SIDENOTE: This post was originally published in July 2019. But we gave it an update in April 2020.
Update April 2020! What is DoppelPaymer Files Virus DoppelPaymer Files Virus is also known as DoppelPaymer ransomware and encrypts users’ files while asking for a ransom.
The DoppelPaymer Files Virus is a dangerous new virus release which appears to be a newer version of the BitPaymer ransomware. It is programmed to infect as many computers as possible, process target user data and then extort the victims for a decryption fee.
Threat Summary
| Name | DoppelPaymer |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | The ransomware encrypts files on your computer machine and demands a ransom to be paid to allegedly restore them. |
| Symptoms | The ransomware will blackmail the victims to pay them a decryption fee. Sensitive user data may be encrypted by the ransomware code. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss DoppelPaymer. |
| 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. |
DoppelPaymer Files Virus April LA Attacks
A large ransomware attack carrying the DoppelPaymer as the primary weapon of choice was used to successfully infiltrate network systems in the LA County. It appears that the hackers have been able to gain access to sensitive data which were stolen and the ones which are left in the computers are encrypted with a powerful cipher. The information was then published on a hacker site which reports what kind of data has been hijacked.
Among the posted information there are archived data which contains financial records, accounting data and other sensitive data. One of the most notable hacks were the ones related to the City of Torrance in CA.
The campaign was initially detected in March this year. One of the groups associated with the DoppelPaymer ransomware has been able to break into the municipality’s computers and erased the made backups. After this action was done the encryption process was started against 150 servers and 400 workstations. More than 200 GB are claimed to have been stolen by the hackers.
DoppelPaymer Files Virus April 2020 Update
A recent development surrounding the DoppelPaymer ransomware is the successful attack against Kimchuk, a company specializing in the development of medical and electronics supplies. The dangerous threat is specialized in building devices for telecom providers, energy grids, healthcare providers and even the military. Kimchuk is known for producing nuclear modules for the Navy, work that requires security clearance.
According to the available information the attacks happened in March 2020 and the company has refused to pay the hackers and thus data has started to be published on criminal communities. Some of the leaked information includes payroll records, purchase orders and trade data. Regarding the data none of the files contain classified information. However some of them included details about orders for nuclear divisions of the company’s clients.
DoppelPaymer Ransomware Virus Distribution Details
Information about the DoppelPaymer files virus is released constantly. During the ongoing attacks various campaigns and variables have been detected. Security experts have ever since contradicted the statement that the ransomware infects through the BlueKeep bug. This is a bug which affects the Microsoft Windows operating system and specifically the remote desktop protocol. It became known to the general purpose following massive vulnerability testing. Ever since its discovery Microsoft released emergency security patches for all users. The virus detection of the DoppelPaymer files virus shows that the hackers are mainly using stolen passwords from the network domain controllers. There are multiple ways which can be used to acquire them:
- Phishing and Social Engineering Tactics
- Trojan Horse Infections
- Delivery Via Other Malware
- Vulnerability Exploits
- Direct Network Attacks
DoppelPaymer Files Virus March 2020 Attack Campaign
A new attack campaign carrying the virus has been reported to us. This time the intrusions were made against a company called Visser Protection — a parts manufacturer that supplies orders to SpaceX, Boeing and Lockheed Martin among others. This high-profile intrusion has been made possible due to a weakness which has been found by the hackers. The identity of the hacking group behind this incident is not known — as the company is considered a high-profile target we presume that the hackers are very experienced.
The full feature list of DoppelPaymer has been enabled which means that a lot of damage will be done to the affected computers. However a difference between this version and previous releases is that the criminals will blackmail to publish the gathered information and not just request a fee payment.
DoppelPaymer Ransomware Virus – Update November 2019
In November 2019, DoppelPaymer ransomware continues to plague users around the World and their computers. The newest iteration of the DoppelPaymer files virus features a brand new ransomware note, which is showcased right down here:
The ransom note states the following:
DoppelPaymer
Ohio Gratings Inc. Your network has been penetrated.
This link and your decryption key will expire in 14 days after your systems were infected.
Sharing this link or email will lead to the irreversible removal of the decryption keys.
NO TIME remains for special price.All files on each host in the network have been encrypted with a strong algorythm.
Backups were either encrypted or deleted or backup disks were formatted.
No any working decryption software is available from other sources.
Do not rename the encrypted or informational text files. Do not move the encrypted or informational text files.
This may lead to the impossibility of recovery of the certain files.Also, we have gathered all your private sensitive data.
So if you decide not to pay, we would share it.
It may harm your business reputation.e Your reference ID: 135
The above proof reveals that ransomware viruses such as DoppelPaymer keep evolving and are being further developed by their authors in order to seek more money from a wider victim base.
DoppelPaymer Files Virus – Detailed Description
The DoppelPaymer files virus is a dangerous new ransomware which is based on an earlier threat known as BitPaymer. According to the available information the responsible hackers are a cybercrime group known as TA505 which are widely known for causing large-scale attacks against finance organizations and banks. The BitPaymer ransomware of which the DoppelPaymer files virus is descendant from was last spotted in a campaign against high-profile targets. The security analysis done of the last major attack shows that a majority of the cases are done by brute force and vulnerability testing which may be automated using suitable frameworks.
At this moment the new variant may use the same strategy or one of the other mechanisms:
- Phishing Emails — The hackers can send out phishing emails that appear as being sent by a well-known company or service. This is done by imitating the legitimate content and the infections will happen as soon as the recipients interact with them.
- Hacker-Made Sites — The criminals can create phishing sites that will imitate popular Internet portals. They are hosted on addresses that sound similar to legitimate addresses and may also include security certificates.
- File Carriers — The criminals can cause virus infections by embedding the required code into file carriers. As soon as they are opened by the victims the infection will be triggered. An example can be an macro-infected document that can take the form of every popular format: spreadsheets, presentations, databases and text files. Whenever one of these files is opened a prompt will be spawned asking the victims to enable the built-in content. If this is done the the DoppelPaymer files virus will be started. The other popular type is the creation of setup packages of popular applications which are commonly installed by end users. These files can also be uploaded to file-sharing networks like BitTorrent where both legitimate and pirate content is found.
- Browser Plugins — This method is alternatively known as the creation of browser hijackers. They are plugins made compatible with the most popular web browsers and are usually found on their relevant repositories posted with an elaborate description. They are usually uploaded with fake user reviews and developer credentials in order to make them appear.
As soon as the threat is installed on a given system the main engine will call a data harvesting module which can extract information that can be grouped into main categories:
- Private User Information — It can expose the identity information about the victims including their name, address, phone number and even stored account credentials.
- Machine Information — A detailed profile of the infected machines can be created automatically by the engine. The DoppelPaymer Files Virus is able to list all installed hardware parts and other sensitive information which can be used further in order to create an unique ID associated wth each machine.
Depending on the exact behavior pattern other system changes can also take place. This can include a boot options modification action. This will automatically start the virus threat as soon as the computer is powered on. This step may also disable the access to the recovery boot options making it very difficult to follow manual user removal guides.
If any Windows Registry changes are made then the virus engine will be able to edit the existing values or create new ones specific for it. This can lead to serious performance issues, data loss and unexpected errors popping up.
The DoppelPaymer Files Virus will launch a file encryption process which will use a strong cipher in order to process target user data. Usually this is done by searching for specific files including the following: databases, multimedia files, documents, archives, backups and etc. In the end the files will be made inaccessible and the victims will be extorted. A ransomware note will be crafted in order to blackmail and extort the users into paying the hackers a decryption fee.
As this particular version is an upgraded iteration of a previous iteration it features a heavily-optimized engine which exhibits better performance. Some of the upgraded versions can also be pushed to infect the other hosts available on the internal network. Whatever the case existing infections need to be removed as soon as possible. Follow our in-depth removal guide in order to attempt system recovery and malware removal.
DoppelPaymer Files Virus – What Does It Do?
The DoppelPaymer Files Virus is a crypto virus programmed to encrypt user data. As soon as all modules have finished running in their prescribed order the lockscreen will launch an application frame which will prevent the users from interacting with their computers. It will display the ransomware note to the victims.
A complete DoppelPaymer removal operation should be done to ensure that the virus is not present on any computer networks.
You should NOT under any circumstances pay any ransom sum. Your files may not get recovered, and nobody could give you a guarantee for that.
The DoppelPaymer Files Virus cryptovirus could be set to erase all the Shadow Volume Copies from the Windows operating system with the help of the following command:
→vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all /Quiet
If your computer device was infected with this ransomware and your files are locked, read on through to find out how you could potentially restore your files back to normal.
Remove DoppelPaymer Files Virus
If your computer system got infected with the DoppelPaymer Files ransomware virus, you should have a bit of experience in removing malware. You should get rid of this ransomware as quickly as possible before it can have the chance to spread further and infect other computers. You should remove the ransomware and follow the step-by-step instructions guide provided below.
Martin Beltov
Martin graduated with a degree in Publishing from Sofia University. As a cyber security enthusiast he enjoys writing about the latest threats and mechanisms of intrusion.
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Step 1: Scan for DoppelPaymer with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall DoppelPaymer and related malware 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 delete most unwanted and malicious programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by DoppelPaymer 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 DoppelPaymer 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: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove DoppelPaymer
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by DoppelPaymer.
Method 1: Use STOP Decrypter by Emsisoft.
Not all variants of this ransomware can be decrypted for free, but we have added the decryptor used by researchers that is often updated with the variants which become eventually decrypted. You can try and decrypt your files using the instructions below, but if they do not work, then unfortunately your variant of the ransomware virus is not decryptable.
Follow the instructions below to use the Emsisoft decrypter and decrypt your files for free. You can download the Emsisoft decryption tool linked here and then follow the steps provided below:
1 Right-click on the decrypter and click on Run as Administrator as shown below:
2. Agree with the license terms:
3. Click on "Add Folder" and then add the folders where you want files decrypted as shown underneath:
4. Click on "Decrypt" and wait for your files to be decoded.
Note: Credit for the decryptor goes to Emsisoft researchers who have made the breakthrough with this virus.
Method 2: Use data recovery software
Ransomware infections and DoppelPaymer 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 the top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
DoppelPaymer-FAQ
What is DoppelPaymer Ransomware?
DoppelPaymer 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 algorithms 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.
What Does DoppelPaymer Ransomware Do?
Ransomware in general is a malicious software that is designed to block access to your computer or files until a ransom is paid.
Ransomware viruses can also damage your system, corrupt data and delete files, resulting in the permanent loss of important files.
How Does DoppelPaymer Infect?
Via several ways.DoppelPaymer Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing emails, 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.
Another way you may become a victim of DoppelPaymer 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 .DoppelPaymer files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .DoppelPaymer files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted using a specific decryption key for the particular algorithm.
What to Do If a Decryptor Does Not Work?
Do not panic, and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your .DoppelPaymer files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".DoppelPaymer" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .DoppelPaymer files.
These methods are in no way 100% guaranteed that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How To Get Rid of DoppelPaymer Virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti-malware program.
It will scan for and locate DoppelPaymer ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .DoppelPaymer files.
Can I 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.
Can You Stop Ransomware from Encrypting Your Files?
Yes, you can prevent ransomware. The best way to do this is to ensure your computer system is updated with the latest security patches, use a reputable anti-malware program and firewall, backup your important files frequently, and avoid clicking on malicious links or downloading unknown files.
Can DoppelPaymer Ransomware Steal Your Data?
Yes, in most cases ransomware will steal your information. It is a form of malware that steals data from a user's computer, encrypts it, and then demands a ransom in order to decrypt it.
In many cases, the malware authors or attackers will threaten to delete the data or publish it online unless the ransom is paid.
Can Ransomware Infect WiFi?
Yes, ransomware can infect WiFi networks, as malicious actors can use it to gain control of the network, steal confidential data, and lock out users. If a ransomware attack is successful, it could lead to a loss of service and/or data, and in some cases, financial losses.
Should I Pay Ransomware?
No, you should not pay ransomware extortionists. Paying them only encourages criminals and does not guarantee that the files or data will be restored. The better approach is to have a secure backup of important data and be vigilant about security in the first place.
What Happens If I Don't Pay Ransom?
If you don't pay the ransom, the hackers may still have access to your computer, data, or files and may continue to threaten to expose or delete them, or even use them to commit cybercrimes. In some cases, they may even continue to demand additional ransom payments.
Can a Ransomware Attack Be Detected?
Yes, ransomware can be detected. Anti-malware software and other advanced security tools can detect ransomware and alert the user when it is present on a machine.
It is important to stay up-to-date on the latest security measures and to keep security software updated to ensure ransomware can be detected and prevented.
Do Ransomware Criminals Get Caught?
Yes, ransomware criminals do get caught. Law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, Interpol and others have been successful in tracking down and prosecuting ransomware criminals in the US and other countries. As ransomware threats continue to increase, so does the enforcement activity.
About the DoppelPaymer Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this DoppelPaymer how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific malware and restore your encrypted files.
How did we conduct the research on this ransomware?
Our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, and as such, we receive daily updates on the latest malware and ransomware definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the DoppelPaymer ransomware threat is backed with VirusTotal and the NoMoreRansom project.
To better understand the ransomware threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
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.