This article aims to help you by showing how to remove CryptoMix ransomware and decrypt .EXTE encrypted files without paying the ransom.
Yet another variant of the notorious CryptoMix ransomware virus has appeared in the wild. The virus aims to encrypt the files on the infected computers, adding the .EXTE file extension and changing their names. In addition to this, the ransomware also adds a ransom note, named “_HELP_INSTRUCTION.TXT” which has multiple different e-mails to which the victim must send a unique decrypt id. Fortunately, the virus is part of the CryptoMix ransomware variants which have all been decrypted so far and if you keep reading this article, you will understand how to remove .EXTE ransomware and decrypt your files without having to pay the ransom.
Threat Summary
| Name | .EXTE Virus |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | Encrypts the files on the computers infected by it in order to demand ransom from victims. |
| Symptoms | Adds the .EXTE file extension and changes the names of the encrypted files. |
| 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 .EXTE 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. |
.EXTE File Virus – More Information
Being a variant of the CryptoMix ransomware infections, this virus aims to perform multiple different types of activities on the computers infected by it. It all starts with it’s malicious loader type of file, whose primary purpose is to extract the payload of the .EXTE ransomware virus. Such loader may pretend to be:
- Legitimate setup, uploaded online.
- Legitimate document sent to you over the web (Word, .PDF, Excel).
- A game crack or any other activation software uploaded on suspicious websites.
- A web link or a button which causes a drive-by download when you click on it. Such are often spammed as comments or other suspicious messages. Sometimes they are featured in spam e-mails as well.
Once the victim opens the loader file of .EXTE ransomware, the virus does not waste any time and downloads it’s payload from the C2 sever of the cyber-criminals it connects to. The payload may be under different names and be located in the commonly targeted folders of Windows:
After the malicious files are dropped, the virus begins encrypting the files on the infected computer. It targets mainly files with the following file types:
→ .sql, .mp4, .7z, .rar, .m4a, .wma, .avi, .wmv, .csv, .d3dbsp, .zip, .sie, .sum, .ibank, .t13, .t12, .qdf, .gdb, .tax, .pkpass, .bc6, .bc7, .bkp, .qic, .bkf, .sidn, .sidd, .mddata, .itl, .itdb, .icxs, .hvpl, .hplg, .hkdb, .mdbackup, .syncdb, .gho, .cas, .svg, .map, .wmo, .itm, .sb, .fos, .mov, .vdf, .ztmp, .sis, .sid, .ncf, .menu, .layout, .dmp, .blob, .esm, .vcf, .vtf, .dazip, .fpk, .mlx, .kf, .iwd, .vpk, .tor, .psk, .rim, .w3x, .fsh, .ntl, .arch00, .lvl, .snx, .cfr, .ff, .vpp_pc, .lrf, .m2, .mcmeta, .vfs0, .mpqge, .kdb, .db0, .dba, .rofl, .hkx, .bar, .upk, .das, .iwi, .litemod, .asset, .forge, .ltx, .bsa, .apk, .re4, .sav, .lbf, .slm, .bik, .epk, .rgss3a, .pak, .big, wallet, .wotreplay, .xxx, .desc, .py, .m3u, .flv, .js, .css, .rb, .png, .jpeg, .txt, .p7c, .p7b, .p12, .pfx, .pem, .crt, .cer, .der, .x3f, .srw, .pef, .ptx, .r3d, .rw2, .rwl, .raw, .raf, .orf, .nrw, .mrwref, .mef, .erf, .kdc, .dcr, .cr2, .crw, .bay, .sr2, .srf, .arw, .3fr, .dng, .jpe, .jpg, .cdr, .indd, .ai, .eps, .pdf, .pdd, .psd, .dbf, .mdf, .wb2, .rtf, .wpd, .dxg, .xf, .dwg, .pst, .accdb, .mdb, .pptm, .pptx, .ppt, .xlk, .xlsb, .xlsm, .xlsx, .xls, .wps, .docm, .docx, .doc, .odb, .odc, .odm, .odp, .ods, .odt.
After encryption has completed, the EXTE virus adds it’s distinctive file extension and completely changes the names of your important files, so that they become no longer recognizable. This results in the following appearance of the files:
After doing so, the virus also drops it’s ransom note, which has the following content:
Hello!
Attention! All Your data was encrypted!
For specific information, please send us an email with Your ID number:
Exte1@msgden.net
Exte2@protonmail.com
Exte3@reddithub.com
We will help You as soon as possible.
DECRYPT-ID-{unique ID}
Fortunately, you do not have to do any of these activities as the Exte ransomware may as well be decryptable, mainly because it is a CryptoMix variant and most of those are decryptable. Keep reading this article, to first remove .EXTE file virus and then decrypt your files without paying a dime.
Remove .EXTE CryptoMix from Your PC
Before actually beginning the removal process, we would advise to backup all your files, even though they are encrypted. Then, we recommend you to follow the instructions below. You can try to find and remove the malicious files of the .EXTE ransomware manually, but for maximum effectiveness, a ransomware-specific anti-malware programs should be used to scan for and remove all traces of the .EXTE file virus automatically.
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.
Follow Me:
- Guide 1: How to Remove .EXTE Virus from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of .EXTE Virus from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove .EXTE Virus from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase .EXTE Virus from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall .EXTE Virus from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove .EXTE Virus from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate .EXTE Virus from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove .EXTE Virus from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove .EXTE Virus
Step 2: Uninstall .EXTE 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 .EXTE 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 .EXTE 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of .EXTE Virus from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall .EXTE 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 .EXTE 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 2: Scan for and remove .EXTE Virus files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as .EXTE Virus, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove .EXTE Virus from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Erase .EXTE Virus from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Uninstall .EXTE Virus from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove .EXTE Virus from Safari.
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the .EXTE Virus will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate .EXTE Virus from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 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'.
Step 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.
Avast funktioniert nicht für die .EXTE Dateien?!?
Genau, gleiches Problem habe ich auch, gibt es eine Lösung?