A new variant of old ransomware, EnCiPhErEd is a part of the Xorist crypto family. The virus encrypts files on compromised systems leaving its name as a file extension to the encoded files. The ransomware has also been reported by malware researchers to be sold online on deep web black markets. Since ransomware from the Xorist family has been hacked a while ago, we advise users to follow the tutorial in this article to remove it and decrypt their files instead of paying the ransom money to the cyber-criminals.
Threat Summary
Name | EnCiPhErEd(Xorist) |
Type | Ransomware |
Short Description | The ransomware encrypts files with the RSA algorithm and AES-128 ciphers and asks a ransom for decryption. |
Symptoms | Files are encrypted and become inaccessible. A ransom note with instructions for paying the ransom shows as a .txt file. |
Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, File Sharing Networks. |
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 EnCiPhErEd Ransomware. |
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. |
EnCiPhErEd Ransomware – Infection Process
To infect users, this ransomware may spread via several different ways:
- Via infected USB drives or other external drives.
- Through malicious URLs that cause drive-by-downloads or the execution of .js(JavaScript) files.
- Via malicious executables, like Windows activators, game key generators, and others, pretending to be virus-free applications.
Since the ransomware is sold in Russian forums, users on those forums have reported that the ransomware may be spread via activators for Microsoft products, such as fake KMS Activator.
EnCiPhErEd Ransomware In Detail
Once activated on your computer, EnCiPhErEd Ransomware may place different files of the following file types:
→ .js, .exe, .dll, .tmp, .vbs, .bat, .cmd .reg
The files may be located in one of the following folders:
- %AppData%
- %Local%
- %Roaming%
- %System%
- %{User’s Profile}%
- %Temp%
Those files may be obfuscated so that they avoid detection by antivirus software. As soon as they are executed, EnCiPhErEd may immediately begin to encrypt your files. It may look for files of the following file extensions:
→ .DOC .DOCX .LOG .MSG .ODT .PAGES .RTF .TEX .TXT .WPD .WPS .CSV .DAT .GED .KEY .KEYCHAIN .PPS .PPT .PPTX .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 .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 .CRX .PLUGIN .FNT .FON .OTF .TTF .CAB .CPL .CUR .DESKTHEMEPACK .DLL .DMP .DRV .ICNS .ICO .LNK .SYS .CFG .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 .VCDSource:fileinfo.com
After it encrypts the files, the ransomware adds the EnCiPhErEd extensions to the files, for example:
→New Text Document.txt.EnCiPhErEd
The ransomware may add a ransom message similar to the following:
→ “Attention! All your files are encrypted!
To restore your files and access them,
please send Bitcoin to address
23d9h320hd23d2389g32fh23z3208
and email to {cyber-criminals’ email} proof
(screen or smth) of your payment.
After receiving funds, I will send you
your password and decrypt instruction via email.
You have several attempts to enter the code.
When that number has been exceeded,
all the data irreversibly is destroyed.
Be careful when you enter the code!”Source:BleepingComputer
Another ransom message seen in Xorist variants is the following:
This is just an example message; however, users also report being asked to send SMS messages that charge them the ransom amount. This is very convenient and untraceable method of quick money making, and this is why some cyber-criminals may prefer it.
Remove EnCiPhErEd Ransomware and Decrypt the Encoded Files
To remove this ransomware, we advise users to immediately download and use an advanced anti-malware software to scan automatically for the threat. However, there is also the manual removal possibility of finding the registry entries and the files created by the ransomware, for which we have prepared instructions for you below.
To decrypt your files, please check step “3. Decrypt Files Encrypted by EnCiPhErEd Ransomware”.
- Step 1
- Step 2
- Step 3
- Step 4
- Step 5
Step 1: Scan for EnCiPhErEd(Xorist) with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall EnCiPhErEd(Xorist) 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:
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by EnCiPhErEd(Xorist) 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 EnCiPhErEd(Xorist) there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
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 EnCiPhErEd(Xorist)
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by EnCiPhErEd(Xorist).
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 EnCiPhErEd(Xorist) 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.
EnCiPhErEd(Xorist)-FAQ
What is EnCiPhErEd(Xorist) Ransomware?
EnCiPhErEd(Xorist) 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 EnCiPhErEd(Xorist) 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 EnCiPhErEd(Xorist) Infect?
Via several ways.EnCiPhErEd(Xorist) 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 EnCiPhErEd(Xorist) 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 .EnCiPhErEd(Xorist) files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .EnCiPhErEd(Xorist) 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 .EnCiPhErEd(Xorist) files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".EnCiPhErEd(Xorist)" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .EnCiPhErEd(Xorist) 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 EnCiPhErEd(Xorist) 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 EnCiPhErEd(Xorist) ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .EnCiPhErEd(Xorist) 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 EnCiPhErEd(Xorist) 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 EnCiPhErEd(Xorist) Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this EnCiPhErEd(Xorist) 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 EnCiPhErEd(Xorist) 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.
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