How to remove GABUTS PROJECT Ransomware and decrypt .im back files

What is GABUTS PROJECT Ransomware

GABUTS PROJECT is a ransomware virus that encrypts system-stored data to extort money for its return. It does so by appending the .im back extension to each modified file. Files like music, videos, pictures, and documents will acquire the new extension and reset their original shortcut icons. Here is an example of how encrypted files will look like – 1.pdf.im back; 1.mp4.im back; 1.png.im back, 1.docx.im back, and so forth. After this, the virus features a pop-up window and creates the “gabuts project is back.txt” file containing ransom instructions.

The text is written in first person with requests to send 100 BTC for data decryption. This is exactly the price victims should send in order to restore the data. It is also mentioned this payment has to be done within 1 day after infection. To begin communication, victims should write to the pinned e-mail address. According to the text, there is also an option to decrypt 1 file by accessing the tor link. Unfortunately, nobody will pay the price of 100 Bitcoins (5,712,670$) unless it is a big corporation that lost extremely important data. Even if there is a more affordable price, it is still not recommended to pay it. Many cybercriminals tend to dump their victims and not send any promised tools back even after receiving the ransom. This is why the best way to recover your data risk-free is via backup copies. If you had them stored on external storage prior to the infection, then you can easily use them after deleting the virus. Third-party tools may contribute as well, but only if no backup copies are present. This is because no third-party tool has officially proved to be able to decrypt GABUTS PROJECT files with 100% guarantee. Nevertheless, we will leave information about the most effective and time-tested decryption tools that may help you approach successful decryption. Apart from recovering data, it is also important to delete the malicious infection that caused these problems. You will find instructions on “how” in our article below.

How GABUTS PROJECT Ransomware infected your computer

These are the ways your system could be infected with the ransomware virus – malicious e-mail spam letters (macros), trojans, fake set-ups (installers) designed to imitate the installation of legitimate software, backdoors, keyloggers, botnets, exploits, unprotected RDP configuration, and other less popular vectors. Many cybercriminals create fake updates or installers disguised as Adobe Flash Player or other popular software. They are often promoted via ads or buttons claiming your PC to be outdated or even infected. Therefore, they say you should download the necessary software to fix these issues. Never allow yourself to be baited into these tricks. They are nothing, but ways to deliver malware into your system. The same should be considered when talking about e-mail spam. This is another popular method of distributing malware. These e-mail letters contain malicious attachments (Microsoft Office files) with macros. Cybercriminals make their names (e.g. invoices, receipts, legal documents, etc.) very enticing to force or scare users into opening them. Recent versions of Microsoft Office have macros disabled by default. If this is a later version, malware developers will try to push you into enabling macros by showing some warnings or threats inside of the file. Based on this information, you should now be more educated about combating ransomware infections. Do not interact with content that was received from suspicious sources, even if they seem to be legitimate at first glance. You can follow our guide below to learn a couple of tips and install special anti-ransomware software with live protection to be protected against it.

1. Download GABUTS PROJECT Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .im back files
3. Recover encrypted files with Stellar Data Recovery Professional
4. Restore encrypted files with Windows Previous Versions
5. Restore files with Shadow Explorer
6. How to protect from threats like GABUTS PROJECT Ransomware

GABUTS PROJECT Ransomware files:


gabuts project is back.txt
{randomname}.exe


GABUTS PROJECT Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .im back files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .im back 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.

Dr.Web Rescue Pack

Famous antivirus vendor Dr. Web provides free decryption service for the owners of its products: Dr.Web Security Space or Dr.Web Enterprise Security Suite. Other users can ask for help in the decryption of .im back files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analyzing files will be performed free of charge and if files are decryptable, all you need to do is purchase a 2-year license of Dr.Web Security Space worth $120 or less. Otherwise, you don’t have to pay.

If you are infected with GABUTS PROJECT Ransomware and removed 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 Data Recovery Professional to restore .im back files

1. Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
2. Click Recover Data button.
3. Select type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
4. Choose location where you would like to restore files from and click Scan button.
5. Preview found files, choose ones you will restore and click Recover.

Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional

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 GABUTS PROJECT 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

As an additional way to save your files, we recommend online backup. Local storage, such as hard drives, SSDs, flash drives, or remote network storage can be instantly infected by the virus once plugged in or connected to. GABUTS PROJECT Ransomware uses some techniques to exploit this. One of the best services and programs for easy automatic online backup is iDrive. It has the most profitable terms and a simple interface. You can read more about iDrive cloud backup and storage here.

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

Malicious attachments to spam or phishing e-mails are the 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 a very high level of anti-spam protection.

Download MailWasher Pro