This article will show you how to successfully delete Nx Ransomware infection and try to restore encrypted files by the virus.
A ransomware virus, uploaded as an open source malware in GitHub in the end of march 2016 has begun to show activity in the end of March 2017, reports indicate. The virus is oriented on victims who are not experienced and may spread on a global scale. The ransomware aims to encrypt the files on the computers infected by it via the AES and RSA encryption algorithms. After this, the virus begins to drop information on how to contact the cyber-criminals and pay a hefty ransom fee to restore encrypted files. In case your computer has been infected by the Nx ransomware infection, recommendations are to read the following article thoroughly.
Threat Summary
| Name |
Nx Ransomware |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Short Description | The malware encrypts users files using a AES and RSA, ciphers, generating a public and private key files. |
| Symptoms | The user may witness that the files are no longer openable, plus instructions on how to pay a hefty ransom fee to the criminals to decrypt the files. |
| Distribution Method | Via an Exploit kit, Dll file attack, malicious JavaScript or a drive-by download of the malware itself in an obfuscated manner. |
| 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 Nx 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. |
Nx Ransomware – How Does It Infect
The infection process of Nx Ransomware is conducted via a malicious file, pretending to be Google Update Service. The false name on the description of the file is Google Software Update and it is called GoogleUpdate.exe. There is even data in it’s description to deceive that the creators of these file are Google themselves.
The infection file related to the GoogleUpdate.exe file, however is different than it. It is named ransomware1.exe and has the following signature and detection rate:
In addition to being spread as a false Google Service update, the Nx virus may also be replicated via the assistance of massive spam services that spread suspicious e-mail messages that seem legitimate only at first glance. However, many of those e-mails only aim to convince the victim into opening the suspicious e-mail attachment attached to them:
Nx Ransomware – Infection Activity
After causing the infection, the Nx Ransomware virus may begin to drop it’s malicious files on the compromised computers. The files that are being dropped are the following:
- GoogleUpdate.exe (SHA256: 2a3da7eaae24d815a246beb194c72eacf10383e6ac3f46ef23298fb65ca10407)
- master_pri_key.info
- master_public_key.info
Along those main files of the virus, there may be other support files (.dll, .tmp, .vbs, .bat, .exe, .js, .wsf, .bin) that may be dropped alongside them. They are usually located in the following Windows directories:
- %AppData%
- %Local%
- %Roaming%
- %LocalRow%
- %Windows%
After all the malicious files are dropped on the compromised computer, the Nx ransomware infection may begin to perform multiple other activities, such as delete the shadow volume copies of it, for example. This is achievable by executing versions of the following vssadmin command in the background:
In addition to deleting system backups, the Nx virus may also begin to modify the Windows Registry Editor. Among the attacked Windows Registry sub-keys may usually be the ones that change the wallpaper and run files on Windows boot:
→ HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop\
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
Other interference the Nx virus may perform is modify the following files within the %WINDIR% directory of Windows, again related to the registry:
→ Clr.dll
Mscorwks.dll
Mscorlib.ni.dll.aux
Sortdefault.nls
System.xml.ni.dll.aux
Pubpol47.dat
System.ni.dll.aux
Mscorlib.dl
Nx Ransomware’s Encryption Process
For the encryption of files, the Nx virus is believed to use a combination of two of the strongest known ciphers for public use.
Rivest-Shamir-Adleman or RSA encryption.
Advanced Encryption Standard also known as AES.
The AES cipher may be used to scramble the following important files, if detected on the compromised computer:
→ .AVI, .C, .CLASS, .CONFIG, .CPP, .CS, .CSC, .DBX, .DOC, .DOCX, .EML, .GIF, .GZ, .H, .JAVA, .JPG, .JS, .JSON, .JSP, .MBX, .MP3, .MP4, .MPEG, .MSG, .NEF, .PDF, .PHP, .PNG, .PPT, .PPTX, .PST, .PY, .R, .RAR, .TAR, .TXT, .VB, .VBS, .WAB, .XAML, .XLS, .XLSX, .ZIP Source: id-ransomware.blogspot.bg
After these files have already been encoded by this ransomware virus, the infection may use the RSA cipher to further insert private and public keys within the files themselves, making them increasingly difficult to decrypt, primarily because different key may be assigned to each of the files.
When the encryption process has completed, the files encoded by it can no longer be opened and the user may be presented a ransom note with instructions on how to decrypt them by making a payoff.
Remove Nx Ransomware and Restore Encoded Files
Before beginning the removal process of Nx Ransomware infection, users are advised to perform multiple backups of the encrypted files, just in case.
For the removal of this virus to be successful, we advise following the instruction steps down below, which will help isolate the threat and then locate the malicious files belonging to this virus and delete them. In case you cannot manually locate the files or feel unsure that manual removal would do the job, experts always advise downloading an advanced anti-malware tool to scan for and remove those malicious objects automatically and protect your computer against future threats as well.
For the file restoration, there is no free decryption scenario at the moment. However, we will track the situation and post decryption instructions with web links as soon as there are such available. In the meantime, we advise following the alternative methods for restoring your files at your own risk, even though they are not 100% guaranteed to get all the files back. They are located down in step “2. Restore files encrypted by Nx Ransomware”.
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 Nx Ransomware with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall Nx 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 Nx 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 Nx 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 Nx Ransomware
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Nx 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 Nx 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.
Nx Ransomware-FAQ
What is Nx Ransomware Ransomware?
Nx 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 Nx 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 Nx Ransomware Infect?
Via several ways.Nx 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 Nx 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 .Nx Ransomware files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .Nx 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 .Nx Ransomware files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".Nx Ransomware" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Nx 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 Nx 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 Nx Ransomware ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Nx 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 Nx 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 Nx Ransomware Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Nx 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 Nx 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.
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.