FileEncrypted ransomware - How to remove

FileEncrypted ransomware was hunted and reported on Twitter by the malware specialist Michael on July 25, 2018. This virus is believed to be a new variant of CryptGh0st. FileEncrypted matches all the typical crypto infection virus characteristics like spreading via malspam, encrypting files, adding the extension and asking for a ransom. However, this particular malware asks one of the highest ransom – 1 BTC (around $8150), which compared to CryptGh0st (0,03BTC = $228), GandCrab (4.7DSH = $1200) or even MauriGo (0,7 BTC = $6444) and other really expensive crypto extortionists, just too much and victims most likely will not pay such ridiculous amount of money no matter how precious their files are.

While cybersecurity professionals are still working on the decryptor we will show you some other techniques that might help you to get rid of this greedy parasite and possibly recover your locked files. It is crucial to terminate FileEncrypted as soon as possible in order to prevent further malware infections and also avoid distribution to other devices. Below we’ll give you a brief information about FileEncrypted ransomware, but if you are not interested, just skip to the bottom for the manual and automatic removal part.

How to recognize FileEncrypted virus

As we mentioned above FileEncrypted is a ransomware which means that this type of malware will encrypt selected files, give them a specific name extension and then display a ransom note for the victim to know that their computer has been compromised and if they want their files unlocked they need to pay some sort of ransom for hackers in cryptocurrency. Read the more technical analysis of FileEncrypted ransomware on VirusTotal.com.

 

FileEncrypted virus uses a symmetric encryption algorithm called AES-256, which is liked by many hackers because it is faster than any other asymmetric cipher. Take a look at Barkly.com how fast does ransomware actually encrypt files. Cryptovirus does that so only the crooks will have a decrypting mathematical key that is unique for every computer and can unlock your files and for which you should be willing to pay money.

But FileEncrypted ransomware doesn’t stop there because it is a virus that likes to show off, therefore it has to present itself to the victim in a scary manner that will end up making the compromised user pay the ransom. Before this moment FileEncrypted was working silently in the background infecting Windows registry, various system directories so that it would boot up with PC each time it restarts and so that the antivirus or any other security program won’t detect it.

FileEncrypted will encrypt your personal files from the gallery (pictures, videos, albums), documents, ebooks, pdf files, music and will mark it with the .FileEncrypted string at the end of the name, therefore a compromised ‘song.mp3’ will be presented as ‘song.mp3.FileEncrypted’. These files with the extension will be impossible to open and soon you will see that on your desktop and some directories a ransom note will appear explaining what happened and how to contact the crooks to solve the FileEncrypted virus damage. There are two ransom notes from FileEncrypted ransomware –  READ_TO_DECRYPT.html and FILES_ENCRYPTED.html and they both say:

YOUR FILES HAVE BEEN ENCRYPTED USING A
STRONG ALGORITHM.

YOUR IDENTIFICATION IS
xxxxxxxx

SEND 1 BTC TO THE FOLLOWING BITCOIN WALLET ADDRESS
1EATMEBVDRmUPjaBeN9hsoj2ffFiUKArma

AND AFTER PAY SEND EMAIL TO [email protected]
SENDING YOUR IDENTIFICATION AND BITCOIN TRANSACTION ID
TO RECOVER THE KEY NECESSARY TO DECRYPT YOUR FILES

As you can see, FileEncrypted virus request a large amount of money for the decryption but do not pay the crooks, because most of them tend to not give the decryption key even after getting these thousands of dollars. Furthermore, because they use cryptocurrency it would be almost impossible to track them and get your money and files back. Nevertheless, 2-viruses.com team has some instructions below that may help you recover the locked data and delete the virus without spending a dime. Moreover, don’t forget to report the crooks on IC3 website.

How does FileEncrypted ransomware spread

There are many ways how ransomware spreads P2P networks, torrents, malicious ads, spam, exploits, fake updates, trojans and other malware, DarkNet downloads, external hard drives and etc. Yet the most popular method that FileEncrypted uses is Malspam. These socially engineered emails are made to target victims from different backgrounds and areas and are so realistic that plenty of really smart users fall for crooks’ deceitful lies.

Some of these spam emails are receipts, tickets, resumes, important documents, letters from the government that suggests users press on the included link or attachment, which is actually a hidden virus. Hackers prefer this method because they can send large amounts of emails (eg. Locky’s case) and infect more computers than just using advertisements or torrents, web injections. It is very important for you to be careful with any attachments and links you are opening as well as other online surfing habits to prevent the FileEncrypted virus from compromising your files.

How to delete FileEncrypted virus and recover files

There are two ways how you can choose to deal with the FileEncrypted ransomware. Firstly, and most importantly, before recovering any files, you must clean your system from any threats that might reinfect the PC. The best method for that is the automatic removal with the sophisticated anti-spyware like Spyhunter. These reliable tools are irreplaceable when removing malware like FileEncrypted, not only because they remove the visible threat but they hunt any other hidden parasite that might have used the reduced protection to sneak in.

Automatic Malware removal tools

Of course, automatic removal is not the only option there is. You can choose to uninstall FileEncrypted virus yourself. There are guidelines below how to do it and in order to successfully get rid of this cyber threat, you should follow it thoroughly. After you are done do not forget to still run a scan with a security product of your choice, just be careful not to use the Fake antivirus program.

Now that you have managed to clear your PC from FileEncrypted ransomware, you are still left with locked files. You can try recovering them from the backups, Shadow Copies or file recovery tool mentioned below. Some ransomware have decryptors, and although FileEncrypted virus does not have one yet do not give up and keep checking online for the Special unlocking program.

How to uninstall FileEncrypted ransomware manually

How to recover FileEncrypted ransomware encrypted files and remove the virus

Step 1. Restore system into last known good state using system restore

1. Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt:

for Windows 7 / Vista/ XP

• Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
• Press F8 key repeatedly until Advanced Boot Options window appears.
• Choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

for Windows 8 / 10

• Press Power at Windows login screen. Then press and hold Shift key and click Restart.
• Choose Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings and click Restart.
• When it loads, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list of Startup Settings.

 

2.Restore System files and settings.

• When Command Prompt mode loads, enter cd restore and press Enter.
• Then enter rstrui.exe and press Enter again.
• Click “Next” in the windows that appeared.
• Select one of the Restore Points that are available before FileEncrypted ransomware has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of FileEncrypted ransomware

After restoring your system, it is recommended to scan your computer with an anti-malware program, like Spyhunter and remove all malicious files related to FileEncrypted ransomware . You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore FileEncrypted ransomware affected files using Shadow Volume Copies

If you do not use System Restore option on your operating system, there is a chance to use shadow copy snapshots. They store copies of your files that point of time when the system restore snapshot was created. Usually FileEncrypted ransomware tries to delete all possible Shadow Volume Copies, so this methods may not work on all computers. However, it may fail to do so. Shadow Volume Copies are only available with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. There are two ways to retrieve your files via Shadow Volume Copy. You can do it using native Windows Previous Versions or via Shadow Explorer. a) Native Windows Previous Versions Right-click on an encrypted file and select Properties → Previous versions tab. Now you will see all available copies of that particular file and the time when it was stored in a Shadow Volume Copy. Choose the version of the file you want to retrieve and click Copy if you want to save it to some directory of your own, or Restore if you want to replace existing, encrypted file. If you want to see the content of file first, just click Open.

b) Shadow Explorer It is a program that can be found online for free. You can download either a full or a portable version of Shadow Explorer. Open the program. On the left top corner select the drive where the file you are looking for is a stored. You will see all folders on that drive. To retrieve a whole folder, right-click on it and select “Export”. Then choose where you want it to be stored.

Step 4. Use Data Recovery programs to recover FileEncrypted ransomware encrypted files

There are several data recovery programs that might recover encrypted files as well. This does not work in all cases but you can try this:

• We suggest using another PC and connect the infected hard drive as slave. It is still possible to do this on infected PC though.
• Download a data recovery program.
• Install and scan for recently deleted files.

Note: In many cases it is impossible to restore data files affected by modern ransomware. Thus I recommend using decent cloud backup software as precaution. We recommend checking out Carbonite, BackBlaze, CrashPlan or Mozy Home.