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 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 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.
Note! Your computer might be affected by FileIce and other threats.
Threats such as FileIce may be persistent on your system. They tend to re-appear if not fully deleted. A malware removal tool like SpyHunter will help you to remove malicious programs, saving you the time and the struggle of tracking down numerous malicious files. SpyHunter’s scanner is free but the paid version is needed to remove the malware threats. Read SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy
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.
An interesting ransomware virus has been detected out into the wild. Unlike conventional ransom infections of the lockscreen type, this virus does not want money, but asks the victims to complete various surveys. This is a very interesting concept and it is unique by it’s kind because it was present primarily in unwanted programs such as adware and browser hijackers up to this point. What researchers believe FileIce does is it displays the user surveys and locks the screen primarily because those surveys may help collect information for certain interests or make profit via survey schemes. Anyone who has fallen into the trap of FileIce and has gotten their computers infected by this malware should be advised that the virus can be removed. We advise you to read this article for more information on FileIce and to learn how to remove the malware completely from your computer.
Threat Summary
Name
FileIce
Type
Lockscreen Ransomware
Short Description
The virus heavily modifies the registry entries of the victim computer allowing it to administratively lock the screen.
Symptoms
If you are infected with FileIce you may see a prompt asking you to choose which survey you want to complete in order to get access back to your computer. Getting access back after completing the survey is not guaranteed.
Distribution Method
Via an Exploit kit, Dll file attack, malicious JavaScript or a drive-by download of the malware itself in an obfuscated manner.
FileIce may undertake several very specific methods to spread it’s files. The primary spreading technique it uses is via spammed e-mail messages that may contain two types of infectors:
Malcious attachments that are usually in a .zip or .rar archives.
Malicious URLs that cause infection by inducing a forced browser redirect after being clicked on.
And the message itself seems like your average spam message as well. It may appear as if it is sent by someone important, like banking manager or social media website, like a fake Facebook request for example. There are also cases where the file attachments may appear like an invoice, receipt or another important document. However, they are do not even come close to being legitimate and once opened, the infection process begins.
What Does FileIce Do?
FileIce(dot net) is originally a legitimate service for completing online surveys and receiving different type of rewards for them. The service legitimately offers financial compensation for completed surveys. Here is what the website promises:
The virus, cleverly enough is designed to infect your computer and begin to heavily modify the registry entries of it. The registry keys it may attack could be associated with:
Boot options. (Run and RunOnce keys)
Windows Lockscreen registry keys.
Registry keys for a screensaver or wallpaper.
After some or all of those keys are modified by FileIce, the virus sets path to malicious modules that directly display it’s lockscreen message, seemingly blocking all access of the user to his or her computer:
The locked screen displays a menu from which victims can choose what type of service to complete and it is even coded to connect them to those surveys while their computer remains locked:
FileIce Lockscreen – Summary and Removal
To put it in perspective, the ransomware creator of this virus hopes for a low-risk type of profit via FileIce survey schemes and he relies primarily on the victims that are infected to complete the surveys. It is not guaranteed that you will restore your access to your computer after you complete one or more surveys and this is why it is recommended to take a different type of approach and remove FileIce from your computer.
You can achieve the successful removal of FileIce by performing several different activities. One of those is to immediately boot your computer in safe mode, to disable third-party software from running and only enable crucial to windows processes. This will grand you temporary administrative access to your computer. We have posted instructions below on how to successfully boot your computer into safe mode.
After you have booted you can choose from the steps below wether you want to hunt for the files and registry entries belonging to FileIce manually or you want to do it automatically with an anti-malware scanner. Malware researchers and security experts always recommend choosing the second options because scanning your computer for malware will help detect all associated objects with FileIce and remove your locked screen. Not only this but, it will also detect other malware that may have also infected your computer, remove it as well and protect your system against future threats.
Note! Your computer system may be affected by FileIce and other threats. Scan Your PC with SpyHunter SpyHunter is a powerful malware removal tool designed to help users with in-depth system security analysis, detection and removal of threats such as FileIce. Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter’s malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.
To remove FileIce follow these steps:
1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove FileIce files and objects
OFFER
Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!
We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter
Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter’s malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria
Boot Your PC Into Safe Mode
1. For Windows XP, Vista and 7. 2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. Fix registry entries created by malware and PUPs on your PC.
For Windows XP, Vista and 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 up the Start Menu.
Step 2: Click on the Power button (for Windows 8 it is the little arrow next to the “Shut Down” button) and whilst holding down “Shift” click on Restart.
Step 3: After reboot, a blue menu with options will appear. From them you should choose Troubleshoot.
Step 4: You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu choose Advanced Options.
Step 5: After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.
Step 6: From the Startup Settings menu, click on Restart.
Step 7: A menu will appear upon reboot. You can choose any of the three Safe Mode options by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart.
Some malicious scripts may modify the registry entries on your computer to change different settings. This is why cleaning your Windows Registry Database is recommended. Since the tutorial on how to do this is a bit long and tampering with registries could damage your computer if not done properly you should refer and follow our instructive article about fixing registry entries, especially if you are unexperienced in that area.
2. Find files created by FileIce on your PC
Find files created by FileIce
1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. 2. For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.
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.
IMPORTANT! Before starting the Automatic Removal below, 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.
Use SpyHunter to scan for malware and unwanted programs
3. Scan for malware and unwanted programs with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Scan your PC and Remove FileIce with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for FileIce and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove FileIce. Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
Step 1: Click on the “Download” button to proceed to SpyHunter’s download page.
It is 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. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.
Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.
Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.
Step 1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Malware/PC Scan’ tab. A new window will appear. Click on ‘Start Scan’.
Step 2: After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the ‘Next’ button.
Step 3: If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.
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 with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats. We recommend you to read more about it and to download SOS Online Backup.
4. Try to Restore files encrypted by FileIce
Try to Restore Files Encrypted by FileIce
Ransomware infections and FileIce 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:
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:
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:
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 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.
An interesting ransomware virus has been detected out into the wild. Unlike conventional ransom infections of the lockscreen type, this virus does not want money, but asks the victims to complete various surveys. This is a very interesting concept and it is unique by it’s kind because it was present primarily in unwanted programs such as adware and browser hijackers up to this point. What researchers believe FileIce does is it displays the user surveys and locks the screen primarily because those surveys may help collect information for certain interests or make profit via survey schemes. Anyone who has fallen into the trap of FileIce and has gotten their computers infected by this malware should be advised that the virus can be removed. We advise you to read this article for more information on FileIce and to learn how to remove the malware completely from your computer.
1. For Windows XP, Vista and 7.
2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.
Fix registry entries created by malware and PUPs on your PC.
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for FileIce and remove them.
Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
