How to remove Dharma-Combo Ransomware and decrypt .combo or .cmb files

What is Dharma-Combo Ransomware

Combo Ransomware is new reincarnation of Dharma/Cezar/Crysis Ransomware family. The successor of Arrow and Bip Ransomware. This version appends complex extension, that ends with .combo or .cmb and contains e-mail address and unique ID. Combo Ransomware encrypts all sensitive files including documents, images, videos, databases, archives, project files, etc. Windows files stay untouched for stable operation. Combo Ransomware uses AES-256 encryption, which makes the victim’s files inaccessible without decryption key. Here is the list of extensions, that were used by this virus up to date:

• .id-{id}.[paymentbtc@firemail.cc].cmb
• .id-{id}.[bitpandacom@qq.com].combo
• .id-{id}.[combo@tutanota.de].combo
• .id-{id}.[taliferro.correa@aol.com].combo
• .id-{id}.[demassagaddison@aol.com].combo
• .id-{id}.[lok07@tuta.io].combo
• .id-{id}.[broodmother@cock.li].combo
• .id-{id}.[skynet45@cock.li].combo

{id} is randomly-generated 6-digit alphanumeric sequence, that is used as unique identification code for file decryption. Ransomware creates text file FILES ENCRYPTED.TXT in the folders with encrypted files. It contains following information:

All your files have been encrypted!
All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail skynet45@cock.li
Write this ID in the title of your message 1E857D00
In case of no answer in 24 hours write us to theese e-mails:skynet45@tutanota.com
You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the decryption tool that will decrypt all your files.
Free decryption as guarantee
Before paying you can send us up to 1 file for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 1Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.)
How to obtain Bitcoins
The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click 'Buy bitcoins', and select the seller by payment method and price.
hxxps://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins
Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:
hxxp://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/
Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.

From here we can see, that developers of Combo Ransomware demand $3500 ransom to be paid in BitCoins. However, often hackers don’t send any keys and it is not recommended to pay the ransom. As for today, decryption is not possible, however, you can attempt to decrypt files from backups or trying file recovery software. There is also chance of decryption after using methods explained in this article. Use this guide to remove Combo Ransomware and decrypt .combo or .cmb files in all versions of Windows.

How Combo Ransomware infected your PC

Combo Ransomware uses spam mailing with malicious .docx attachments. Such attachments have malicious macros, that runs when user opens the file. This macros downloads executable from the remote server, that, in its turn, starts encryption process. Virus can also use Remote Desktop services to infiltrate victim’s PCs. It is important to know, that this ransomware can encrypt mapped network drives, shared virtual machine host drives, and unmapped network shares. It is necessary to control access to network shares. After encryption, the shadow copies of the files are deleted by the command: vssadmin.exe vssadmin delete shadows /all /quiet. Virus assigns certain ID with the victims, that is used to name those files and supposedly to send decryption key. In order to prevent infection with this type of threats in future we recommend you to use SpyHunter 5 or Norton Antivirus.

Download Combo Ransomware Removal Tool

Download Removal Tool

To remove Combo Ransomware completely, we recommend you to use Norton Antivirus from Symantec. It detects and removes all files, folders and registry keys of Combo Ransomware.

How to remove Combo Ransomware manually

It is not recommended to remove Combo Ransomware manually, for safer solution use Removal Tools instead.

Combo Ransomware files:

Info.hta
{randomfilename}.exe
FILES ENCRYPTED.txt
DHL.exe

Combo Ransomware registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run "filename.exe" = %UserProfile%\AppData\Roaming\{randomfilename}.exe
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run "filename.exe" = %UserProfile%\AppData\Roaming\{randomfilename}.exe
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run "mshta.exe "%UserProfile%\AppData\Roaming\Info.hta"" = mshta.exe "%UserProfile%\AppData\Roaming\Info.hta"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run "mshta.exe "C:\Windows\System32\Info.hta"" = "mshta.exe "C:\Windows\System32\Info.hta""

How to decrypt and restore .combo or .cmb files

Use automated decryptors

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .combo or .cmb files. Download it here:

Download RakhniDecryptor

There is no purpose to pay the ransom, because there is no guarantee you will receive the key, but you will put your bank credentials at risk.

If you are infected with Combo Ransomware and removed it from your computer you can try to decrypt your files. Antivirus vendors and individuals create free decryptors for some crypto-lockers. To attempt to decrypt them manually you can do the following:

Use Stellar Phoenix Data Recovery Pro to restore .combo or .cmb files

1. Download Stellar Phoenix Data Recovery Pro.
2. Select location to scan for lost files and click Scan button.
3. Wait until Quick and Deep scans finish.
4. Preview found files and restore them.

Using Windows Previous Versions option:

1. Right-click on infected file and choose Properties.
2. Select Previous Versions tab.
3. Choose particular version of the file and click Copy.
4. To restore the selected file and replace the existing one, click on the Restore button.
5. In case there is no items in the list choose alternative method.

Using Shadow Explorer:

1. Download Shadow Explorer program.
2. Run it and you will see screen listing of all the drives and the dates that shadow copy was created.
3. Select the drive and date that you want to restore from.
4. Right-click on a folder name and select Export.
5. In case there are no other dates in the list, choose alternative method.

If you are using Dropbox:

1. Login to the DropBox website and go to the folder that contains encrypted files.
2. Right-click on the encrypted file and select Previous Versions.
3. Select the version of the file you wish to restore and click on the Restore button.

How to protect computer from viruses like Combo Ransomware in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

Famous antivirus brand ZoneAlarm by Check Point released a comprehensive tool, that will help you with active anti-ransomware protection, as an additional shield to your current protection. The tool provides Zero-Day protection against ransomware and allows you to recover files. ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware is compatible with all other antiviruses, firewalls, and security software except ZoneAlarm Extreme (already shipped with ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware) or Check Point Endpoint products. The killer features of this application are: automatic file recovery, overwrite protection that instantly and automatically recovers any encrypted files, file protection that detects and blocks even unknown encryptors.

Download ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

2. Back up your files

Regardless of success of protection against ransomware threats, you can save your files using simple online backup. Cloud services are quite fast and cheap nowadays. There is more sense using online backup, than creating physical drives, that can get infected and encrypted when connected to PC or get damaged from dropping or hitting. Windows 10 and 8/8.1 users can find pre-installed OneDrive backup solution from Microsoft. It is actually one of the best backup services on the market, and has reasonable pricing plans. Users of earlier versions can get acquainted with it here. Make sure to backup and sync most important files and folders in OneDrive.

3. Do not open spam e-mails and protect your mailbox

Malicious attachments to spam or phishing e-mails is most popular method of ransomware distribution. Using spam filters and creating anti-spam rules is good practice. One of the world leaders in anti-spam protection is MailWasher Pro. It works with various desktop applications, and provides very high level of anti-spam protection.

Download MailWasher Pro