{[email protected]}.2k19sys Virus - How to remove

2k19sys is a file-encrypting virus that affects Windows computers. This type of virus encrypts files with genuinely strong encryption and demands money for allowing the victim to recover their files.

2k19sys is one of many new and active ransomware viruses that are threatening the security of individuals and businesses. It preys on systems protected with weak passwords, or vulnerable to deceptive e-mails.

Whether files can be recovered or not depends on how well the victim of 2k19sys was prepared before the infection, but even without backups, there is some hope of recovering a few files.

The features of 2k19sys

The 2k19sys-encrypted files are renamed by adding a suffix to the file name. The suffix includes the unique id of the victim, the e-mail address of the extortionists, and “2k19sys”.

{[email protected]}.2k19sys

The e-mail address [email protected] and the victim’s id can be found in a ransom note, as well as a window that’s opened by the 2k19sys virus after encryption has finished (so, if you don’t see it, it’s possible that your version of 2k19sys experienced some technical difficulties — maybe it did not encrypt everything?).

The 2k19sys ransom note is named =###_INFO_you_FILE_###=-.txt. It’s short and to-the-point:

All your files have been blocked for more information, please contact us by e-mail.
E-Mail: [email protected]  and [email protected]
You PC id: XXXXXX
The faster you contact us the faster we can help you.

2k19sys also shows a ransom message that looks a lot like the ones used by Dharma or Paradise cryptoviruses. In fact, the text is almost the same as NWA or Dharma-Btc.

All your files are encrypted!

All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail [email protected] and: [email protected]
You PC id:
You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the decryption tool that will decrypt all your files.

Free decryption as guarantee

• Before payment you can send us 1-2 files for free decryption.
• Please note that files must NOT contain valuable information.
• The file size should not exceed 1MB.

How to obtain Bitcoins
The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click ‘Buy bitcoins’, and select the seller by payment method and price.
https://localbitcoins[.]net/buy_bitcoins
Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:
http://www.coindesk[.]com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/

Attention!

• Do not rename encrypted files
• Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss
• You are guaranteed to get the decryptor after payment
• Do not attempt to use the antivirus or uninstall the program
• This will lead to your data loss and unrecoverable
• Decoders of other users is not suitable to decrypt your files – encryption key is unique

How is 2k19sys distributed?

2k19sys and viruses like it use a few different distribution methods.

First, breaking in through RDP. Cybercriminals can brute-force the login credentials if they’re weak, or they can use phishing to steal them. After getting access to the computers, they can do what they want, including installing 2k19sys, stealing information, installing Trojans. This sort of manual attack that requires the criminals to be involved is employed against small and medium-sized businesses which are expected to have enough funds to pay the ransom, but not enough to take revenge on the extortionists behind 2k19sys.

2k19sys can also come in spam e-mails with either infected attachments, or infected links. These e-mails can be sent out in bulk and affect both businesses, and individuals. 2k19sys could be hiding in an innocent-looking document, or an archive. This strategy of distributing ransomware requires the victim to open or run the infected file. To achieve this, the e-mails try to make recipients too anxious, excited, scared to ignore the spam e-mail.

It’s important to find out how specifically your system was infected, plug those security holes, and protect yourself from ransomware.

Can the files be recovered?

Update: there now is a free decrypter, it was released by Emsisoft, here is the link.

The files can be recovered in theory. There is decryption software, but it is useless without the decryption keys. Those keys are only known to the criminals behind 2k19sys. But if 2k19sys is anything like other ransomware, the decryption keys are going to cost thousands of dollars. If the encryption was implemented poorly or the keys were leaked, it’s possible for a free decryptor to be developed. Sometimes third parties offer paid decryption, but they don’t usually have any special tools and sometimes just contact the criminals.

Other ways of restoring the 2k19sys-encrypted files include copying them from backups. If the backups were kept up-to-date and stored disconnected from the infected computers, they should be used to restore the files — just remove any malware before that.

There is also a possibility that 2k19sys did not delete Windows Shadow Volume Copies, or that some files can be returned using data recovery software. Look at the guide below for a bit more details.

How to remove 2k19sys?

The 2k19sys virus possibly brought some additional malware with itself (like keyloggers or Trojans), so it’s a good idea to scan the infected computers with some professional and trusted antivirus program, like Spyhunter.

Automatic Malware removal tools

How to recover {[email protected]}.2k19sys Virus 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 2k19sys - [email protected] Virus has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of {[email protected]}.2k19sys Virus

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 2k19sys - [email protected] Virus. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore {[email protected]}.2k19sys Virus 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 2k19sys - [email protected] Virus 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 {[email protected]}.2k19sys Virus 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.