How To Fix SamSam Ransomware (Malware Removal Guide)

  Category:  RANSOMWARE | 18th June 2026 | Author:  CSI'S TEAM

Description

SamSam Is A Sophisticated Form Of Ransomware That First Appeared In 2015 And Became One Of The Most Damaging Targeted Ransomware Families In The World. Unlike Many Ransomware Variants That Spread Through Phishing Emails, SamSam Was Manually Deployed By Attackers After They Gained Unauthorized Access To A Victim’s Network. The Attackers Commonly Exploited Vulnerable Servers, Weak Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) Credentials, FTP Services, And Unpatched Systems To Infiltrate Organizations. Once Inside, They Moved Laterally Across Networks, Identified Valuable Systems, And Then Encrypted Files On Multiple Computers Simultaneously.

The Ransomware Gained Notoriety For Attacking Hospitals, Government Agencies, Educational Institutions, Transportation Departments, And Private Businesses. Some Of Its Most Famous Victims Included The City Of Atlanta, The Colorado Department Of Transportation, Healthcare Organizations, And Municipal Governments Across North America. Unlike Mass-distributed Ransomware Campaigns, SamSam Focused On Carefully Selected Targets, Allowing Attackers To Demand Higher Ransom Payments.

According To U.S. Authorities, The Operators Behind SamSam Earned Approximately $6 Million In Ransom Payments And Caused More Than $30 Million In Damages Through System Recovery Costs, Downtime, And Remediation Efforts.

How SamSam Works?

The SamSam Attackers Typically Followed These Steps:

1. Gain Access To A Vulnerable Server Or RDP Service.

2. Escalate Privileges Within The Network.

3. Perform Reconnaissance To Identify Important Systems.

4. Deploy The Ransomware Manually Across Multiple Devices.

5. Encrypt Files And Display Ransom Notes Demanding Payment In Bitcoin.

This Approach Made SamSam Particularly Dangerous Because It Often Affected Entire Organizations Rather Than Individual Computers.

Infected Files And Data

SamSam Primarily Targeted Valuable Business And Personal Files. After Infection, The Ransomware Encrypted Numerous File Types, Making Them Inaccessible To Users. Commonly Affected Files Included:

• Microsoft Office Documents (.doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx)

• PDF Files

• Text Files

• Database Files (.sql, .mdb)

• Image Files (.jpg, .png, .bmp)

• Archive Files (.zip, .rar)

• Audio And Video Files

• Network-shared Files

• Backup Files Stored On Connected Systems

Once Encrypted, Many Files Were Renamed With Extensions Associated With The SamSam Variant Being Used. A Ransom Note Was Then Left On The Infected System, Instructing Victims On How To Purchase Bitcoin And Pay The Ransom.

SamSam Generally Avoided Encrypting Critical Operating System Files Because Doing So Could Prevent The Computer From Functioning And Reduce The Likelihood Of Ransom Payment. Instead, It Focused On Valuable User And Organizational Data.

Affected Operating Systems

SamSam Primarily Targeted:

Operating Systems

• Microsoft Windows 7

• Microsoft Windows 8

• Microsoft Windows 8.1

• Microsoft Windows 10

• Windows Server 2008

• Windows Server 2012

• Windows Server 2016

Because Many Organizations Relied Heavily On Windows-based Infrastructures, These Systems Became The Primary Targets. The Ransomware Was Not Specifically Designed For Linux Or MacOS Environments, Although Shared Files On Mixed Networks Could Still Be Affected If Accessible From Compromised Windows Machines.

Browsers

SamSam Did Not Directly Target Web Browsers. However, Users Accessing Compromised Services Through Common Browsers Could Be Indirectly Affected. Systems Using The Following Browsers Were Commonly Present In Affected Environments:

• Google Chrome

• Mozilla Firefox

• Internet Explorer

• Microsoft Edge

The Browser Itself Was Not The Infection Vector; Instead, Vulnerabilities In Network Services And Weak Credentials Were The Primary Causes Of Infection.

Prevention Methods

Organizations Can Significantly Reduce The Risk Of SamSam-style Ransomware Attacks By Implementing The Following Security Measures:

1. Keep Systems Updated

Regularly Install Security Patches For Operating Systems, Servers, Applications, And Network Devices.

2. Secure Remote Desktop Services

• Disable RDP When Not Needed.

• Use Strong Passwords.

• Enable Multi-factor Authentication (MFA).

3. Maintain Regular Backups

Store Backups Offline Or In Secure Cloud Environments And Test Them Regularly.

4. Use Endpoint Protection

Deploy Reputable Antivirus And Endpoint Detection And Response (EDR) Solutions.

5. Network Segmentation

Separate Critical Systems From General User Networks To Limit Lateral Movement.

6. Monitor Network Activity

Implement Intrusion Detection Systems And Continuously Monitor For Suspicious Behavior.

7. Apply Least-Privilege Access

Ensure Users Only Have The Permissions Necessary For Their Job Functions.

8. Conduct Security Awareness Training

Educate Employees About Cybersecurity Risks And Safe Computing Practices.

These Measures Help Prevent Both SamSam And Other Modern Ransomware Attacks.

Number Of Computer Systems And Countries Affected

Determining The Exact Number Of Infected Computers Is Difficult Because SamSam Often Attacked Entire Organizations Rather Than Individual Machines. Investigators Reported That The Ransomware Affected More Than 200 Organizations And Entities Across The United States And Canada Between 2015 And 2018. Many Of These Organizations Contained Hundreds Or Even Thousands Of Computers, Meaning The Total Number Of Impacted Systems Likely Reached Into The Thousands.

Research Conducted In 2018 Found That SamSam Targeted At Least 67 Organizations In A Single Year, With The Majority Located In The United States. Additional Victims Were Identified In Several Countries, Including:

• United States

• Canada

• Portugal

• France

• Australia

• Ireland

• Israel

Reports Also Noted Incidents Across North America And The United Kingdom During The Campaign's Active Years.

Conclusion

SamSam Ransomware Stands Out As One Of The Earliest Examples Of Highly Targeted Ransomware Operations. Rather Than Relying On Mass Spam Campaigns, Its Operators Carefully Infiltrated Networks, Identified Valuable Assets, And Encrypted Critical Data Across Entire Organizations. The Attacks Caused More Than $30 Million In Damages, Impacted Over 200 Organizations, And Affected Multiple Countries Worldwide. Its Success Demonstrated How Dangerous Targeted Ransomware Can Be And Highlighted The Importance Of Patch Management, Strong Authentication, Network Monitoring, And Reliable Backups In Modern Cybersecurity Strategies.

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.