Do you know what Ogre Ransomware is?
Ogre Ransomware, also spelt Ogre RansomWare, is a piece of malware that should encrypt various files so that victims would feel the urge to pay the money required in its ransom warning. Research has shown that the Ogre Ransomware is at its developmental stage, which means that the infection lacks some features typical of highly dangerous ransomware threats. Nevertheless, the Ogre Ransomware should be removed from the computer. The very fact that it is present on your PC implies that the operating system needs adequate protection against Internet threats, so you should also considering taking some measures to fight off different types of infections.
The Ogre Ransomware spreads via malicious emails, meaning that the malware is downloaded when the victim opens the email attachment. There are many other ways to spread malware, so it is not enough to be careful only with email. It is also important to pay close attention to software installation processes so that no unwanted optional programs are installed. Needless to say, it is essential to avoid questionable software distribution websites, where you can find fake software aimed at damaging your computer or stealing valuable data.
There is no chance you would not notice the Ogre Ransomware on your computer since this infection loads a red full-screen window containing instructions how to restore access to supposedly encrypted files. The red ransomware window can be close by clicking on the exit button. When analyzing the Ogre Ransomware, no encryption has been observed, but there is a chance that the infection could be developed into a version which is indeed capable of locking users out of their data. The extension used by the malware is considered to be .ogre.
Ogre Ransomware screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
Unlike many other damaging ransomware infections, the Ogre malware demands only €20 in Bitcoin, which is a relatively low ransom fee, as compared to, for example, a fee of $300-600 demanded by the notorious WanaCry Decrypt0r ransomware. Usually, the sums demanded start from around 100 U.S. dollars. Law enforcement advises victims against paying the money demanded since every payment submission is encouraging attackers to persist in developing new and more damaging malware programs.
Sometimes attackers attempt to convince their victims that all the locked files will be decrypted by agreeing to decrypt a few files of the victim's choice. Such deceptive offers should be disregarded since there is little chance that someone behind the infection would be willing to provide the victim with a decryption key or decryptor. The best way to prevent such an unpleasant episode is to keep the system protected and make back-up copies regularly.
Another apparent feature showing that the Ogre Ransomware is not a complete is the fact that the bitcoin wallet address is missing. In order to make a money transaction in bitcoins, the receiver's wallet address must be known to the sender. In the present case, such information is not provided. Fortunately, there is no need to pay the ransom demanded as it is enough to remove the Ogre Ransomware. The sooner you remove the infection, the sooner you prevent the attackers from updating the version running on your PC.
The Ogre Ransomware also fails to create some malicious files and an additional .txt file with more detailed instructions, which is a typical feature of recent ransomware infections. Hence, the manual removal of Ogre Ransomware becomes less complicated since only recently downloaded files bearing random names have to be deleted. Without any doubt, it is worth scanning the system to make sure that no other malicious files are running in the background.
How to remove the Ogre Ransomware
- Delete questionable files found on the desktop.
- Check the Downloads folder and other location to which downloads are saved.
- Empty the Recycle bin after removing questionable files.
In non-techie terms:
The Ogre malware is a computer infection that imitates ransomware. The threat is seemingly at its test stage since no encryption has been found when analyzing it. Moreover, some other defining features are missing. Nevertheless, one day the Ogre Ransomware might be launched as a complex threat, so not only should you remove it from the computer but also take preventative measures to avert other malware attacks.