What is a REPP File Type?
Repp is a type of malware used by cybercriminals that takes a user hostage and forces them to pay the author to unlock the files. It is most often introduced to a victim's computer through spam e-mails with malicious links or file attachments that are downloaded and executed by unsuspecting users. It can also be introduced when a user clicks false messages on social media or downloads malicious files from torrent websites.
When the ransom executes on the computer, a user encrypts the files on the pad; computer and adds the pad; extension to the filenames. Typical types include documents, images, videos and backup files, such as .DOCX, .JPG, .WMV and .DB files. For example, a document.pdf becomes document.pdf.repp.
The virus generates a _ readme.txt file in each folder that stores an encrypted file on the apos computer; user. The _ readme.txt file contains instructions explaining the hostile takeover of files of the user and how the user can recover his files by paying a ransom.
There is currently no program available to effectively restore infected files. If the user has a recent backup of his files, he can restore the system to remove the virus, but any changes made to the files after the backup will be lost.