This article aims to show you how to remove the .911 files virus (GlobeImposter 2.0 variant) and to explain how to recover .911 encrypted files without paying ransom.
Yet another variant of the GlobeImposter virus has come out in the wild, encrypting files on the computers infected by it after which adding the .911 file extension to them and asking from victims to pay a hefty ransom fee in order to get the files to be openable again. The .911 file virus follows the tendency of 3 digit file extension, used in the previous two GlobeImposter ransomware variants – the .725 and ..726 file viruses.
Threat Summary
| Name | .911 File Virus |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | Encrypts files on the computers infected by it and then demands a ransom to be paid in BitCoins to get them to work again. |
| Symptoms | Adds the .911 suffix to the encrypted files and drops the !SOS!.html ransom note with full instructions how to pay the ransom. |
| 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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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss .911 File Virus. |
| 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. |
How Does .911 Ransomware Infect Victims
For the .911 file virus to infect a given computer successfully, the crooks behind it may engage in various different tactics. The primary of those is to use social engineering skills in order to trick potential victims into opening spam e-mail messages. These messages may have either a malicious web link or an e-mail attachment which only pretends to be important. The pretext they use to convince users to click on the malicious objects is that they are usually important invoices, bank account statements or other such documents. They may also pose as large companies or banks, like the following:
- PayPal.
- Amazon.
- FedEx.
- DHL.
- UPS.
Usually the cyber-crooks archive the e-mail attachments in .zip files so that they evade protection scanners from the e-mail providers. In order to check if an archive is malicious or not for free, you can use ZipeZip.
In some cases, the files which are used in order to cause an infection may not be executable files or scripts. They may also be malicious Microsoft Word (.docx) documents or .PDF files that may have malicious macros embedded. The documents do not infect your computer when you open them and appear normal. However, some of them claim they are locked and in order to see the content, you must click on “Enable Content” to enable macros. Those macros are in fact malicious and they are the ones that cause the infection itself in the following way:
.911 File Ransomware – Malicious Activity
Being a GlobeImposter variant, this virus is little different than the other viruses, at least at first glance. However, there are several key improvements and areas by which it can be recognized. One of those is it’s distinctive ransom note, which the virus drops after an infection takes place. It is named !SOS!.html and aims to get victims to pay a hefty ransom to restore the files.
Besides the main ransom note, the virus also drops it’s malicious files on the compromised computer. They may be located in the usually targeted Windows folders:
- %AppData%
- %Roaming%
- %Local%
- %LocalLow%
- %Temp%
After the files are dropped, the .911 file virus may delete the shadow volume copies on the computers infected by it. The virus performs this by executing a batch (.bat) script that inserts the following command as an administrator in Windows Command Prompt:
→ vssadmin delete shadows /for={DrivePartition} /oldest | /all | /shadow={Identification of the shadow copies}] /quiet
In addition to modifying the volume shadow copies of the infected machine, the virus may also add custom registry entries that automatically run the malicious files on Windows boot:
→ 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
The Encryption of .911 Files Ransomware
When .911 GlobeImposter variant encrypts your files, your computer may slow down or even briefly freeze and during the encryption you will not be able to stop it as you won’t notice it, because it is a fast process.
What the virus does is it firstly targets the most often used documents, videos, pictures, archives and other files on your computer which may have the following file extensions:
→ “PNG .PSD .PSPIMAGE .TGA .THM .TIF .TIFF .YUV .AI .EPS .PS .SVG .INDD .PCT .PDF .XLR .XLS .XLSX .ACCDB .DB .DBF .MDB .PDB .SQL .APK .APP .BAT .CGI .COM .EXE .GADGET .JAR .PIF .WSF .DEM .GAM .NES .ROM .SAV CAD Files .DWG .DXF GIS Files .GPX .KML .KMZ .ASP .ASPX .CER .CFM .CSR .CSS .HTM .HTML .JS .JSP .PHP .RSS .XHTML. DOC .DOCX .LOG .MSG .ODT .PAGES .RTF .TEX .TXT .WPD .WPS .CSV .DAT .GED .KEY .KEYCHAIN .PPS .PPT .PPTX ..INI .PRF Encoded Files .HQX .MIM .UUE .7Z .CBR .DEB .GZ .PKG .RAR .RPM .SITX .TAR.GZ .ZIP .ZIPX .BIN .CUE .DMG .ISO .MDF .TOAST .VCD SDF .TAR .TAX2014 .TAX2015 .VCF .XML Audio Files .AIF .IFF .M3U .M4A .MID .MP3 .MPA .WAV .WMA Video Files .3G2 .3GP .ASF .AVI .FLV .M4V .MOV .MP4 .MPG .RM .SRT .SWF .VOB .WMV 3D .3DM .3DS .MAX .OBJ R.BMP .DDS .GIF .JPG ..CRX .PLUGIN .FNT .FON .OTF .TTF .CAB .CPL .CUR .DESKTHEMEPACK .DLL .DMP .DRV .ICNS .ICO .LNK .SYS .CFG” Source:fileinfo.com
After the encryption process is complete, the virus adds the .911 file extension to the files and their final appearance is changed to the following:
Even though you may feel convinced into paying the ransom, it is strongly inadvisable. Instead, recommendations are to focus on removing this ransomware and try to recover your files using different methods.
Remove .911 Ransomware and Restore Files
Before beginning the removal of .911 files virus it is strongly recommended to backup your files beforehand. Then, you can proceed with the removal of this virus, preferably by following the instructions we have posted below. They are divided in manual and automatic to best help you with the removal process. For maximum effectiveness, malware researchers strongly recommend using a ransomware-specific removal software to help you scan for and remove all the objects associated with the .911 variant of GlobeImposter from your PC and protect it in the future.
After having removed this ransomware, you can attempt and restore your files, by following the alternative methods for file recovery below in step “2. Restore files encrypted by .911 Files Virus”. They are not 100% effective but may help you recover most of your encrypted files without having to pay the ransom.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and 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 .911 File Virus from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of .911 File Virus from Mac OS X.
How to Remove .911 File Virus from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove .911 File Virus
Step 2: Uninstall .911 File Virus 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 .911 File Virus 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 .911 File Virus 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 .911 File Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .911 File Virus.
Ransomware infections and .911 File Virus 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 .911 File Virus from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall .911 File Virus 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 .911 File Virus 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 .911 File Virus.
Ransomware infections and .911 File Virus 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.
.911 File Virus FAQ
What is .911 File Virus ransomware and how does it work?
.911 File Virus 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 .911 File Virus ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways..911 File Virus 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 .911 File Virus 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 ..911 File Virus files?
You can't. At this point the ..911 File Virus 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 ..911 File Virus files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by .911 File Virus 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 "..911 File Virus" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore ..911 File Virus 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 .911 File Virus 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 .911 File Virus ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important ..911 File Virus files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like .911 File Virus 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.
How to Report Ransomware to Authorities?
In case your computer got infected with a ransomware infection, you can report it to the local Police departments. It can help authorities worldwide track and determine the perpetrators behind the virus that has infected your computer. Below, we have prepared a list with government websites, where you can file a report in case you are a victim of a cybercrime:
Cyber-security authorities, responsible for handling ransomware attack reports in different regions all over the world:
- Germany - Offizielles Portal der deutschen Polizei
- United States - IC3 Internet Crime Complaint Centre
- United Kingdom - Action Fraud Police
- France - Ministère de l'Intérieur
- Italy - Polizia Di Stato
- Spain - Policía Nacional
- Netherlands - Politie
- Poland - Policja
- Portugal - Polícia Judiciária
- Greece - Cyber Crime Unit (Hellenic Police)
- India - Mumbai Police - CyberCrime Investigation Cell
- Australia - Australian High Tech Crime Center
Reports may be responded to in different timeframes, depending on your local authorities.
