RestoreBackup Ransomware: A New Cyber Threat Targeting Critical Data Systems

  Category:  RANSOMWARE | 29th July 2025 | Author:  TEAM CSI

Learn Everything About RestoreBackup Ransomware—how It Spreads, Its Impact, And Actionable Tips To Prevent And Recover From This Rising Cyberattack Threat.

What Is RestoreBackup Ransomware?

RestoreBackup Ransomware Is A New And Dangerous Malware Strain Designed To encrypt Valuable Files And Extort Victims By Demanding A Ransom Payment In Cryptocurrency. The Name "RestoreBackup" Is Deceptive—ironically Implying File Recovery—while It Actually Locks Users Out Of Their Data Until A Ransom Is Paid.

This Ransomware Is Particularly Disruptive As It targets Local Backups And Shadow Copies Before Encryption, Leaving Victims With No Recovery Options Unless They’ve Secured Offline Or Cloud-based Backups.

How Does RestoreBackup Ransomware Work?

RestoreBackup Ransomware Typically Infiltrates Systems Through:

• Phishing Emails With Infected Attachments Or Malicious Links.

• Compromised Websites Offering Cracked Software Or Fake Updates.

• Exposed RDP Ports Or Vulnerabilities In Outdated Software.

Once Executed, The Ransomware Performs The Following Actions:

1. Disables Windows Backup Services And Deletes Shadow Copies.

2. Scans And Encrypts Files With AES Or RSA Encryption Algorithms.

3. Renames Files With A Unique Extension, Often Adding A Victim ID.

4. Drops A Ransom Note (e.g., RESTORE_BACKUP.txt) Demanding Payment, Usually In Bitcoin Or Monero.

5. Threatens Permanent Data Loss Or Public Exposure If Payment Is Not Made.

Who Is Being Targeted?

RestoreBackup Ransomware Doesn’t Discriminate. So Far, It Has Impacted:

• Small To Mid-sized Businesses (SMBs)

• Local Government Institutions

• Hospitals And Clinics

• Educational Organizations

Its Focus On Backup Destruction Makes It Especially Dangerous For Organizations That don’t Follow The 3-2-1 Backup Rule (3 Copies, 2 Formats, 1 Offsite).

Signs Of A RestoreBackup Infection

• Files Renamed Or Inaccessible With Unusual Extensions.

• A Text File Demanding Ransom Appears On The Desktop Or In Folders.

• Backup Services Are Disabled Or Missing.

• System Slowdown Or Unexpected Crashes.

If You Notice Any Of These Signs, disconnect From The Network Immediately.

How To Prevent RestoreBackup Ransomware

1. Keep Backups Secure

Maintain offline And Cloud-based Backups. Never Store Backups On The Same Network As Production Systems.

2. Patch And Update Regularly

Update Operating Systems, Third-party Software, And Firewalls To Close Vulnerabilities.

3. Employee Awareness

Train Your Team To Identify Phishing Emails, Suspicious Links, And Social Engineering Tactics.

4. Implement Ransomware Protection

Use advanced Anti-malware Tools With Behavior Detection And Ransomware Rollback Features.

5. Secure Remote Access

Disable Unnecessary RDP Access Or Use VPNs And Multi-factor Authentication (MFA).

What To Do If Infected By RestoreBackup

1. Disconnect Affected Devices From Your Network.

2. Do Not Pay The Ransom—there’s No Guarantee Of File Recovery.

3. Notify Your IT Team Or A Cybersecurity Expert.

4. Report The Attack To National CERT Or Law Enforcement Agencies.

5. Use Clean Backups To Restore Systems After Thorough Removal Of The Ransomware.

6. Scan And Rebuild The System Using Professional Tools Or Clean OS Images.

Final Thoughts

The RestoreBackup Ransomware Is A Deceptive And Destructive Threat That Emphasizes The Importance Of Strong Data Protection Practices. Relying On Traditional Backups Is No Longer Enough—today, Organizations Must Invest In layered Security, Real-time Monitoring, And Resilient Recovery Plans.Being Proactive Is The Best Defense Against Cyber Extortion.

Malware Removal Guide For PC

Malware Removal Guide For Web Browsers

Prevent Future Malware

Summary - Malware Removal Guide

Guide For VPN Uses

Malware Removal Guide – PC And Web Browser

PART 1: Remove Malware From Your PC (Windows)

Step 1: Boot Into Safe Mode

• Restart Your PC And Press F8 (or Shift + F8 For Some Systems) Before Windows Loads.

• Choose Safe Mode With Networking.

Safe Mode Prevents Most Malware From Loading.

Step 2: Uninstall Suspicious Programs

1. Press Win + R, Type appwiz.cpl, And Press Enter.

2. Sort By Install Date And Uninstall Unknown Or Recently Added Programs.

Step 3: Run A Malware Scan

Use A Trusted Anti-malware Tool:

Malwarebytes – https://www.malwarebytes.com

Screenshot Of Malwarebytes - Visit Links

Microsoft Defender – Built Into Windows 10/11

HitmanPro, ESET Online Scanner, Or Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool

ZoneAlarm Pro Antivirus + Firewall NextGen

VIPRE Antivirus - US And Others Countries, | India

VIPRE Antivirus - Mac

F-Secure Total - Global

Run A Full Scan And Delete/quarantine Detected Threats.

Step 4: Delete Temporary Files

1. Press Win + R, Type temp → Delete All Files.

2. Press Win + R, Type %temp% → Delete All Files.

3. Use Disk Cleanup: cleanmgr In The Run Dialog.

Step 5: Reset Hosts File

1. Go To: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc

2. Open hosts File With Notepad.

3. Replace With Default Content:

Step 6: Check Startup Programs

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc → Open Task Manager

2. Go To Startup Tab

3. Disable Any Suspicious Entries.

Step 7: Reset Network Settings

1. Open Command Prompt As Administrator.

2. Run These Commands:

netsh Winsock Reset

netsh Int Ip Reset

ipconfig /flushdns

PART 2: Remove Malware From Web Browsers

? Common Signs Of Malware In Browser:

• Unwanted Homepage Or Search Engine

• Pop-ups Or Redirects

• Unknown Extensions Installed

Step 1: Remove Suspicious Extensions

For Chrome:

• Go To: chrome://extensions/

• Remove Anything Unfamiliar

For Firefox:

• Go To: about:addons → Extensions

• Remove Suspicious Add-ons

For Edge:

• Go To: edge://extensions/

• Uninstall Unknown Add-ons

Step 2: Reset Browser Settings

Chrome:

• Go To chrome://settings/reset → "Restore Settings To Their Original Defaults"

Firefox:

• Go To about:support → "Refresh Firefox"

Edge:

• Go To edge://settings/resetProfileSettings → "Reset Settings"

Step 3: Clear Cache And Cookies

All Browsers:

• Use Ctrl + Shift + Del → Select All Time

• Clear Cookies, Cached Files, And Site Data

Step 4: Check Search Engine & Homepage Settings

Make Sure They Are Not Hijacked.

• Chrome: chrome://settings/search

• Firefox: about:preferences#search

• Edge: edge://settings/search

Step 5: Use Browser Cleanup Tools (Optional)

• Chrome: chrome://settings/cleanup

• Use Malwarebytes Browser Guard For Real-time Browser Protection.

FINAL TIPS: Prevent Future Malware

• Always Download Software From Trusted Sources.

• Keep Windows, Browsers, And Antivirus Updated.

• Avoid Clicking Suspicious Links Or Ads.

• Use ad Blockers And reputable Antivirus Software.

• Backup Your Files Regularly.

Short Summary: Malware Removal Guide (PC & Web Browser)

To Remove Malware From Your Windows PC, Start By Booting Into Safe Mode, Uninstalling Suspicious Programs, And Scanning With Trusted Anti-malware Tools Like Malwarebytes. Clear Temporary Files, Reset Your Network Settings, And Check Startup Apps For Anything Unusual.

For web Browsers, Remove Unwanted Extensions, Reset Browser Settings, Clear Cache And Cookies, And Ensure Your Homepage And Search Engine Haven’t Been Hijacked. Use Cleanup Tools Like Chrome Cleanup Or Browser Guard For Added Protection.

?? Prevention Tips: Keep Software Updated, Avoid Suspicious Downloads, And Use Antivirus Protection Plus Browser Ad Blockers. Regular Backups Are Essential.

VPN - How To Use IT

1. Choose A Trusted VPN Provider

• Why It Matters: Not All VPNs Offer Malware Protection.

• What To Look For: Providers With built-in Malware/ad/tracker Blockers (e.g., NordVPN’s Threat Protection, ProtonVPN’s NetShield).

• Nord VPN
• Hide.me VPN

2. Enable Kill Switch

• Purpose: Prevents Data Leaks If Your VPN Connection Drops.

• Benefit: Ensures Your Real IP And Browsing Activity Aren’t Exposed To Malware-distributing Websites.

3. Use VPN With DNS Leak Protection

• Why It Matters: DNS Leaks Can Expose Your Online Activity To Attackers.

• Solution: Enable DNS Leak Protection In Your VPN Settings Or Use A Secure DNS Like Cloudflare (1.1.1.1).

4. Avoid Free VPNs

• Risk: Free VPNs Often Contain Malware, Sell User Data, Or Lack Security Features.

• Better Option: Use Reputable Paid VPNs That Offer security Audits And Transparent Privacy Policies.

5. Use VPN With Anti-Phishing Tools

• Some VPNs Block Known Phishing And Malicious Sites.

• Example: Surfshark’s CleanWeb, CyberGhost’s Content Blocker.

6. Keep Your VPN App Updated

• Reason: Security Patches Fix Known Vulnerabilities.

• Tip: Enable Auto-updates Or Check For Updates Weekly.

. Use VPN On All Devices

• Scope: Malware Can Enter Through Phones, Tablets, Or IoT Devices.

• Solution: Install VPN Apps On Every Internet-connected Device.

8. Don’t Rely On VPN Alone

• Fact: VPNs Do Not Remove Or Detect Malware On Your System.

• Complement It With:

  • Antivirus Software

  • Firewall

  • Browser Extensions For Script Blocking

9. Avoid Clicking Unknown Links While VPN Is On

• VPN Encrypts Traffic But Can’t Stop Malware From Executing If You Download Infected Files.

10. Use VPN With Split Tunneling Cautiously

• Split Tunneling Allows Certain Apps/sites To Bypass VPN.

• Tip: Never Exclude Browsers, Email Clients, Or Download Managers From VPN Tunneling.

Short Note - VPN Uses

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) Enhances Your Online Privacy By Encrypting Your Internet Traffic And Masking Your IP Address. It Protects Your Data On Public Wi-Fi, Hides Browsing Activity From Hackers And ISPs, And Helps Bypass Geo-restrictions. VPNs Also Add A Layer Of Defense Against Malware By Blocking Malicious Websites And Trackers When Using Advanced Features. However, A VPN Does Not Remove Existing Malware Or Act As Antivirus Software. For Full Protection, Combine VPN Use With Antivirus Tools, Regular Software Updates, And Cautious Browsing Habits. Always Choose A Reputable VPN Provider With Strong Security And Privacy Policies.