Ransomware virus from the “@” family has been reported yet again on security forums to encrypt files of unsuspecting users. The ransomware is believed to be widespread via e-mails that contain malicious attachments and it uses a powerful cipher to make the files of the computers it infects inaccessible. In addition to that, this virus demands a ransom payoff either In BTC or via other online payments service and will not give a decryptor until the payment is complete. Since decryption may be possible with time, users are strongly advised not to contact the e-mail of the cyber criminals for payments. Instead, it is strongly recommended to remove the Mr.fox8 Ransomware yourself and try alternatives like the ones in this article to restore your files.
Threat Summary
| Name | TeslaCrypt 3.0 |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Short Description | The ransomware searches for files with various extensions and encrypts them. Then, it asks for money to decrypt the files, and describes upon contacting the e-mail where to send it. |
| Symptoms | Files get encrypted with a .cbf extension with the unique e-mail of Mr.fox8. |
| Distribution Method | Malicious Sites, Spam emails with attachments |
| Detection Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool |
| User Experience | Join our forum to discuss TeslaCrypt with .micro Extension. |
Mr.fox8 Ransomware – Distribution Ways
To be widespread, the Mr.fox8 ransomware also referred to as a cryptovirus uses the same methods It communicates with users – e-mail. The criminals behind the ransomware may use different spamming software to spread the malicious files of their virus:
- They may send spam mails with the virus files attached in an archive, like .zip or .rar.
- They may post web links that redirect to malicious URLs which contain a JavaScript, Exploit Kit or other malware.
Mr.fox8 Ransomware In Detail
After a successful infection, Mr.fox8 starts scanning for files which are often used by the user, for example:
- Microsoft Office documents.
- Pictures.
- Audio Files.
- Videos.
- Databases.
- Text Files.
After encryption, the ransomware adds a unique ID and the .cbf extension. File encrypted by Mr.fox8 ransomware may look like the following:
→ New Text Document.txt. id-{8-alpha-numerical-symbols}.{mr.fox8@india.com}.cbf
After encrypting the data on the compromising device Mr.Fox8 Ransomware is not reported to leave behind a ransom note, change the wallpaper or perform any other malicious activity.
Researchers believe this that the Mr.fox8 is one of the Rakhni ransomware variants, for which, fortunately enough a decryptor exists. The ransomware of Mr.fox8`s type are also believed to be a part of a so-called RaaS – Ransomware-as-a-Service. Essentially they may be sold from couple of hundred to thousands of dollars online on the deep web markets. The “service” offered is to choose custom file extensions and to choose a cipher. Some of the ciphers associated with this ransomware may be:
- Base64 Encoding.
- RSA.
- AES.
Users who have been infected with the ransomware are advised by research experts not to pay any sort of ransom money and try to restore the data themselves.
Remove Mr.fox8@india.com Ransomware and Try to Restore Your Files
To expel this ransomware permanently from your computer, we advise you to follow our instructions below. In case you cannot manually find the malicious files of Mr.fox8 Ransomware, we advise you to focus on removing the virus automatically using an advanced Anti-Malware program. It will not only find the files but will also revert any settings modified by the ransomware and protect your PC in the future as well.
To restore your files, we strongly advise downloading Rakhni decryptor from the Kaspersky Decryptors link in step “3.Restore Files Encrypted by Mr.fox8” below.
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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Attention! SensorsTechForum strongly recommends that all malware victims should look for assistance only by reputable sources. Many guides out there claim to offer free recovery and decryption for files encrypted by ransomware viruses. Be advised that some of them may only be after your money.
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.
How to Remove Mr.fox8 from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Mr.fox8
Step 2: Uninstall Mr.fox8 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 Mr.fox8 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 Mr.fox8 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 Mr.fox8 with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Mr.fox8.
Ransomware infections and Mr.fox8 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 top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Get rid of Mr.fox8 from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Mr.fox8 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 Mr.fox8 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 3 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Mr.fox8.
Ransomware infections and Mr.fox8 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 top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Mr.fox8 FAQ
What is Mr.fox8 ransomware and how does it work?
Mr.fox8 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 algorithm how 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.
How does Mr.fox8 ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.Mr.fox8 Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing e-mails, 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.
After you download and execute this attachment, a drive-by download occurs and your computer is infected with the ransomware virus.
Another way, you may become a victim of Mr.fox8 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 .Mr.fox8 files?
You can't. At this point the .Mr.fox8 files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted.
Decryptor did not decrypt my data. What now?
Do not panic and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your .Mr.fox8 files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by Mr.fox8 ransomware is to use a decryptor for it. But since it's a new virus, advised that the decryption keys for it may not be out yet and available to the public. We will update this article and keep you posted as soon as this decryptor is released.
How Do I restore ".Mr.fox8" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Mr.fox8 files.
These methods are in no way 100% guarantee that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How do I get rid of Mr.fox8 ransomware virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti malware software. It will scan for and locate Mr.fox8 ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Mr.fox8 files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like Mr.fox8 ransomware also install Trojans and keyloggers that can steal your passwords and accounts. Scanning your computer with an anti-malware software will make sure that all of these virus components are removed and your computer is protected in the future.
What to Do If nothing works?
There is still a lot you can do. If none of the above methods seem to work for you, then try these methods:
- Try to find a safe computer from where you can can login on your own line accounts like One Drive, iDrive, Google Drive and so on.
- Try to contact your friends, relatives and other people so that they can check if they have some of your important photos or documents just in case you sent them.
- Also, check if some of the files that were encrypted it can be re-downloaded from the web.
- Another clever way to get back some of your files is to find another old computer, a flash drive or even a CD or a DVD where you may have saved your older documents. You might be surprised what will turn up.
- You can also go to your email account to check if you can send any attachments to other people. Usually what is sent the email is saved on your account and you can re-download it. But most importantly, make sure that this is done from a safe computer and make sure to remove the virus first.
More tips you can find on our forums, where you can also asks any questions about your ransomware problem.
