TapPIF Ransomware

The TapPIF Ransomware is a threatening program that encrypts files on the affected computer. Cybersecurity research showed that it also is known under the names TapRiF and TAF.F. This ransomware threat spreads through spam e-mail messages, untrusty software download pages on the Internet, fake updates, cracking tools, infected advertisements and other similar methods of malware propagation.

Once the TapPIF Ransomware enters a computer, it starts encrypting specific files, preventing the victim from accessing these files. The TapPIF Ransomware appends the extension '.ehre" to all locked files. The ransom note will be found in a text file named 'note.txt" and in an executable file named '@Please_Read_Me@.exe." The executable file opens a window on the infected computer's desktop that contains the ransom note and explains what has happened. The user is asked to pay an unspecified amount of money in exchange for a decryption key. However, to do that, the user must download a file from www.dropbox.com, which contains instructions on how to pay.

Unfortunately, it is common for ransomware operators not to send a valid decryption key, even when their victims pay the required ransom, so experts do not recommend to communicate with these criminals.

TapPIF Spam Campaign

TapPIF is being used as part of a spam project attacking users around the world. The spam campaign uses phishing emails sent by large networks and web servers. The messages used spoofed versions of legitimate services and big companies. They also use a similar style and format as official messages from those companies to better trick readers.

People who read the emails are motivated to open them, and the attached file, because they believe them to be genuine. The problem is that the attached file is a fake document or spreadsheet with macros that download and install the virus. In some cases, the infected file can download the virus without any interaction from the user.

In the event of a macro-enabled document, users are asked to enable Macros when they open the file. They are told they need Macros to be able to read the content of the file correctly. Activating macros starts the infection process. One of the first things the virus does is remove shadow volume copies of files, making it more difficult for victims to restore lost and damaged data. The virus also eliminates running processes to get access to more computer resources.

What we Know About TapPIF Ransomware

The ransomware uses a code that it injects into explorer.exe, the essential Windows process. Windows Explorer is one of the programs used to maintain desktop computer processes and is needed for Windows to function normally. The virus achieves two things by messing with the Windows Explorer code;

• Evading Antivirus Software

  The virus hides in the Explorer process to protect itself against antivirus software. These software are unlikely to flag Explorer as a harmful threat when it is so vital to the standard operation of a computer.

• System Control

  By infecting Explorer, the virus can take control of the operating system. This enables the virus to assume management privileges and perform any action it wants.

TapPIF uses a virus process to find personal information on the user. This information can be used for a range of financial crimes and identity theft, among other problems. It also allows hackers to track and manage victims. They can use personal information to create unique IDs to identify individual hacked computers.

TapPIF ransomware performs other tasks to establish a consistent presence on the machine – it will automatically run whenever the user starts up their Computer. The virus makes changes to the Windows Computer Registry in order to do this, and perform other tasks. These tasks are sure to cause some performance issues with the Computer, including an inability to access some features and unexpected errors. TapPIF also removes system backups on the Computer to make it more difficult for victims to restore their lost data.

The ransomware gets to work encrypting a range of files, including images, documents, videos, audio files, and databases. The ransomware expedites the process by only encrypting a small block of information in the file, rather than the whole file.

The virus creates a ransom note, as shown below.

Ooops! Your Some Files Has Been Encrypted!
What Happened to My Computer?
Your Computer has been injected by TapRiF Trojans!
and Your Some Files Has Been Encrypted by it!
How to remove it?
You Need to pay to creator, but can\'t more text on this window,
So You Need to Going to
https://dropbox.com/7bdYTx98b6b to download file and read it to know how to pay.
If your is Low profit.
You can press button to decrypt some for free!
Pay Next?
If You Already have password,
Enter Your Password in Send Message to Creator,
and press button to decrypt all

Security researchers always recommend against paying the ransom demand. There is no guarantee that you will get the decryption key you pay for. It is also a bad idea to encourage them anyway. The best course of action would be to remove the virus using an anti-malware program and then restore lost data from an external backup.

How to Avoid Ransomware Infections

The most crucial step to avoiding ransomware infections is to avoid opening email attachments and links from unknown sources. Keep your programs and OS updated using official sources and tools. Don’t forget to install an antivirus solution and keep said antivirus solution updated so that it can find the latest threats. Last but not least, avoid downloading software from unofficial sources. Stick to official and legal sources.

The TapPIF Ransomware can be uninstalled from your system; however, the encrypted files only can be recovered from backups.