Strangely enough, a ransomware virus variant that has Anubis for it’s theme has appeared, leaving encoded files in .coded file extension after it encrypts them. The virus then changes the wallpaper of the affected computer with a distinctive one showing the Egyptian god and alongside a ransom note explaining the situation to affected users. The virus also drops a “decryption_instructions.txt” file which aims to induce fear into users and get them to pay the ransom and contact the cyber-crooks for decryption instructions on their e-mail “[email protected]”. Malware researchers who are reverse engineering the Anubis virus are advising users not to make any payoff the cyber-criminals behind this e-mail address and to remove the virus. If you seek alternative methods to restore your files and removal instructions for Anubis ransomware, you should read this article thoroughly instead of having to pay to crooks who may or may not restore your files.

Threat Summary

Name	Anubis
Type	Ransomware
Short Description	The ransomware encrypts files with an encryption algorithm rendering them no longer oopenable until a ransom is paid to the cyber-criminals who are the only ones with the decryption keys. The Anubis virus is believed to be a part of the EDA2 ransomware family.
Symptoms	Files are encrypted and become inaccessible. A ransom note with instructions for paying the ransom shows as a decryption_instructions.txt file.
Distribution Method	Spam Emails, Email Attachments, File Sharing Networks.
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by Anubis Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join our forum to Discuss Anubis Ransomware.
Data Recovery Tool	Stellar Phoenix Data Recovery Technician’s License 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.

Anubis Ransomware – How Does It Spread

Users can get infected with this variant of Anubis ransomware in multiple scenarios. The virus may spread via malicious web links posted all over the web in widely visited websites, such as social media sites as well as websites that have comments and user content, like Reddit, Facebook, Twitter, and others. The weblinks themselves may not be malicious, and this is what gets them posted online without being detected. They may, however, perform a browser redirect and transfer to the actual malicious URL that causes a drive-by-download or a file-less JavaScript type of infection.

The most likely scenario of getting infected with ransomware like the Anubis virus is via e-mail. The crypto-virus may be spammed via spamming software that sends multiple e-mails to a pre-configured list of targets. Such e-mails may contain various subjects that are convincing, like:

• Invoice.
• Payment confirmation.
• PayPal transfers.
• Letter from your bank.

Such subjects may convince users to open e-mail attachments that seem legitimate but contain the Anubis ransomware. Given that most users nowadays are inexperienced, it is already a proven method to cause malware infections, and this is why cyber-criminals prefer it.

Anubis Ransomware – Further Information

When initially activated, the malicious file may be the ransomware itself, especially if it is a .JS type of file. However, the virus may also be downloaded by third party malware that causes the infection. The payload of Anubis ransomware may be located under different names in one of the following key Windows folders:

After the payload has already been dropped, Anubis ransomware may cause the computer to slow down and even freeze while it performs it’s encryption process. Initially, the virus may either modify the registry entries in the keys “Run” and “RunOnce” of the infected computer or drop files in the %Startup% folder to make the file encryptor run every time Windows starts. It may also delete the shadow copies and file history to ensure that no files are restored. This is usually achieved by executing the following command in incognito mode:

After it’s preparation stage is complete, Anubis ransomware may target multiple types of files for encryption:

After having encrypted the targeted files, Anubis ransomware changes their core structure, and they can no longer be opened. The .coded file extension is added to the files, and they may appear like the following example:

After having enciphered your files, the ransomware virus Anubis drops a ransom note on the affected computer, named decryption_instructions.txt. It has the following distinctive message:

→”IMPORTANT INFORMATION!
————————–
Your Computer ID: {uniqueID} <---- Remember it and send to my email. -------------------------- All your files are encrypted strongly.! -How to open my file? -You need Original KEY and Decrypt Program -Where can I get? -Email to me: [email protected] or [email protected] (Open file Decryption Instructions on your Desktop and send your SID)"

But the notification and persistence of Anubis does not end there. The virus also changes the background of the infected computer with Anubis’s image and the following message:

Source: demonslay335 (Twitter)

Malware researchers believe that this virus is part of the open-source HiddenTear (EDA2) ransomware project and might be decyptable.

Anubis Ransomware – Conclusion, Removal, and File Restoration

As a bottom line everyone who has had they PC’s infected with this variant of ransomware, should not pay any form of ransom. This is because ransomware researchers are often looking for a method to decrypt viruses like Anubis and they may release free decryptor soon. Until then, probably your best bet is to remove Anubis ransomware from your computer by following the instructions below and restore your files by seeing the alternative methods in step “2. Restore files encrypted by Anubis”. The best method to remove the ransomware, especially if you are having difficulties following the manual instructions and you are with no experience in detecting the malicious files is to use an advanced anti-malware program which will take care of Anubis ransomware automatically and swiftly. After having removed this virus, make sure that you backup your encrypted files before trying the file restoration methods because they may be risky in some circumstances.

Manually delete Anubis from your computer

Note! Substantial notification about the Anubis threat: Manual removal of Anubis requires interference with system files and registries. Thus, it can cause damage to your PC. Even if your computer skills are not at a professional level, don’t worry. You can do the removal yourself just in 5 minutes, using a malware removal tool.

1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Anubis files and objects

Boot Your PC Into Safe Mode

1. For Windows 7,XP and Vista. 2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. Fix registry entries created by Anubis on your PC.

For Windows XP, Vista, 7 systems:

1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu.
2. Select one of the two options provided below:

– For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again.

– For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system.

3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“.

4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account

While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.

Step 1: Open the Start Menu

Step 2: Whilst holding down Shift button, click on Power and then click on Restart.
Step 3: After reboot, the aftermentioned menu will appear. From there you should choose Troubleshoot.

Step 4: You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu you can choose Advanced Options.

Step 5: After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.

Step 6: Click on Restart.

Step 7: A menu will appear upon reboot. You should choose Safe Mode by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart.

Some malicious scripts may modify the registry entries of your computer to change different settings. This is why manual clean up of your Windows Registry Database is strongly recommended. Since the tutorial on how to do this is a bit lenghty, we recommend following our instructive article about fixing registry entries.

2.Find malicious files created by Anubis on your PC

Find malicious files created by Anubis

1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. 2. For Windows 7,XP and Vista.

For Newer Windows Operating Systems

Step 1:

On your keyboard press  + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.

Step 2:

Click on your PC from the quick access bar. This is usually an icon with a monitor and its name is either “My Computer”, “My PC” or “This PC” or whatever you have named it.

Step 3:

Navigate to the search box in the top-right of your PC’s screen and type “fileextension:” and after which type the file extension. If you are looking for malicious executables, an example may be “fileextension:exe”. After doing that, leave a space and type the file name you believe the malware has created. Here is how it may appear if your file has been found:

N.B. We recommend to wait for the green loading bar in the navination box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn’t found it yet.

For Older Windows Operating Systems

In older Windows OS’s the conventional approach should be the effective one:

Step 1:

Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.

Step 2:

After the search window appears, choose More Advanced Options from the search assistant box. Another way is by clicking on All Files and Folders.

Step 3:

After that type the name of the file you are looking for and click on the Search button. This might take some time after which results will appear. If you have found the malicious file, you may copy or open its location by right-clicking on it.

Now you should be able to discover any file on Windows as long as it is on your hard drive and is not concealed via special software.

Automatically remove Anubis by downloading an advanced anti-malware program

1. Remove Anubis with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data

Remove Anubis with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Install SpyHunter to scan for and remove Anubis.2. Scan with SpyHunter to Detect and Remove Anubis. Back up your data to secure it against infections and file encryption by Anubis in the future.

Step 1:Click on the “Download” button to proceed to SpyHunter’s download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is highly recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter.

Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.
Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to automatically update.

Step1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Scan Computer Now’ button.

Step2: After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any Anubis files, click on the ‘Fix Threats’ button to remove them automatically and permanently.

Step3: Once the intrusions on your PC have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart it.

Back up your data to secure it against attacks in the future

IMPORTANT! Before reading the Windows backup instructions, we highly recommend to back up your data automatically with cloud backup and insure it against any type of data loss on your device, even the most severe. We recommend reading more about and downloading SOS Online Backup .

SOS Online Backup

2. Restore files encrypted by Anubis

Restore Files Encrypted by Anubis

Ransomware infections like Anubis aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to directly decrypt. This is why we have suggested several alternative methods that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that they may not be 100% effective but they may help you little or a lot in some situations.

Method 1: Scanning your drive’s sectors by using Data Recovery software.
Another method of restoring your files is by trying to bring back your files via data recovery software. Here are some suggestions for preferred data recovery software solutions:

• Stellar Phoenix Data Recovery Technicians License(Pro version with more features)
• Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery
• Stellar Phoenix Photo Recovery

Method 2: Trying Kaspersky and EmsiSoft’s decryptors.
If the first method does not work, we suggest trying to use decryptors for other ransomware viruses, in case your virus is a variant of them. The two primary developers of decryptors are Kaspersky and EmsiSoft, links to which we have provided below:

• Kaspersky Decryptors
• Emsisoft Decryptors

Urgent! It is strongly advisable to first remove the Anubis threat before attempting any decryption, since it may interfere with system files and registries. You can do the removal yourself just in 5 minutes, using an advanced malware removal tool.

Method 3: Using Shadow Explorer

To restore your data in case you have backup set up, it is important to check for shadow copies in Windows using this software if ransomware has not deleted them:

• Shadow Explorer

Method 4: Finding Anubis decryption key while it communicates it via a network sniffing software.

Another way to decrypt the files is by using a Network Sniffer to get the encryption key, while files are encrypted on your system. A Network Sniffer is a program and/or device monitoring data traveling over a network, such as its internet traffic and internet packets. If you have a sniffer set before the attack happened you might get information about the decryption key. See how-to instructions below:

Instructions on How to Find Decryption Key for Files Encrypted By Ransowmare

Optional: Using Alternative Anti-Malware Tools

Remove Anubis Using Other Alternative Tools

STOPZilla Anti Malware

1. Download and Install STOPZilla Anti-malware to Scan for And Remove Anubis.
Step 1: Download STOPZilla by clicking here.
Step 2: A pop-up window will appear. Click on the ‘Save File’ button. If it does not, click on the Download button and save it afterwards.

Step 3: After you have downloaded the setup, simply open it.
Step 4: The installer should appear. Click on the ‘Next’ button.

Step 5: Check the ‘I accept the agreement’ check circle if not checked if you accept it and click the ‘Next’ button once again.

Step 6: Review and click on the ‘Install’ button.

Step 7: After the installation process has completed click on the ‘Finish’ button.

2. Scan your PC with STOPZilla Anti Malware to remove all Anubis associated files completely.
Step 1: Launch STOPZilla if you haven’t launched it after install.
Step 2: Wait for the software to automatically scan and then click on the ‘Repair Now’ button. If it does not scan automatically, click on the ‘Scan Now’ button.

Step 3: After the removal of all threats and associated objects, you should Restart your PC.

Vencislav Krustev

A network administrator and malware researcher at SensorsTechForum with passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cyber security. Strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.

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