CAT ransomware is a form of file-encrypting malware that belongs to a well-known VoidCrypt ransomware family. It is categorized as a highly destructive malicious program because the infection can have severe outcomes and is capable to infect all Microsoft’s Windows operating systems. If you want to know how to remove CAT ransomware from your Windows PC, then you’ve come to the right place. The following section of the post will give you all the information related to this newly discovered CAT ransomware.
CAT Ransomware: Everything You Need to Know
CAT is the name of a ransomware-type malicious program that encrypts all the documents/files found on the victim’s computer and demands ransom payment (typically, cryptocurrency) for the decryption tools.
Instead of directly encrypting files, it renames the affected files with the following pattern: original filename, email address of CAT developers, victim’s unique ID, and “.Cat” as the file extension. For instance, a file originally named “1.mp3” would appear as “1.mp3.[whilingo@gmail.com][******].Cat” after the encryption process.
After that, it drops an “info.txt” text file (ransom note) into every compromised folder on the victim’s computer. This file contains detailed instructions on how to contact the developers of CAT ransomware and other details related to the encryption.
The ransom-demanding message informs victims that their data has been encrypted with strong cryptography algorithms. In order to recover or regain access to the encrypted data, users are told to buy the decryption keys/software. The ransom note is concluded with the email address (whilingo@gmail.com) to establish contact with the developers of this type of ransomware.
How did the CAT ransomware get on my PC?
Below are some of the most common proliferation methods used by cybercriminals to distribute malware (ransomware included) on the targeted systems.
- Malspam emails
- Fake antivirus or software updating tools
- Social clickjacking
- Cracked versions of paid software
- Pornographic websites
- Torrents and peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing
- Untrustworthy download sources
How to remove CAT ransomware from my PC?
The first and obvious thing you should do to prevent ransomware from causing damage is to backup your valuable files to an external drive. However, if your computer is already infected, it is strongly recommended to run a full PC scan with a robust anti-malware tool. Download a dedicated anti-malware tool from a trusted developer and reinforce your PC’s defenses against deadly, modern-day malware threats like ransomware, spyware, Trojan viruses, worms, rootkits, etc.
