This article aims to help you by explaining what is .Infinite files virus and how to fully remove it from your computer system plus restore files encrypted by it on your system.
New ransomware virus version of the InfiniteTear ransomware family has been reported to infect victim computers and encrypt the important pictures, videos, audio and other important files in them, while renaming them and also adding the .Infinite file suffix after their names. The virus, named InfiniteTear 3, also leaves behind a long ransom note file, named “How_Decrypt_Files.txt (Read Only)”. It aims to get the victims of the malware to pay a hefty ransom fee in order to get their files restored back to their original state by paying a hefty ransom fee in BitCoin via contacting the crooks on their e-mail address InfiniteDecryptor@protonmail.com which is encrypted and anonymous. If your files have been encrypted and renamed with random names plus contain the .Infinite file extension added to them, we recommend that you focus on removing this malware from your PC, preferably by following the information in this article.
Threat Summary
| Name | .Infinite Ransomware |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | Aims to encrypt the files on your computer system and get you to download a paid decryptor to unlock them. |
| Symptoms | Files are renamed and are added the .Infinite suffix after their encryption has completed. |
| 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 .Infinite 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. |
.Infinite Ransomware – Distribution
For .Infinite files virus, the primary method of spreading it’s infection file is likely to be e-mail spam messages that may either contain malicious e-mail attachments within them or contain files that can either be executables, JavaScript or other types of .hta or .htm files within an archive or contain .docm documents which have malicious macros and only look legitimate but after opening them your PC may already become compromised.
The e-mails often mask the malicious e-mail extensions as legitimate documents of some sort from the likes of:
- Invoices.
- Receipts from purchases by eBay, Amazon, AliExpress and other reputable retailers to increase victim trust.
- Fake banking documents.
In addition to this, the .Infinite files ransomware may also slither onto victims computer via more passive methods from the likes of uploading the file on a website, pretending to be:
- A setup of a program.
- Installer of a patch, driver or license activation software.
- Key generator.
.Infinite Files Virus – Analysis
As soon as the malware has been launched on your computer, it drops multiple different malicious files, among which is the main malicious process, carrying the fake name Host32.exe as reported on VirusTotal:
→ SHA-256: 7c82091c655357ae11be9794fa8346f30d350a0b1c3b5789c3667ed8d62e0c2f
Name: Host32.exe
Size: 74 KB→ ActiveXObject(“WScript.Shell”);
cmd.exe /c wbadmin DELETE SYSTEMSTATEBACKUP -keepVersions:0”
cmd.exe /c wmic SHADOWCOPY DELETE”
cmd.exe /c vssadmin Delete Shadows /All /Quiet”
cmd.exe /c bcdedit “
new ActiveXObject(“WScript.Shell”
cmd.exe /c wbadmin DELETE SYSTEMSTATEBACKUP-keepVersions:0”
cmd.exe /cwmicSHADOWCOPYDELETE”0
cmd.exevssadminDeleteShadows /All/Quiet”
cmd.exe /c bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled No”,
cmd.exe /c bcdedit /set {default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures”
.Infinite Files Virus – Encryption Process
The files which are encrypted by this ransomware infection are usually from the following commonly used file types:
“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. DOC .DOCX .LOG .MSG .ODT .PAGES .RTF .TEX .TXT .WPD .WPS .CSV .DAT .GED .KEY .KEYCHAIN .PPS .PPT .PPTX ..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 .VCD 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 ..CRX .PLUGIN .FNT .FON .OTF .TTF .CAB .CPL .CUR .DESKTHEMEPACK .DLL .DMP .DRV .ICNS .ICO .LNK .SYS .CFG”
For the encryption mode, the InfiniteTear ransomware likely uses the AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) which generates an asymmetric decryption key that is used in combination with a decrypter which is only available to the cyber-criminals and they demand the approximate sum of $120 to be paid in BitCoin to get the files decrypted. The encryption process consists of replacing portions of data from the original files with data from the cipher which makes them appear scrambled. And if that Is not enough, the virus also renames the file completely and adds the .Infinite file suffix in order to make them no longer openable:
Remove .Infinite Ransomware and Restore Encrypted Files
In order to make sure that the .Inifinite ransomware virus is gone, we recommend that you follow the manual removal instructions below only if you have experience in malware removal. Otherwise, experts always outline downloading and installing an advanced anti-malware program to automatically remove .Infinite ransomware and viruses of this type and fully secure your computer at a click of a button.
Furthermore, if you wish to restore your files in the even that they are encrypted by this ransomware, we recommend that you follow the alternative file recovery methods in step “2. Restore files encrypted by .Infinite Ransomware” down below. They may not be able to recover all of your files but can help you restore as many files as possible.
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.
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Step 1: Scan for .Infinite Ransomware with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall .Infinite Ransomware 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 .Infinite Ransomware 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 .Infinite Ransomware 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 .Infinite Ransomware
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .Infinite Ransomware.
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 .Infinite Ransomware 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.
.Infinite Ransomware-FAQ
What is .Infinite Ransomware Ransomware?
.Infinite Ransomware 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 .Infinite Ransomware 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 .Infinite Ransomware Infect?
Via several ways..Infinite Ransomware 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 .Infinite Ransomware 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 ..Infinite Ransomware files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the ..Infinite Ransomware 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 ..Infinite Ransomware files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore "..Infinite Ransomware" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore ..Infinite Ransomware 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 .Infinite Ransomware 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 .Infinite Ransomware ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important ..Infinite Ransomware 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 .Infinite Ransomware 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 .Infinite Ransomware Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this .Infinite Ransomware 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 .Infinite Ransomware 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.
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