Discover what the 2021 ransomware virus is and how to remove it. Attempt to recover .2021 encrypted files with our guide.
2021 Ransomware Virus
New year new CrySis/Dharma ransomware. The latest reported strain of this notorious ransomware uses the malicious extension .2021 to mark files it encrypts. The 2021 ransomware virus has the purpose to extort a ransom payment from its victims. The ransom is requested in exchange for a decryption tool. The amount, in turn, is requested in BitCoin. In the unfortunate event that your year has started with a PC infected with 2021 ransomware, you are likely to notice a pop-up window with a ransom message on it. An additional, ransom note named FILES ENCRYPTED.txt will also be dropped somewhere on the system.
Keep reading this article as it will help you to understand more about the virus’s activity, show you alternative data recovery methods, and reveal how to remove malicious files from the infected PC.
Threat Summary
| Name | 2021 Ransomware |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Maliciou Extensions | .id-C279F237.[debri@keemail.me].2021 |
| Ransom Note | FILES ENCRYPTED.txt |
| Short Description | Aims to encrypt the files on the computers that have been infected by it and then add a few file extensions to the encoded files. Then the ransomware blackmails victims to pay a ransom to get files back. |
| Symptoms | Files cannot be opened and have the .id-C555K279.[decrypt2021@aol.com].2021 extensions added to them. The virus drops a ransom note, containing the extortionist message and the e-mails decrypt2021@aol.com / decrypt21@aol.com |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executable files |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
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| Data Recovery Tool | Windows Data Recovery by Stellar Phoenix Notice! This product scans your drive sectors to recover lost files and it may not recover 100% of the encrypted files, but only few of them, depending on the situation and whether or not you have reformatted your drive. |
2021 Virus Infection
There are several possible infection strategies that may be used for the 2021 virus to be delivered on a PC. As a ransomware, variant of Dharma, 2021 may be spread via malicious files or web links. The most common method for the spread of a ransomware infection file is via malicious e-mails that are directly sent to victims inboxes. Various types of spam campaigns may be crafted. These campaigns tend to carry attachments that may contain:
- Malicious macro-enabled documents.
- Files that lead to malicous macro documents.
- JavaScript files.
- Executable files.
- Other types of infection files.
Similar to other Dharma ransomware variants, like the .combo, the 2021 virus files infection aims to encrypt personal files and then extort a ransom from the victims. Most of the crypto viruses share similar code and they operate in a similar way when encrypting target files.
As a Dharma ransomware strain, 2021 virus is likely to seek to encrypt the following files on your computer after it cotaminates the computer operating system:
→ .ebd, .jbc, .pst, .ost, .tib, .tbk, .bak, .bac, .abk, .as4, .asd, .ashbak, .backup, .bck, .bdb, .bk1, .bkc, .bkf,
.bkp, .boe, .bpa, .bpd, .bup, .cmb, .fbf, .fbw, .fh, .ful, .gho, .ipd, .nb7, .nba, .nbd, .nbf, .nbi, .nbu, .nco,
.oeb, .old, .qic, .sn1, .sn2, .sna, .spi, .stg, .uci, .win, .xbk, .iso, .htm, .html, .mht, .p7, .p7c, .pem, .sgn,
.sec, .cer, .csr, .djvu, .der, .stl, .crt, .p7b, .pfx, .fb, .fb2, .tif, .tiff, .pdf, .doc, .docx, .docm, .rtf,
.xls, .xlsx, .xlsm, .ppt, .pptx, .ppsx, .txt, .cdr, .jpe, .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .bmp, .jiff, .jpf, .ply, .pov, .raw,
.cf, .cfn, .tbn, .xcf, .xof, .key, .eml, .tbb, .dwf, .egg, .fc2, .fcz, .fg, .fp3, .pab, .oab, .psd, .psb, .pcx,
.dwg, .dws, .dxe, .zip, .zipx, .7z, .rar, .rev, .afp, .bfa, .bpk, .bsk, .enc, .rzk, .rzx, .sef, .shy, .snk, .accdb,
.ldf, .accdc, .adp, .dbc, .dbx, .dbf, .dbt, .dxl, .edb, .eql, .mdb, .mxl, .mdf, .sql, .sqlite, .sqlite3, .sqlitedb,
.kdb, .kdbx, .1cd, .dt, .erf, .lgp, .md, .epf, .efb, .eis, .efn, .emd, .emr, .end, .eog, .erb, .ebn, .ebb, .prefab,
.jif, .wor, .csv, .msg, .msf, .kwm, .pwm, .ai, .eps, .abd, .repx, .oxps, .dot.
The encryption is conducted with the aid of the AES encryption algorithm, also known as Advanced Encryption Standard. After the encryption has finished, the files are left with the .2021 file extension and the other two before it. For example, an image file 7.jpg will be renamed to 7.jpg.id-C555K279.[decrypt2021@aol.com].2021 where the first extension is an ID number needed for the decryption process and the second is a hackers’ email address. Unfortunately, these files can no longer be opened.
To extort a ransom fee from its victims, 2021 Dharma ransomware drops its ransom note files. One of them is a pop-up window with a message that states the following:
All your files have been 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 decrypt2021@aol.com
Write this ID in the title of your message –
In case of no answer in 24 hours write us to theese e-mails:decrypt21@aol.com
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 paying you can send us up to 1 file for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 1Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.)
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.
An additional ransom note called FILES ENCRYPTED.txt appears on the system to provide more info:
all your data has been locked us
You want to return?
Write email decrypt2021@aol.com or decrypt21@aol.com
Remove 2021 Virus – Try to Restore .2021 Files
If you want to remove the 2021 ransomware virus, we would suggest that you follow the removal instructions that are underneath this article. They have been created with the main purpose of helping you remove as many malicious files as possible. If the manual removal does not seem to have any effect, however, we would advise you to do what most cyber-security experts would do – run a scan with an advanced anti-malware tool on your PC. Such a program aims to not only automatically detect and delete all malicious files and objects, but will also protect your machine against future infections as well.
If your goal is to recover files, encrypted by this Dharma ransomware variant, we will share that you can try using the methods we have listed in the “Try to restore” step below. They may not be able to recover all the files, but with their aid, you might be able to restore at least some data.
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online security.
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Attention! SensorsTechForum strongly recommends that all malware victims should look for assistance only by reputable sources. Many guides out there claim to offer free recovery and decryption for files encrypted by ransomware viruses. Be advised that some of them may only be after your money.
As a site that has been dedicated to providing free removal instructions for ransomware and malware since 2014, SensorsTechForum’s recommendation is to only pay attention to trustworthy sources.
How to recognize trustworthy sources:
- Always check "About Us" web page.
- Profile of the content creator.
- Make sure that real people are behind the site and not fake names and profiles.
- Verify Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter personal profiles.
- Guide 1: How to Remove 2021 Ransomware from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of 2021 Ransomware from Mac OS X.
How to Remove 2021 Ransomware from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove 2021 Ransomware
Step 2: Uninstall 2021 Ransomware and related software from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by 2021 Ransomware on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by 2021 Ransomware there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Step 4: Scan for 2021 Ransomware with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by 2021 Ransomware.
Ransomware infections and 2021 Ransomware aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Simply click on the link and on the website menus on top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Get rid of 2021 Ransomware from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall 2021 Ransomware and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove 2021 Ransomware via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 3 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by 2021 Ransomware.
Ransomware infections and 2021 Ransomware aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Simply click on the link and on the website menus on top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
2021 Ransomware FAQ
What is 2021 Ransomware ransomware and how does it work?
2021 Ransomware is a ransomware infection - the malicious software that enters your computer silently and blocks either access to the computer itself or encrypt your files.
Many ransomware viruses use sophisticated encryption algorithm how to make your files inaccessible. The goal of ransomware infections is to demand that you pay a ransom payment to get access to your files back.
How does 2021 Ransomware ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.2021 Ransomware Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing e-mails, containing virus attachment.
This attachment is usually masked as an important document, like an invoice, bank document or even a plane ticket and it looks very convincing to users.
After you download and execute this attachment, a drive-by download occurs and your computer is infected with the ransomware virus.
Another way, you may become a victim of 2021 Ransomware is if you download a fake installer, crack or patch from a low reputation website or if you click on a virus link. Many users report getting a ransomware infection by downloading torrents.
How to open .2021 Ransomware files?
You can't. At this point the .2021 Ransomware files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted.
Decryptor did not decrypt my data. What now?
Do not panic and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your .2021 Ransomware files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by 2021 Ransomware ransomware is to use a decryptor for it. But since it's a new virus, advised that the decryption keys for it may not be out yet and available to the public. We will update this article and keep you posted as soon as this decryptor is released.
How Do I restore ".2021 Ransomware" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .2021 Ransomware files.
These methods are in no way 100% guarantee that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How do I get rid of 2021 Ransomware ransomware virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti malware software. It will scan for and locate 2021 Ransomware ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .2021 Ransomware files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like 2021 Ransomware ransomware also install Trojans and keyloggers that can steal your passwords and accounts. Scanning your computer with an anti-malware software will make sure that all of these virus components are removed and your computer is protected in the future.
What to Do If nothing works?
There is still a lot you can do. If none of the above methods seem to work for you, then try these methods:
- Try to find a safe computer from where you can can login on your own line accounts like One Drive, iDrive, Google Drive and so on.
- Try to contact your friends, relatives and other people so that they can check if they have some of your important photos or documents just in case you sent them.
- Also, check if some of the files that were encrypted it can be re-downloaded from the web.
- Another clever way to get back some of your files is to find another old computer, a flash drive or even a CD or a DVD where you may have saved your older documents. You might be surprised what will turn up.
- You can also go to your email account to check if you can send any attachments to other people. Usually what is sent the email is saved on your account and you can re-download it. But most importantly, make sure that this is done from a safe computer and make sure to remove the virus first.
More tips you can find on our forums, where you can also asks any questions about your ransomware problem.
