VIRUS ([email protected]) Ransomware - How to remove

Id-[random].[[email protected]].VIRUS – that’s the suffix used by the VIRUS ransomware to label the files it encrypted. Encrypted files are made inaccessible for the user, the decryption tools are being held for ransom by the creators of VIRUS ransomware. The email address in there – [email protected] – serves as a constant reminder that the extortionists who infected your computer also have the keys to restoring your files. Try not to fall for it, though, as criminals cannot be trusted.

How VIRUS ransomware spreads

VIRUS is not a brand new virus – it’s a version of Dharma ransomware, which is also connected with Crysis and Phobos viruses and follows after PDF, Money, USA, and others. This well-established family of extortion malware targets businesses, but anyone is vulnerable. That’s because VIRUS is distributed using malicious emails.

Using spam emails to spread malware is a strategy used by a lot of malware infections, even very sophisticated ones, such as the Emotet trojan. Dharma uses it too, and VIRUS ransomware might come to people in a mysterious or intriguing letter. Examples include:

• Urgent invoices
• Job applications
• Fake virus alerts
• Reminders and replies to unknown conversations

A downloader for VIRUS ransomware might be in the Macro of a Word or PDF attachment, or downloaded by a link in the letter. Careless or distracted people might check out the letter only to accidentally download VIRUS, which then starts the surprisingly speedy encryption process. VIRUS’s creators can send hundreds or even thousands of emails.

Another popular way for Dharma ransomware to infect computers is by attacking RDP. Remote Desktop is a very useful tool, but when it isn’t secured properly (weak passwords, no 2-step verification, no security patches installed), then criminals might use this chance to get access to the remove machine and install VIRUS ransomware and other malware.

Short description of VIRUS:

Infection symptoms	Files have “.id-[random].[[email protected]].VIRUS” appended to their names A pop-up telling you to contact the people behind VIRUS appears
VIRUS distribution	Documents and links in malicious emails Hacked RDP
Delete VIRUS ransomware	Use anti-malware tools (like SpyHunter) to get rid of malware
File recovery	Restore files from backups Use data recovery Wait for free decryption options

VIRUS ransomware encryption and removal

Encryption

Once VIRUS gets on a machine, it starts working on encrypting the files. It also spreads in the local network and deletes shadow copies. The encrypted files get a suffix “id-[random].[[email protected]].VIRUS” attached to their names and a text file called “FILES ENCRYPTED.txt” is created. It says:

all your data has been locked us
You want to return?
write email [email protected] or [email protected]

VIRUS was discovered recently by a cybersecurity researcher, but as it’s part of a bigger ransomware family, it’s definitely not made by amateurs. The files locked by VIRUS ransomware are not decryptable. VIRUS uses hybrid encryption for maximum speed and security, meaning that there is currently no way to decrypt the files for free. Some older variants of VIRUS do have free decrypters available, but the criminals learn from their mistakes and the newer viruses are better secured.

VIRUS file recovery

Backups are always the best way to stay protected against ransomware and VIRUS is no exception, but those who still lost data to this virus might need other solutions. Though VIRUS deleted shadow copies, data recovery might help restore some data, provided that it wasn’t overwritten. Also, there is a chance that decryption keys for everyone will be released in the future, so if it’s not urgent, just keep the files safe and check Dharma news every few months. A couple of ransomware developers released master keys when retiring, others got arrested, so there’s always a bit of hope.

But what about contacting the criminals responsible for VIRUS? They offer you to prove their ability to restore the data by unlocking a few sample files and they claim that if they didn’t restore people’s data when they paid, nobody would give them money anymore. Some of that is true – sometimes, Dharma’s people take the ransom money (thousands of dollars each time) and send the decrypter. Sometimes they ask for more money before that. Sometimes they ask for a lot more money and never send the decrypter, even if they proved their ability to decode the files. There is no accountability for these people, so paying them is a huge risk. The distributors of VIRUS ransomware ask for Bitcoin, so there is no money-back guarantee. Don’t pay the VIRUS ransom unless you’re willing to lose that money. Third parties who offer to recover files sometimes pay the extortionists, but they also might not take your money if they don’t succeed.

VIRUS removal

The ransomware is detected by most reputable antivirus tools, so using a program like SpyHunter could help get rid of the infection and prevent more files being locked. It’s also important to repair the antivirus programs that were broken by VIRUS ransomware, install security updates, make sure all the passwords are complex, etc. Most importantly, make sure that file backups are secure. Ransomware is not going away any time soon, in fact, it’s a growing threat to businesses and criminals come up with new strategies all the time.

Automatic Malware removal tools

How to recover VIRUS ([email protected]) 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 VIRUS ([email protected]) Ransomware has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of VIRUS ([email protected]) 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 VIRUS ([email protected]) Ransomware. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore VIRUS ([email protected]) 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 VIRUS ([email protected]) 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 VIRUS ([email protected]) 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.