Pope/Vatican Ransomware

A recent case saw “Vatican” ransomware strike, renaming files to “filename.POPE” and displaying a multi-language ransom pop-up referencing the Vatican and biblical imagery. Though alarming, this strain appears more experimental—or even a joke—rather than profit-driven.

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Threat Overview

Vatican ransomware, also dubbed “.POPE file virus,” is part of the crypto‑locker family. It encrypts a wide variety of user documents, photos, and files, appending the .POPE extension. Unlike typical extortion malware, its creators likely did not design it to actually decrypt files post-payment.

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Key Details Table

Field	Details
Threat type	Ransomware / Crypto-locker
Encrypted extension	.POPE
Ransom note	Multi-language pop-up (English, Latin, Italian, German, Spanish, Polish)
Detection names	Avast: FileRepMalware, ESET: Python/Filecoder.BDN, Kaspersky: Trojan‑Ransom.Win32.Agent.bchj, MS: Trojan:Win32/Yomal!rfn
Symptoms	Inaccessible files (.POPE), ransom window displayed
Damage	Files encrypted; no guarantee of recovery
Distribution methods	Phishing emails (macro attachments), fake torrents, malicious ads
Severity	Moderate—hijacks data but lacks credible extortion
Removal tool	SpyHunter

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In-Depth Analysis

1. Infection Vector

Cybercriminals dispatch Vatican via deceptive channels: phishing emails containing infected attachments or links, counterfeit torrent downloads, or malicious advertising networks. Opening or activating these triggers the ransomware installation.

2. Behavioral Profile

• Encryption stage: Scans and encrypts targeted files, modifying names to include .POPE.
• Ransom pop-up: Presents a message steeped in religious rhetoric, implying file recovery via key purchase—but fails to deliver.
• Persistence: If left unchecked, it remains resident, posing threat to backups and other directories sans credential stores.

3. Risk Assessment

Though flawed in its extortion model, this malware still inflicts irreversible damage: encrypted data without decryption keys. It demands immediate containment and cleanup to prevent further file lockdown.

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Artifact: Ransom Note (Pop-up)

(Displayed across multiple languages – English, Latin, Italian, German, Spanish, Polish)
“Your files have been encrypted. To decrypt them, you must purchase a key…”
(Includes frequent Vatican and bible references; no payment mechanism confirmed.)

Manual Ransomware Removal Guide

Warning: Manual removal is complex and risky. If not done correctly, it can lead to data loss or incomplete removal of ransomware. Only follow this method if you are an advanced user. If unsure, proceed with Method 2 (SpyHunter Removal Guide).

Step 1: Disconnect from the Internet

1. Unplug your Ethernet cable or disconnect Wi-Fi immediately to prevent further communication with the ransomware’s command and control (C2) servers.

Step 2: Boot into Safe Mode

For Windows Users:

1. For Windows 10, 11:
   • Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and hit Enter.
   • Go to the Boot tab.
   • Check Safe boot and select Network.
   • Click Apply and OK, then restart your PC.
2. For Windows 7, 8:
   • Restart your PC and press F8 repeatedly before Windows loads.
   • Select Safe Mode with Networking and press Enter.

For Mac Users:

1. Restart your Mac and immediately press and hold the Shift key.
2. Release the key once you see the Apple logo.
3. Your Mac will start in Safe Mode.

Step 3: Locate and Terminate Malicious Processes

For Windows Users:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Look for suspicious processes (e.g., unknown names, high CPU usage, or random letters).
3. Right-click on the process and select End Task.

For Mac Users:

1. Open Activity Monitor (Finder > Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor).
2. Look for unusual processes.
3. Select the process and click Force Quit.

Step 4: Delete Malicious Files

For Windows Users:

1. Press Windows + R, type %temp%, and hit Enter.
2. Delete all files in the Temp folder.
3. Navigate to:
   • C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming
   • C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local
   • C:\Windows\System32
4. Look for suspicious files related to the ransomware (random file names, recently modified) and delete them.

For Mac Users:

1. Open Finder and go to Go > Go to Folder.
2. Type ~/Library/Application Support and delete suspicious folders.
3. Navigate to ~/Library/LaunchAgents and remove unknown .plist files.

Step 5: Remove Ransomware from Registry or System Settings

For Windows Users:

Warning: Incorrect changes in the Registry Editor can damage your system. Proceed with caution.

1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
2. Navigate to:
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software
3. Look for unfamiliar folders with random characters or ransomware-related names.
4. Right-click and select Delete.

For Mac Users:

1. Go to System Preferences > Users & Groups.
2. Click on Login Items and remove any suspicious startup items.
3. Navigate to ~/Library/Preferences and remove malicious .plist files.

Step 6: Restore System Using System Restore (Windows) or Time Machine (Mac)

For Windows Users:

1. Press Windows + R, type rstrui, and hit Enter.
2. Click Next, choose a restore point before the infection, and follow the prompts to restore your system.

For Mac Users:

1. Restart your Mac and hold Command + R to enter macOS Utilities.
2. Select Restore from Time Machine Backup.
3. Choose a backup prior to the ransomware infection and restore your system.

Step 7: Use a Decryption Tool (If Available)

• Visit No More Ransom (www.nomoreransom.org) and check if a decryption tool is available for your ransomware variant.

Step 8: Recover Files Using Backup

• If you have backups on an external drive or cloud storage, restore your files.

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Automatic Ransomware Removal Using SpyHunter

If manual removal seems too risky or complicated, using a reliable anti-malware tool like SpyHunter is the best alternative.

Step 1: Download SpyHunter

Download SpyHunter from the official link: Download SpyHunter

Or follow the official installation instructions here:
SpyHunter Download Instructions

Step 2: Install SpyHunter

1. Open the downloaded file (SpyHunter-Installer.exe).
2. Follow the on-screen prompts to install the program.
3. Once installed, launch SpyHunter.

Step 3: Perform a Full System Scan

1. Click on Start Scan Now.
2. SpyHunter will scan for ransomware and other malware.
3. Wait for the scan to complete.

Step 4: Remove Detected Threats

1. After the scan, SpyHunter will list all detected threats.
2. Click Fix Threats to remove the ransomware.

Step 5: Use SpyHunter’s Malware HelpDesk (If Needed)

If you are dealing with a stubborn ransomware variant, SpyHunter’s Malware HelpDesk provides custom fixes to remove advanced threats.

Step 6: Restore Your Files

If your files are encrypted:

• Try No More Ransom (www.nomoreransom.org) for decryption tools.
• Restore from cloud storage or external backups.

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Preventing Future Ransomware Attacks

• Keep backups on an external hard drive or cloud storage.
• Use SpyHunter to detect threats before they infect your system.
• Enable Windows Defender or a trusted antivirus program.
• Avoid suspicious emails, attachments, and links.
• Update Windows, macOS & software regularly.

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Conclusion

Vatican ransomware—dubbed “Pope ransomware”—spreads via familiar social‑engineering tactics, locks files with .POPE, but provides no realistic path to recovery. The only reliable recovery is from secure backups. Scrubbing the malware and reinforcing your defenses is the only viable defense.