What is a .DHARMA file?
A file with the .dharma extension is a file that has been encrypted by a harmful computer program known as Dharma ransomware, which is a type of Crysis ransomware. This means that the original file has been locked by the ransomware, and the data within the file cannot be accessed in the usual way. The file becomes unusable because the ransomware scrambles the data, and then renames the file by adding ".dharma" at the end of its name. For instance, if you had a file named "photo.jpg," after the encryption by Dharma ransomware, it would be renamed to something like "photo.jpg.[email@example.com].dharma." Dharma ransomware typically gets into a computer through deceptive methods such as spam emails that contain harmful links or attachments, websites that offer free file downloads, or through peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing services. Once it infects a computer, it targets various types of files including documents, images, videos, and backup files like .DOCX, .PDF, .JPG, .AVI, and .DB. The ransomware encrypts these files, making them inaccessible, and demands a ransom from the victim to restore access to the files.
The ransomware also creates a file named "README.txt" in each folder that contains encrypted files. This text file includes instructions from the attackers, telling the victim that their files have been encrypted and providing details on how to pay a ransom to get the decryption key needed to unlock the files.
Opening a .dharma file is not straightforward because the file is encrypted. The primary method suggested for potentially restoring access to these files is through a system restore if backups were made before the infection occurred. However, paying the ransom is risky and not recommended, as it does not guarantee that the files will be decrypted and can further encourage criminal activity.
It's important to note that dealing with ransomware like Dharma is complex and can require professional assistance from cybersecurity experts. Preventative measures such as regular backups, updating software, and avoiding suspicious links or downloads are crucial to protect against such threats.
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