Oct Ransomware
The Oct is а ransomware infection that has been reported to encrypt files and rename them with the malicious .oct file extension. Like a typical cryptovirus, the Oct virus scans infected systems for personal files and transforms their code with a strong cipher algorithm. Then the ransomware drops a file to extort a ransom fee from victims. Note that a ransom transferred to cybercriminals is not a reliable solution. Sometimes, users lose both their files and money.
In the unfortunate event that you are a victim of Oct ransomware, it is recommendable to avoid any negotiations with cybercriminals and consider the help of secure weapons of choice. Keep reading.
Oct Ransomware Summary
| Name | Oct also known as Win32:RansomX-gen [Ransom], HEUR:Trojan-Ransom.MSIL.Agent.gen, Gen:Heur.Ransom.Imps.3 |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Ransom Message | READ_ME.txt |
| Short Description | Severe malware that is designed to encrypt valualbe files stored on compromised computers so that it can extort a ransom fee from victims. |
| Symptoms | Files are encrypted and renamed with the extension .oct Ransom message extorts a payment for files recovery. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Oct 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. |
Oct Virus
Oct ransomware is a new crypto infection that is lurking in the wild. Its active attack campaigns can be set against online users worldwide. Popular techniques such as malspam, freeware installers, and corrupted websites may be utilized for its propagation.
Malspam is a technique that is believed to be preferred by hackers. It is realized via massive spam email campaigns. The email messages that are part of such campaigns usually attempt to trick you into downloading the malicious software by presenting it as an important document in a file attachment, a clickable link/button, or another interactive element.
If a user happens to run Oct’s payload file on his machine, he will hardly notice any unusual issues. The ransomware is designed to operate in the background of all other running apps in order to be able to complete its attack to the end.
It can perform lots of system modifications that heavily damage the operating system and interrupt its proper performance after the attack. For sure the data corruption stage is the main one. During this stage, the PC may be slowed down and random freezes may occur.
As regards the encryption process, Oct ransomware uses a special cipher module that scans all drives for commonly used types of files. Its goal is to transform files’ code with the usage of a sophisticated cipher algorithm. This in turn makes all corrupted files unusable until their code is reverted back to its original state.
The ransomware could encrypt files, which are from the following file types:
- Audio files
- Video files
- Document files
- Image files
- Backup files
- Banking credentials, etc
The data encryption stage prevents you from using your valuable data. You can recognize encrypted files by the malicious .oct extension appended by the ransomware.
At last, Oct ransomware drops a file called READ_ME.txt on the system and loads it in the default browser. The file contains a specially crafted ransom message that attempts to extort a ransom fee for the .oct files’ decryptor. Here is a copy of its text:
———-OCT_RANSOMWARE 1.2V———-
==========
Warning! Warning! Your documents, photos, and other important files have been encrypted by a powerful algorithm.
Your files are stored on our server, and we can delete and change these files at any time.
But if you want to restore your file, you have to pay us for the decryption.
Follow the instructions to recover your files!!!
==========
—————INSTRUCTIONS—————1. send a e-mail to octencrypt4444@gmail.com .
2. leave any messages. If you leave message, I will reply.
3. If you send your encrypted files, I will made you give me a money.
4. If you pay money by me, I will decrypted your files and return your decrypted files.
5. But you don’t pay money, I will delete all your files.
==========——————-MY MESSAGE——————-
If you can’t pay the money to me, I will decrypt your files for free!!!
But, you should pay money in a week!!!!!!
If you don’t pay the money over two weeks, I will expose your privacy and delete all your files and data!!==========
——————-DOWNLOAD TOR BROWSER——————-
hxxps://tor-browser.softonic.kr/
——————MY TOR BROWSER SITE——————
octencrypt-1359BASK-yllqf.onion
octencrypt-1322FSQS-nngae.onion
Be advised to refrain from paying hackers the ransom as this action does not guarantee the recovery of your encrypted .oct files. There is a chance that the code of the threat is full of bugs. Hence, the decrypter won’t be able to recover .oct files.
Remove Oct ransomware and Restore Data
The so-called Oct ransomware is a threat with highly complex code that heavily damages both essential system settings and valuable data. So the only way to use your infected system securely again is to remove all malicious files and objects created by the ransomware. For this purpose, you could follow our step-by-step removal guide.
In the event that you want to attempt to restore .oct files with the help of alternative data recovery methods, do check the step – Try to Restore files encrypted by Oct ransomware. We remind you to back up all encrypted files to an external drive before the recovery process.
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online 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.
- Guide 1: How to Remove Oct Ransomware from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Oct Ransomware from Mac OS X.
How to Remove Oct Ransomware from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Oct Ransomware
Step 2: Uninstall Oct Ransomware 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 Oct 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 Oct 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: Scan for Oct Ransomware with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Oct Ransomware.
Ransomware infections and Oct 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 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 Oct Ransomware from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Oct Ransomware 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 Oct Ransomware 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 Oct Ransomware.
Ransomware infections and Oct 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 top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Oct Ransomware FAQ
What is Oct Ransomware ransomware and how does it work?
Oct 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 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 Oct Ransomware ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.Oct Ransomware 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 Oct 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 .Oct Ransomware files?
You can't. At this point the .Oct Ransomware 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 .Oct Ransomware files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by Oct Ransomware 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 ".Oct Ransomware" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Oct Ransomware 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 Oct Ransomware 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 Oct Ransomware ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Oct Ransomware files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like Oct Ransomware 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.
How to 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.
