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This article has been made in order to best explain to you how you can remove the latest version of Dharma ransomware virus and explain how you can recover as many encrypted files as possible, containing the .bip file extension.
We have encountered reports from multiple victims about new iteration of the notorious Dharma ransomware. The malware has the .bip file extension embedded to it and it’s main goal is to conduct a lot of malicious activities, which results in leaving your files encrypted with a combination of several encryption algoritms. These ciphers aim to render your files to remain no longer able to be opened and looking like the following: Filename.id{ID-here}.[[email protected]].bip. The malware also leaves behind a ransom note file, named FILES ENCRYPTED.txt, which aims to convince victims into paying a hefty ransom fee to recover their files back to normal. If your computer has fallen victim to the .bip version of Dharma, we advise that you read this article since it contains information that can help you to recover your encrypted files without paying ransom.
Threat Summary
| Name | .bip Dharma Virus |
| Type | File Encryption Ransomware |
| Short Description | A new iteration of the Dharma/CrySiS ransomware viruses. Utilizes sophisticated encryption mode on data of infected machines in order to extort victims to pay in BitCoin for their encrypted files.. |
| Symptoms | Encrypts documents, images, videos and other important files and adds the .bip file suffix plus a unique ID and the e-mail to pay the ransom. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executable files |
| Detection Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by .bip Dharma Virus Download Malware Removal Tool | User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss .bip Dharma 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. |
.bip Dharma Ransomware – Information Database:
.bip Files Virus – Update June 2018
The .bip files virus has been detected by security researchers to be spread even more vigorously since the beginning of June, 2018. The ransomware virus spammers use the same techniques – malicious e-mail attachments which infect the users via malicious macros. The chain of activities, leading to the successful infection is performed as the graphic underneath displays:
There has also been a new variant of Dharma ransomware to be released out in the wild, using the .combo file extension added to the encrypted files. The ransomware virus is based on the .cezar family of Dharma ransomware and you can find more information about it in the related article underneath:
.bip Files Virus – How Does It Infect
In order to effectively infect the computers of victims, the .bip files virus uses a rather often used mean of distribution – via e-mails automatically sent to victims, in other words spam. These type of messages aim to convince victims to open a malicious attachment via trusting in its content in the sense that it is a legitimate document of some sort, for example:
- An invoice for a purchase.
- Banking statement document.
- Receipt of a purchase.
- Orders which you may or may not have conducted.
- Other important files.
The e-mails which are sent, carry the infection file of Dharma ransomware, using the .bip file extension are made as if they come from people who are employees of companies in order to convince victims into opening them, for instance:
In addition to this, besides via e-mails of a spamming origin, the latest Dharma ransomware iteration could be spread via other means as well, such as claiming to be legitimate setups of software, keygens, patches or fixes for games and other software license activation files. If you look to download software online for free, we recommend that you always check the software via online scanners, like VirusTotal.
Dharma .bip Files Virus – Malicious Activity
When the infection with this ransomware virus has taken place on your computer, the initial action of it is to conduct preparation type of activities, such as:
- To create mutexes.
- Interact with the Windows Registry Editor.
- Delete system backups and shadow copies.
- Change the wallpaper or automatically schedule the ransom note file to open on your desktop.
- It may touch some of the Windows key files in order to obtain administrative privileges.
The main malicious file of the .bip variant of Dharma ransomware has been reported to be an executable type of file, with the following name and signature:
SHA-256:044d3d36c7e7377e29da769397b3e173b21acc2a07a676c377d0335c36e0e01f
Name:detrimentalnue.exe
File size:431 KB
Source:VirusTotal
After the .bip version of Dharma ransomware has already dropped it’s infection file on the computers of victims, it may drop its payload files into the following directories of Windows:
- %Local%
- %Roaming%
- %AppData%
- %Temp%
- %Windows%
After doing so, the .bip iteration of the Dharma virus may also begin to interact with the Windows Registry Editor. The malware may add Windows Registry entries in the Run and RunOnce registry sub-keys of Windows, with the following location:
→ HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
These registry sub-keys are mainly the ones used if you want to run programs on Windows start-up and Dharma ransomware uses them to set it’s own settings to run the malicious files and other modules of it which perform nefarious activities on the infected PC automatically when you start Windows. One of those activities is to delete the Windows shadow volume copies, which is done via a script that is automatically executed and runs the following commands in Windows Command Prompt:
→ bcdedit /set bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures
bcdedit /set recoveryenabled No
bcdedit /set {default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures
bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled No
vssadmin delete shadows /for={volume} /oldest /all /shadow={ID of the Shadow} /quiet
The ransomware virus aims to perform multiple different types of activities in order to make sure the victim knows it’s presence. This includes dropping it’s ransom note in the files of the victim’s computer, which appears like the following:
Dharma .bip Ransomware – Encryption Process
Just like other variants of Dharma , this iteration uses the AES (advanced encryption standard) cipher that is classified as a Suite.B encryption algorithm and also used by the NSA for encrypting eyes-only types of files. This algorithm changes the data on the files of your computer so that they become no longer able to be opened. This activity then results in the Dharma ransomware leaving the files on your computer to seem as if they are corrupt and they cannot be opened by any form of software in the future.
The Dharma virus performs a scan before encrypting your files since the malware looks for types of files that contain the most often used file extensions, such as:
“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 .PRFEncodedFiles .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 .OBJR.BMP .DDS .GIF .JPG ..CRX .PLUGIN .FNT .FON .OTF .TTF .CAB .CPL .CUR .DESKTHEMEPACK .DLL .DMP .DRV .ICNS .ICO .LNK .SYS .CFG”
The .bip files variant of Dharma is clever enough not to encrypt files in those folders:
- %Windows%
- %System32%
- %System%
- %Local%
- %Temp%
- %Program Files%
This is a preventive measure to leave your computer intact while you cannot use your important documents. The files which are encrypted by Dharma ransomware start to appear like the following image shows:
After they are encrypted, the .bip files can no longer be opened via any program and their code structure has been replaced with data from the AES encryption cipher. This cipher generates an asymmetric decryption key which can be used only by the cyber-criminals in a special type of software designed to decrypt those files. So the only chance of getting all the files back is by either the crooks releasing the decryption key to the public, malware researchers cracking the virus and locating a master decryption key or you paying the ransom. But do not despair and do not support them by paying the ransom – there are other ways via which you can try and recover .bip encrypted files as well. Keep reading this article to understand how to remove the .bip variant of Dharma ransomware and get your files back.
Remove Dharma Ransomware and Restore .bip Encrypted Files
Removing Dharma ransomware is the best method to go for and a recommended way to do it is via following the instructions underneath this article. They have been created to explain step by step how to remove Dharma ransomware manually if you have the time and experience in malware removal. If not, the we’d advise you what most experts advise users – to download an advanced anti-malware software. This type of software will effectively make sure to get rid of all of the malicious files that are associated with the .bip file version of Dharma ransomware and protect your PC against future infections automatically.
If you want to restore files, encrypted with the .bip file extension, do not despair, because there are several alternative methods which you can try. They are located in step “2. Restore files encrypted by .bip Dharma Virus” and they have been created in order to help you restore as many files as possible without having to pay the ransom, even though there is not 100% chance you may be able to recover all of your files, encrypted by this malware.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Preparation before removing .bip Dharma Virus.
Before starting the actual removal process, we recommend that you do the following preparation steps.
- Make sure you have these instructions always open and in front of your eyes.
- Do a backup of all of your files, even if they could be damaged. You should back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats.
- Be patient as this could take a while.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove .bip Dharma Virus
Step 2: Clean any registries, created by .bip Dharma 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 .bip Dharma 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.Step 3: Find files created by .bip Dharma Virus
For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.
For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.For Newer Windows Operating Systems
1: On your keyboard press + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.
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.
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:
1: Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.
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.
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.
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 .bip Dharma Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .bip Dharma Virus.
Ransomware infections and .bip Dharma Virus aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to 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 these methods may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Method 1: Scanning your drive’s sectors by using Data Recovery software.
Another method for 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 Data Recovery Technicians License(Pro version with more features)
- Stellar Windows Data Recovery
- Stellar 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:
Method 3: Using Shadow Explorer
To restore your data in case you have backup set up, it is important to check for Volume Shadow Copies, if ransomware has not deleted them, in Windows using the below software:
Method 4: Finding the decryption key while the cryptovirus sends it over a network via a sniffing tool.
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
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Preparation before removing .bip Dharma Virus.
Before starting the actual removal process, we recommend that you do the following preparation steps.
- Make sure you have these instructions always open and in front of your eyes.
- Do a backup of all of your files, even if they could be damaged. You should back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats.
- Be patient as this could take a while.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove .bip Dharma Virus
Step 2: Clean any registries, created by .bip Dharma 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 .bip Dharma 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.Step 3: Find files created by .bip Dharma Virus
For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.For Newer Windows Operating Systems
1: On your keyboard press + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.
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.
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:
1: Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.
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.
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.
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 .bip Dharma Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Preparation before removing .bip Dharma Virus.
Before starting the actual removal process, we recommend that you do the following preparation steps.
- Make sure you have these instructions always open and in front of your eyes.
- Be patient as this could take a while.
Step 1: Uninstall .bip Dharma 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 2: Clean your Browsers from .bip Dharma Virus.
Remove an extension from Mozilla Firefox
Remove an extension from Google Chrome
Remove an extension from Internet Explorer
Remove an extension from Microsoft Edge
2. Select the “Add-ons” icon from the menu.
3. Select the unwanted extension and click “Remove“
4. After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red “X” button at the top right corner and start it again.
2. Move the cursor over “Tools” and then from the extended menu choose “Extensions“
3. From the opened “Extensions” menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its “Remove” button.
4. After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red “X” button at the top right corner and start it again.
2. Click on the gear icon labeled ‘Tools’ to open the drop menu and select ‘Manage Add-ons’
3. In the ‘Manage Add-ons’ window.
4. Select the extension you want to remove and then click ‘Disable’. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click ‘Disable’.
5. After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red ‘X’ button located at the top right corner and start it again.
2. Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
3. From the drop menu select “Extensions”.
4. Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
5. Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by .bip Dharma 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 .bip Dharma 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 .bip Dharma Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Preparation Phase:
Before starting to follow the steps below, be advised that you should first do the following preparations:
- Backup your files in case the worst happens.
- Make sure to have a device with these instructions on standy.
- Arm yourself with patience.
Step 1: Uninstall .bip Dharma 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”.
Step 2: Remove .bip Dharma Virus – related extensions from your Mac’s browsers
Remove a toolbar from Mozilla FirefoxRemove a toolbar from Google Chrome
Remove an extension from Safari and reset it.
Step 3: Scan for and remove .bip Dharma Virus files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as .bip Dharma Virus, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. Combo Cleaner offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
