advertisements. Therefore you need to be careful and adopt cyber security measures to prevent these types of infections.
Abyss Ransomware Removal Guide
There are several techniques and processes that you can use to remove this ransomware from your computer, including manual removal process and through software. However, manual removal can be a lengthy and complex process as it requires top-level IT skills. So if you want to remove Abyss Ransomware from your computer in a simple way, simply click on the link below and follow the mentioned instructions.
Best Offer (For Windows)
Abyss Ransomware can be creepy PC threat that may keep on running in background by hiding its files on computers. For complete and hassle free removal of this malware, we suggest users to try Spyhunter antimalware scanner to check if the program can help you getting rid of this virus.
Kindly Note *Free Remover allows you, subject to a 48-hour waiting period, one remediation and removal for results found. Spyhunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and more details about Free Remover
Best Offer (For Macintosh) If you are a Mac user and Abyss Ransomware has affected it, then you can download free antimalware scanner for Mac here to check if the program works for you.
Details of Antimalware with User’s Guide
Step 1 Remove Abyss Ransomware using “Safe Mode with Networking”
Step 2 Delete Abyss Ransomware using “System Restore”
Step 1 Remove Abyss Ransomware using “Safe Mode with Networking”
Windows XP and Windows 7 users:
First of all Reboot the PC in “Safe Mode”. For this users need to Click on “Start” option and then continuously Tap on F8 during the start process. Then a “Windows Advanced Option” menu will appear on the screen. Now Choose “Safe Mode with Networking” from the listed options.
This will open a new Windows homescreen and your PC or work-station will be working on “Safe Mode with Networking”.
For Windows 8
First Go to Start Screen. Now type “Advanced” after selecting settings within the searched results Within the “General PC Settings” option, Select “Advanced startup” option. Then click on the “Restart Now” option. This will boot work-station to “Advanced Startup Option Menu”. Now Press on “Troubleshoot” and then “Advanced options” button. Then under “Advanced Option Screen”, You need to press on “Startup Settings”. Now again, click on “Restart” button. This will restart PC or Work-station with “Startup Setting” screen. You need to tap F5 to boot in Safe Mode in Networking.
For Windows 10
First of all click on Windows logo by clicking on the “Power” icon. This will open a new menu. Select “Restart” by constantly keeping “Shift” button pressed on keyboard. Once the new Window open Select on “Troubleshoot” as advanced option. Within the startup settings users need to press on “Restart” by clicking on F5 button of the keyboard.
Step:2 How To Delete Abyss Ransomware using System Restore
For this you need to log in on the PC which is compromised by Abyss Ransomware. Now open any browser and download legit anti-malware software. Once installed you need to undergo complete system scan. Thereafter remove the infected and suspicious entries which are detected.
Best Offer (For Windows)
Abyss Ransomware can be creepy PC threat that may keep on running in background by hiding its files on computers. For complete and hassle free removal of this malware, we suggest users to try Spyhunter antimalware scanner to check if the program can help you getting rid of this virus.
Kindly Note *Free Remover allows you, subject to a 48-hour waiting period, one remediation and removal for results found. Spyhunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and more details about Free Remover
Best Offer (For Macintosh) If you are a Mac user and Abyss Ransomware has affected it, then you can download free antimalware scanner for Mac here to check if the program works for you.
Suppose if you are unable to start PC in “Safe Mode with Networking”, you need not worry. Try “System Restore” Process
Continuously tap F8 Key during “Startup” and then “Advanced Option” menu will appear. Now from the given list of option you need to select “Safe Mode with Command Prompt” and hit on Enter button.
Within new open window of command prompt, type “cd restore” and then click “Enter”
Now type rstrui.exe and then press “ENTER”
In the new opened Window Click on “Next” option.
You can select and choose any of the “Restore Points” and click on Next (This would restore your PC to earlier period before Abyss Ransomware invasion when it was working fine.)
Press on “Yes” in new opened Window.
As soon as your PC gets restored to its previous time, download the suggested anti-malware tool and perform a deep scanning in order to remove Abyss Ransomware infected files if still present on the the work-station.
If you want to restore each file separately which is infected by this ransomware, kindly use “Windows Previous Version” feature. This step is most effective whenever “System Restore Function” is enabled on the PC or work-station.
Important Note: Some variants of Abyss Ransomware delete the “Shadow Volume Copies” so in such cases this feature may not work all the time and will work in specific cases only.
Know How To Restore Encrypted Files Individually
If you want to restore an individual file, you need to right click on it and then go to “Properties”. Now Select “Previous Version” tab. then Choose a “Restore Point” and finally click on “Restore” option.
If you want to access the files encrypted by Abyss Ransomware, alternatively you can try “Shadow Explorer”. To know more details on this application, Click here.
Important: Data Encryption Ransomware are very devastating and hence it is always better to take necessary precautions to avoid any attack on your work-station or PC. We recommend using a powerful anti-malware tool for real time protection. “SpyHunter”, “Enigma group policy objects” are enabled in the registries so that it can block harmful infections such as Abyss Ransomware.
Also, it is highly important to get a very unique feature called “Fall Creators Update” installed on Windows 10. This would ensure to offer “Controlled Folder Access” feature to block any kind of encryption of the data files. Using this feature all the files stored in their default locations are safe.
How To Recover Files Encrypted by Abyss Ransomware
You would have understood now that how you can remove the scripts and payloads of personal files that got encrypted due to Abyss Ransomware in order to protect your personal files which were fortunately not damaged or encrypted till now. If you are unable to retrieve the locked files, using “System Restore” and “Shadow Volume Copies” you must try using a Data Recovery Software.
Step 1: Download Data Recovery Software
Step 2: Double click to execute the installer file on your PC
Step 3: Click to Accept to agree the terms and agreement.
Step 4: Once installed, this program will be ready to execute. Now select the file you want to recover
Step 5: Select the drive on which the recovery tool is to be run upon. Then click on Scan option
Step 6: This will show Scan in progress bar
