Refols - How to remove

Refols is a new iteration of the DJVU virus that we have written about here.

Refols is the type of virus that seeks to make files on a computer inaccessible unless the victim pays a ransom (usually hundreds of dollars) to the cybercriminals responsible for the malware (and we really do not recommend paying). There are a few ways to deal with Refols, and a few things to know about how this infection spreads and how it can be avoided.

How to recognise Refols?

Your computer starts working intensely, files with the .refols extension start appearing in your documents — files that you cannot open anymore. Maybe you cannot access some websites, either. If these things happened to you, the Refols cryptovirus has claimed your computer as its new victim.

Files encrypted are of the most common types:

• document
• image
• audio
• video
• archive

Their names are changed by appending “.refols”.

[file name].[file type].refols

You cannot open these. Their contents have been turned into ciphertext by the cipher and the only way to turn the files back to normal is by having the decryptor and the private server key — the one that only the managers of this ransomware have. Once the encryption is done, the cybercriminals leave you a ransom note (a _readme.txt or _openme.txt) in which they promise to provide you with the decryption tools for $980 and threaten that, if you do not pay, your data will never be restored.

ATTENTION!

Don’t worry my friend, you can return all your files!
All your files like photos, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
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Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that’s price for you is $490.
Please note that you’ll never restore your data without payment.
Check your e-mail “Spam” folder if you don’t get answer more than 6 hours.

To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
[email protected]

Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
[email protected]

Your personal ID:
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How did it infect your PC?

It’s a Trojan, so you must have installed it unknowingly, by accident.

• Opening infected email attachments and links,
• Installing pirated software, cracks,
• Using fake installers that bundle malware,
• Using shady software download sites.

These are all ways to accidentally install malware, including this rather devastating ransomware, on your computer.

Remember to scan all the files you download, and to keep your antivirus up-to-date. Malware like this evolves quickly. Antivirus vendors try to keep up and renew the definitions for viruses as quickly as they can, which often is at least once per day. For example, some versions of this virus use “roland”, or a myriad other extensions — the DJVU virus is regularly being changed by its makers to avoid detection and to more easily infiltrate people’s computers.

What can be done?

If you notice your files being encrypted, you can temporarily stop the encryption by shutting your computer off. This will also give you time to plan your further actions. Remember to disconnect any external storage and don’t connect to the internet unless you have to.

We recommend that you don’t pay the ransom. There is never a guarantee that the cybercriminals will give you your files back properly. There are no quality standards, and there is no money-back guarantee. Your decryption key is unique, so it will not help anyone else decrypt their files (here is an article about encryption types used by ransomware).

However, if you do intend to pay, be careful. There is a high chance that if there’s one malware program lurking on your computer, there are more. Some of them might be spyware that will try to snatch your banking details or other private information and send it to malicious parties.

If you don’t pay, you can still put the infected files on a disk and try the decryption tool on them once support for Refols comes out. Here’s a direct download link for a DJVU decrypter — click here. This tool is being updated by Michael Gillespie. It is possible that the private keys will be released in the future, making it possible to get your files back.

Remove Refols

Download an antivirus program, like Spyhunter, malwarebytes or another good quality product. Scan your computer and remove Refols, as well as whatever other malware might be on your computer. It’s very possible that more malware was installed together with Refols.

If you are unable to download the antivirus, it could be that Refols has modified your security settings. The hosts file could have been edited by the virus to stop you from visiting certain computer security websites. You can see if you need to fix the hosts file.

You should check the integrity of Windows system files to see that they haven’t been corrupted by the encryption. Scan the files and fix them manually, or leave this task for an antivirus tool like Spyhunter.

Finally, restore your files from a backup. If you have copies of your files in external storage, like the Cloud, USB sticks, an external drive — you can now copy those files into you virus-free computer.

Protect yourself

Install an antivirus program that’s professional and has a good reputation. Keep it up-to-date and allow it to regularly scan your files.

Be careful when opening files and links. Malware is being spread via emails and with the help of social engineering and targeted phishing they can be very persuasive.

Think twice about using unofficial software distribution sites, be skeptical of “free” versions of expensive software packages and generally of “too good to be true” deals.

Regularly backup your files. Remember to keep your backup storage disconnected from your computer when you’re not using it.

Automatic Malware removal tools

How to recover Refols 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 DJVU Roland Refols has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of Refols

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 DJVU Roland Refols. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore Refols 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 DJVU Roland Refols 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 Refols 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.