This is an article that provides specific details on .fun files virus infection as well as removal and data decryption instructions.
After the detection of several Jigsaw ransomware iterations this month other three versions of the ransomware has been spotted in active attack campaigns. They are all associated with the extension .fun and as typical data locker ransomware all aim to blackmail victims into paying a ransom for decryption of valuable data. In case of infection with any of them, your valuable files will be encrypted and marked with the specific extension. In addition, a ransom image will change your desktop wallpaper and a ransom message will attempt to trick you into following instructions by hackers.
Threat Summary
| Name | .fun Files Virus |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | A data locker ransomware that utilizes sophisticated cihper algorithm to encrypt important files on stored on the infected computer. Hackers become able to extort a ransom in exchange for a decryption solution. |
| Symptoms | Files with valuable information are encoded and renamed with .fun extension. A ransom image changes the desktop wallpaper. Specific ransom message states that .fun files will be restored only if a ransom is paid. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Detection Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by .fun Files Virus Download Malware Removal Tool | User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss .fun Files 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. |
.fun Files Virus – Distribution
The infection code of .fun files virus is most likely being spread with the help of malicious e-mail spam campaigns. E-mails used for vicious purposes usually contain one or more of the following components:
- A link that lands on compromised web page set to download and execute the infection file directly on the PC.
- A malicious file attachment masked as a legitimate document and uploaded in a .rar or .zip archive. Such a file could be set to evade detection and this way tricks you into allowing the ransomware to start on your PC.
Along with this spread technique, other methods like malicious exploit kits, fake updates notifications and infected installers of third-party programs may be also used to scam you to allow the infection to plague your computer system.
.fun Files Virus – Overview
After a few other Jigsaw iterations that were detected for a month period among which are .invaded, .lockedgood, and .pleaseCallQQ files viruses, other three versions of the ransomware has been released in active attack campaigns. They are all associated with the extension .fun and as typical data locker ransomware all aim to blackmail victims into paying a ransom for decryption of valuable data.
By opening various Windows system files, .fun files virus becomes able to utilize its payload. Then specific parameters of its code initiate sequence of system settings modifications that lead to the successful manipulation of the functionalities of legitimate processes. This way the ransomware could evade detection while triggering additional malicious files created directly on the system or dropped from its command and control server.
As of the folders where malicious files associated with this iteration of Jigsaw ransomware reside they may be all of the following:
- %AppData%
- %Local%
- %LocalLow%
- %Roaming%
- %Temp%
- %Roaming%
Some of the files associated with the so-called .fun crypto virus are likely to be designed to access Registry Editor in order to corrupt predefined registry keys. These keys are usually Run and RunOnce and this could be explained by the fact that they manage the automatic execution of all processes needed for the regular system load. So by adding its malicious values under these keys ransomware files infect the system each time it is started.
A trait that enables you to reveal the presence of the threat on your computer is a specifically crafted ransom image. It is set to replace your current desktop wallpaper after the completion of the data encryption stage. There are three different images that are associated with this Jigsaw .fun files virus. So in case that you find your background changes to an image that depicts crossbones, a fierce digital dog or a crying girl then your PC has been infected by this ransomware of Jigsaw family.
Here you could see all of the images that may appear on your screen in case that .fun files virus has compromised your computer system:
Yet another trait the threat aims to show you is a ransom note with a message from cyber criminals. Each ransom image is associated with different ransom message. The one that depicts crossbones is written in English. The fierce digital dog is accompanied by a ransom message in French. While the image that shows a sad or crying girl appears on screen along with a ransom message in Polish.
With such messages, attackers attempt to convince you that you have no other choice than paying them a specific ransom probably demanded in Bitcoin in order to decrypt corrupted .fun files. However, what they claim is not true as a free decryption tool was released soon after security researchers cracked the code of Jigsaw ransomware. So forgot about the written in the message and keep reading to find this free data recovery solution.
.fun Files Virus – Encryption Process
The data encryption stage happens with the help of sophisticated cipher algorithm that transforms parts of the original code of predefined types of files. After these changes occur the information stored by corrupted files remains inaccessible for an unspecified period of time.
As of the files that may be encrypted by .fun crypto viruses they may be all your:
- Audio files
- Video files
- Document files
- Image files
- Backup files
- Banking credentials, etc
This means that an infection with one of these iterations of Jigsaw ransomware could lead to all your important data locked and renamed with the extension .fun. Here is how a file named project1.docx would be renamed once encrypted by the ransomware:
Happily, the code of Jigsaw ransomware was successfully cracked by the security researcher Michael Gillespie and the steps below provide a download link of the free decryption tool he released.
Jigsaw Ransomware Decryption Instructions
Before starting to download the decryptor and learning how to use it, we must have you know that this may take some time. This is why it is advisable to make your computer run permanently without automatically hibernating or shutting down automatically after some time. To do this, please follow the bellow-mentioned instructions:
1: Click on the battery icon in your system tray (next to the digital clock) in Windows and then click on More Power Options.
2: The Power Options menu will appear. In your power plan click on Change Plan Settings.
3: In your plan’s settings make sure you set “Turn off the display” and “Put computer to sleep” to “Never” from the drop down minutes menu.
4: Click on “Change Advanced Plan Settings” and click to expand the “Hard Disk” option in the list there.
5: From there, set the power settings (On Battery and Powered On) to “Never”.
After this has been completed, then you should start the decryption process itself. Even though nothing should go wrong, we strongly advise you to make sure that your files and computer are safe. To do this, you may either scan your computer with an advanced anti-malware program or create copies of the encrypted files and try to decrypt them from a safe PC, just in case something goes wrong.
Spy Hunter scanner will only detect the threat. If you want the threat to be automatically removed, you need to purchase the full version of the anti-malware tool.Find Out More About SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool / How to Uninstall SpyHunter
After you have secured your computer, you should follow these instructions to download, install and use Jigsaw Decryptor by demonslay335:
Step 1: Download Jigsaw Decryptor from the button below and open the .ZIP file
Step 2: Extract the JigSawDecrypter.exe file whenever you feel comfortable to easily access it:
Step 3: Right-Click on it after which click on Run as Administrator… and you should see its primary interface:
Step 4: From there, click on the Select Directory button and choose a directory the files in which you want decrypted:
Step 5: Click on the button Ok after selecting and then click on Decrypt Files and wait for the decryption process to be complete:
Bear in mind that this process may take some time, it really depends on the files, their size and other factors, like the ransomware variant and its modification. This is why we strongly suggest you to take into consideration leaving your computer to work it out while you are not using it.
Conclusion
As a bottom line, we strongly advise users who have been infected by the JigSaw ransomware to follow these advises to prevent this mess from happening in the near future:
Advice 1: Make sure to read our general protection tips and try to make them your habit and educated others to do so as well.
Advice 2: Install an advanced anti-malware program that has an often updated real-time shield definitions and ransomware protection.
Advice 3: Seek out and download specific anti-ransomware software which is reliable.
Advice 4: Backup your files using one of the methods in this article.
Advice 5: : Make sure to use a secure web browser while surfing the world wide web.
Gergana Ivanova
Gergana has a bachelor's degree in Marketing. She has been with the STF team for five years, researching malware, reporting on the latest computer infections, and following digital marketing trends.
Follow Me:
- Guide 1: How to Remove .fun Files Virus from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of .fun Files Virus from Mac OS X.
How to Remove .fun Files Virus from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove .fun Files Virus
Step 2: Uninstall .fun Files 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 .fun Files 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 .fun Files 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 .fun Files Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .fun Files Virus.
Ransomware infections and .fun Files Virus 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.
If the above link does not work for you and your region, try the other two links below, that lead to the same product:
Get rid of .fun Files Virus from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall .fun Files 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 .fun Files 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 .fun Files Virus files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as .fun Files 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.
Step 3 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .fun Files Virus on your Mac.
Ransomware for Mac .fun Files Virus aims to encode all your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decode, unless you pay money. This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files, but only in some cases. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
