Remove Bitmessage Ransomware and Restore .Bleep Encrypted Files

Bleep, .1999, .0x0, .fu*k – these are the file extensions used by the nasty Bitmessage ransomware virus that encrypts the files on the computers it infects and asks 2,5 BTC to decrypt them. After encryption, the files become unable to be opened because they are encoded with a very powerful AES-256 encryption algorithm. Users who have been infected with the virus are strongly advised not to pay any ransom money and wait for a decrypter to be released. In the meantime, you should remove the ransomware using the instructions in this article, and you may try our alternative suggestions to restore your data.

Threat Summary

Name	Bitmessage Virus
Type	Ransomware
Short Description	The ransomware encrypts files with the AES-256 cipher and asks a ransom for decryption.
Symptoms	Files are encrypted and become inaccessible. A ransom note with instructions for paying the ransom shows as several txt files.
Distribution Method	Spam Emails, Email Attachments, File Sharing Networks.
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by Bitmessage Virus Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join our forum to Discuss Bitmessage Ransomware.

Bitmessage Ransomware – How Is It Spread

To infect users, Bitmessage has been reported to use spam e-mail messages to distribute its payload. This can happen either via a Malicious URL or via a malicious e-mail attachment. Such can be featured in e-mails whose topics resemble services which are widely used, for example:

• “Your FedEx Delivery.”
• “Confirm your order.”
• “Your receipt.”
• “PayPal: Your Account Has Been Suspended”
• “Your BestBuy order has been delivered.”

Such e-mails may either contain malicious links or attachments which can contain:

• Malicious JavaScript.
• ExploitKits.
• Obfuscated executables.

Users are also strongly advised against clicking on e-mails, which resemble the following sample:

Bitmessage Ransomware In Detail

Upon execution on the infected computer, Bitmessage may create a malicious file in one of the following Windows folders:

• %AppData%
• %Roaming%
• %User’s Profile%
• %Temp%
• %Local%

After creating the malicious file, it may be executed and start scanning for the following files to encrypt them. The ransomware has been reported to look for files with the following file extensions to encrypt them:

→ .113 .1cd .3dm .3ds .3fr .3g2 .3gp .3pr .73b .7z .a3d .ab4 .abf .abk .ac2 .accdb .accde .accdr .accdt .acr .adb .aep .agd1 .ach .ai .ait .al .apj .apk .ark .arw .as4 .asf .asm .asp .asset .asvx .asx .ate .ati .avi .awg .azw .azw4 .b1 .bac .back .backup .backupdb .bak .bakx .bar .bay .bb .bc6 .bc7 .bck .bcm .bdb .bgt .big .bik .bin .bkf .bkp .blend .blob .bpw .bsa .c .cab .cas .cb7 .cbr .cbt .ccd .cdf .cdr .cdr3 .cdr4 .cdr5 .cdr6 .cdrw .cdx .ce1 .ce2 .cer .cf .cfp .cfr .cgm .cib .cls .cmt .con .cpi .cpp .cpt .cr2 .craw .crt .crw .cs .csh .csl .css .csv .ctb .d3dbsp .dac .das .dat .data .db .db0 .db3 .dba .dbf .dc2 .dc3 .dcr .dcs .ddrw .dds .der .des .desc .design .dgb .dgc .dicom .divx .djvu .dmg .dmp .dng .doc .docm .docx .dot .dotm .dotx .drf .drw .dt .dta .dtaus .dtd .dwfx .dwg .dxb .dxf .dxg .edi .eml .emlx .epk .eps .epub .erbsql .erf .esm .exf .fb2 .fbf .fbk .fbw .fbx .fdb .ffd .fff .fh .fhd .fla .flac .flv .forge .fos .fpk .fpx .fsh .fxg .gbk .gdb .gho .gif .gpx .gray .grey .gros .gry .h .hbk .hkdb .hkx .hplg .hpp .htm .html .hvpl .hxi .hxq .hxr .hxs .hxw .chi .chm .chq .chw .ibank .ibd .ibz .icxs .idx .iff .img .inc .incpas .iso .itdb .itl .itm .iv2i .iwd .iwi .jar .java .jpe .jpeg .jpg .js .kc2 .kdb .kdbx .kdc .key .keystore .keystore .kf .kpdx .layout .lbf .ldf .lic .lit .litemod .lrf .ltx .lua .lvl .m .m2 .m2v .m3d .m3u .m4a .m4v .map .max .mcmeta .mdb .mdbackup .mdc .mddata .mdf .mds .mef .menu .mfw .mkv .mlx .mmw .mobi .model .moneywell .mos .mov .mp3 .mp4 .mpeg-1 .mpeg-2 .mpeg-4 .mpg .mpg .mpq .mpqge .mrw .mrwref .msg .myd .nbd .ncf .nd .ndd .nef .netcdf .nk2 .nop .nrw .ns2 .ns3 .ns4 .nsd .nsf .nsg .nsh .ntl .nwb .nx1 .nx2 .nyf .oab .obj .odb .odc .odf .odg .odm .odp .ods .odt .orf .ost .otg .oth .otp .ots .ott .p12 .p7b .p7c .pab .pak .pas .pat .pcd .pct .pdb .pdb .pdd .pdf .pef .pem .pfx .php .pkpass .pl .png .pot .potm .potx .ppam .pps .ppsm .ppsx .ppt .pptm .pptx .prf .prproj .ps .psafe3 .psd .psk .pst .ptx .pub .pwm .py .pz3 .qba .qbb .qbm .qbo .qbr .qbw .qbx .qby .qdf .qfx .qic .qif .qt .qvw .s3db .sav .sb .sbs .sd0 .sd1 .sda .sdf .sdxf .shtm .shtml .sid .sidd .sidn .sie .sis .sldasm .sldm .sldprt .sldx .slm .sln .sn1 .sna .snx .spf .sql .sqlite .sqlite3 .sqlitedb .sr2 .srf .srt .srw .st4 .st5 .st6 .st7 .st8 .stc .std .sti .stw .stx .sub .sum .suo .svg .swf .swm .sxc .sxd .sxg .sxi .sxm .sxw .t12 .t13 .tar .tax .tbl .tex .tga .tib .tis .tlg .trn .txt .upk .vcf .vdf .vfs0 .vob .vob .vpk .vpp_pc .vtf .w3x .wab .wallet .wav .wbb .wbcat .wdb .wif .wim .win .wma .wmo .wmv .wpd .wps .x3f .xar .xf .xla .xlam .xlk .xll .xlm .xlr .xls .xlsb .xlsk .xlsm .xlsx .xlt .xltm .xltx .xlw .xmi .xml .ycbcra .yuv .z .zip .ztmp

The encrypted files are unable to be opened, because their code is changed to an AES-256 enciphered one. This type of encryption is one of the strongest, and the only method to crack it quickly is to find a flaw in the virus itself.

The encrypted files have one of the following file extensions:

• .bleep
• .1999
• .0x0
• .fu*k

Encrypted files may look like this:

After encryption, Bitmessage ransomware adds the following files:

• FILESAREGONE.TXT – A ransom note with the demands by the cyber-criminals.
• READTHISNOW !!!. TXT – A ransom note with instructions about paying the ransom.
• IHAVEYOURSECRET.KEY – A file containing a private or a public AES key without which you cannot unlock your files.
• Secret.key, Secret.key2 – other .key files.

The ransom note feature in the FILESAREGONE.TXT is the following:

→ “Hello.
All your files have been encrypted using our extremely strong private key. There is no way to recover them without our assistance. If you want to get your files back, you must be ready to pay for them. If you are broke and poor, sorry, we cannot help you. If you are ready to pay, then get in touch with
us using a secure and anonymous p2p messenger. We have to use a messenger, because standard emails get blocked quickly and if our email gets blocked your files will be lost forever.
Go to http://bitmessage.org/, download and run Bitmessage. Click Your Identities tab > then click New > then click OK (this will generate your personal address, you need to do this just once). Then click Send tab.
TO: {Unique ID}
SUBJECT: name of your PC or your IP address or both.
MESSAGE: Hi, I am ready to pay.
Click Send button.
You are done.
To get the fastest reply from us with all further instructions, please keep your Bitmessage running on the computer at all times, if possible, or as often as you can, because Bitmessage is a bit slow and it takes time to send and get messages. If you cooperate and follow the instructions, you will get all your files back intact and very, very soon. Thank you.”

The instructions in the READTHISNOW.txt file are the following:

→ “Hello.
All your files have been encrypted using our private key. There is no way to recover them without our assistance.
If you want to get your files back, you must be ready to pay for them. If you are ready to pay then follow the instructions:
1) Create an archive (rar or zip) with 3 files inside: Secret.key + Secret.key2 (should be on your desktop) + Any encrypted file of a small size. It can be a .doc or .pdf or .xls or whatever you have. 5 mb max. Note that this file should have this extention: .0x0; please don’t put more than one file in the archive, one file is enough. If you can’t find Secret.key2, that’s OK. It will take just a little bit more time to restore your files, so you shouldn’t worry.
2) Upload this archive to any file sharing site. Dropbox, Google Drive, sendspace.com etc.
3) Go to http://bitmessage.org/ and download Bitmessage.
4) Run Bitmessage. Select ‘Your Identities’ tab. Then click New. Then click OK. Then select ‘Send’ tab.
TO: BM-%address% (this is our address)
SUBJECT: your PC name (Start -> Control Panel -> System)
MESSAGE: Link to the archive with three files in it. Then click ‘Send’.
You are done!
To get the fastest reply from us with all further instructions, please keep Bitmessage running on your computer all the time, if possible. If you cooperate and follow the instructions, you will get all your files back intact and very, very soon. Thank you.”

In addition to those, the ransomware may also modify the following registry key adding a setting for its malicious executable to run and encrypt files every time you boot Windows:

→ HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Bitmessage ransomware may also delete the shadow copies of the infected computer, eliminating the file history if it is enabled. This is done by executing the following command:

→ vssadmin delete shadows /for={The targeted volume} /all

Not only this but unlike other ransomware viruses, this one uses a very particular contact service which includes messaging service, called Bitmessage which most likely uses encrypted communications. This Is a relatively new and interesting approach by cyber-criminals, and the number of viruses that have it has increased.

Remove Bitmessage Ransomware and Restore the Encrypted Files

To fully erase Bitmessage Ransomware from your computer, be sure to follow the step-by-step instructions below. They will help to deal effectively with the threat. If you are having issues removing this virus manually, we advise to automatically scan for and delete all its associated objects with an advanced anti-malware tool.

In addition to that, to try and restore your files, we have provided alternative solutions in step “3.Restore files encrypted by Bitmessage Virus” below. They may not be 100 percent effective, and you will most likely restore a small portion of your files, but it is a good alternative for until a decryptor is released. Make sure to follow this article for further updates about direct file decryption.

Manually delete Bitmessage Virus from your computer

Note! Substantial notification about the Bitmessage Virus threat: Manual removal of Bitmessage Virus requires interference with system files and registries. Thus, it can cause damage to your PC. Even if your computer skills are not at a professional level, don’t worry. You can do the removal yourself just in 5 minutes, using a malware removal tool.

1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Bitmessage Virus files and objects

Boot Your PC Into Safe Mode

1. For Windows 7,XP and Vista. 2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.

For Windows XP, Vista, 7 systems:

1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu.
2. Select one of the two options provided below:

– For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again.

– For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system.

3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“.

4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account

While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.

Step 1: Open the Start Menu

Step 2: Whilst holding down Shift button, click on Power and then click on Restart.
Step 3: After reboot, the aftermentioned menu will appear. From there you should choose Troubleshoot.

Step 4: You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu you can choose Advanced Options.

Step 5: After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.

Step 6: Click on Restart.

Step 7: A menu will appear upon reboot. You should choose Safe Mode by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart.

2.Find malicious files created by Bitmessage Virus on your PC

Find malicious files created by Bitmessage Virus

1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. 2. For Windows 7,XP and Vista.

For Newer Windows Operating Systems

Step 1:

On your keyboard press  + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.

Step 2:

Click on your PC from the quick access bar. This is usually an icon with a monitor and its name is either “My Computer”, “My PC” or “This PC” or whatever you have named it.

Step 3:

Navigate to the search box in the top-right of your PC’s screen and type “fileextension:” and after which type the file extension. If you are looking for malicious executables, an example may be “fileextension:exe”. After doing that, leave a space and type the file name you believe the malware has created. Here is how it may appear if your file has been found:

N.B. We recommend to wait for the green loading bar in the navination box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn’t found it yet.

For Older Windows Operating Systems

In older Windows OS’s the conventional approach should be the effective one:

Step 1:

Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.

Step 2:

After the search window appears, choose More Advanced Options from the search assistant box. Another way is by clicking on All Files and Folders.

Step 3:

After that type the name of the file you are looking for and click on the Search button. This might take some time after which results will appear. If you have found the malicious file, you may copy or open its location by right-clicking on it.

Now you should be able to discover any file on Windows as long as it is on your hard drive and is not concealed via special software.

3.Fix registry entries created by Bitmessage Virus on your PC

Fix registry entries created by Bitmessage Virus on your PC.

Some malicious scripts may modify the registry entries of your computer to change different settings. This is why manual clean up of your Windows Registry Database is strongly recommended. Since the tutorial on how to do this is a bit lenghty, we recommend following our instructive article about fixing registry entries.

Automatically remove Bitmessage Virus by downloading an advanced anti-malware program

1. Remove Bitmessage Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

Remove Bitmessage Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Install SpyHunter to scan for and remove Bitmessage Virus.2. Scan with SpyHunter to Detect and Remove Bitmessage Virus.

Step 1:Click on the “Download” button to proceed to SpyHunter’s download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is highly recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter.

Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.
Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to automatically update.

Step1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Scan Computer Now’ button.

Step2: After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any Bitmessage Virus files, click on the ‘Fix Threats’ button to remove them automatically and permanently.

Step3: Once the intrusions on your PC have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart it.

2. Back up your data to secure it against infections and file encryption by Bitmessage Virus in the future

Back up your data to secure it against attacks in the future

IMPORTANT! Before reading the Windows backup instructions, we highly recommend to back up your data automatically with cloud backup and insure it against any type of data loss on your device, even the most severe. We recommend reading more about and downloading SOS Online Backup .

SOS Online Backup

To back up your files via Windows and prevent any future intrusions, follow these instructions:

1. For Windows 7 and earlier 1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10 1. Enabling the Windows Defense Feature (Previous Versions)

1-Click on Windows Start Menu

2-Type Backup And Restore
3-Open it and click on Set Up Backup

4-A window will appear asking you where to set up backup. You should have a flash drive or an external hard drive. Mark it by clicking on it with your mouse then click on Next.

5-On the next window, the system will ask you what do you want to backup. Choose the ‘Let Me Choose’ option and then click on Next.

6-Click on ‘Save settings and run backup’ on the next window in order to protect your files from possible attacks by Bitmessage Virus.

1-Press Windows button + R

2-In the window type ‘filehistory’ and press Enter

3-A File History window will appear. Click on ‘Configure file history settings’

4-The configuration menu for File History will appear. Click on ‘Turn On’. After its on, click on Select Drive in order to select the backup drive. It is recommended to choose an external HDD, SSD or a USB stick whose memory capacity is corresponding to the size of the files you want to backup.

5-Select the drive then click on ‘Ok’ in order to set up file backup and protect yourself from Bitmessage Virus.

1- Press Windows button + R keys.

2- A run windows should appear. In it type ‘sysdm.cpl’ and then click on Run.

3- A System Properties windows should appear. In it choose System Protection.

5- Click on Turn on system protection and select the size on the hard disk you want to utilize for system protection.
6- Click on Ok and you should see an indication in Protection settings that the protection from Bitmessage Virus is on.

Restoring a file via Windows Defense feature:
1-Right-click on the encrypted file, then choose Properties.

2-Click on the Previous Versions tab and then mark the last version of the file.

3-Click on Apply and Ok and the file encrypted by Bitmessage Virus should be restored.

3. Restore files encrypted by Bitmessage Virus

Restore Files Encrypted by Bitmessage Virus

Security engineers strongly advise users NOT to pay the ransom money and attempt restoring the files using other methods. Here are several suggestions:

To restore your data, your first bet is to check again for shadow copies in Windows using this software:

Shadow Explorer

If this method does not work, Kaspersky have provided a decryptors for files encrypted with the this and other encryption algorithms:

Kaspersky Decryptors

Another method of restoring your files is by trying to bring back your files via data recovery software. Here are some examples of data recovery programs:

• Stellar Phoenix Data Recovery Technicians License(Pro version with more features)
• Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery
• Stellar Phoenix Photo Recovery

There is also the technical option to use a network sniffer:

Another way to decrypt the files is by using a Network Sniffer to get the encryption key, while files are encrypted on your system. A Network Sniffer is a program and/or device monitoring data traveling over a network, such as its internet traffic and internet packets. If you have a sniffer set before the attack happened you might get information about the decryption key. For more information click on the following article.

Optional: Using Alternative Anti-Malware Tools

Remove Bitmessage Virus Using Other Alternative Tools

STOPZilla Anti Malware

1. Download and Install STOPZilla Anti-malware to Scan for And Remove Bitmessage Virus.
Step 1: Download STOPZilla by clicking here.
Step 2: A pop-up window will appear. Click on the ‘Save File’ button. If it does not, click on the Download button and save it afterwards.

Step 3: After you have downloaded the setup, simply open it.
Step 4: The installer should appear. Click on the ‘Next’ button.

Step 5: Check the ‘I accept the agreement’ check circle if not checked if you accept it and click the ‘Next’ button once again.

Step 6: Review and click on the ‘Install’ button.

Step 7: After the installation process has completed click on the ‘Finish’ button.

2. Scan your PC with STOPZilla Anti Malware to remove all Bitmessage Virus associated files completely.
Step 1: Launch STOPZilla if you haven’t launched it after install.
Step 2: Wait for the software to automatically scan and then click on the ‘Repair Now’ button. If it does not scan automatically, click on the ‘Scan Now’ button.

Step 3: After the removal of all threats and associated objects, you should Restart your PC.

Vencislav Krustev

A network administrator and malware researcher at SensorsTechForum with passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cyber security. Strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.

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5 Comments

1. Sneha June 27, 2016 at 6:38 am

   I think e-mails are the most common way for the Ransomwares to spread my system was hit by Petya Ransomware and I am sure that it came through an e-mail. So, is there any software that can detect a malicious e-mail.

   Reply ↓
   1. SensorsTechForum June 27, 2016 at 6:59 am

      Hello Sneha,

      You can use spam blocking software and spam filters. Spam filters are designed to identify and detect spam, and prevent it from reaching your inbox. Make sure to add a spam filter to your email. Gmail users can refer to Google’s support page.

      You can also consider installing an anti-ransomware tool: http://sensorstechforum.com/the-most-popular-free-anti-ransomware-tools/

      Reply ↓
      1. Sneha June 27, 2016 at 12:56 pm

         Hello,
         Thanks for your help. It was useful to me.

         Reply ↓
         1. shailesh July 18, 2016 at 5:03 am

            hey pls give me strong solution

            Reply ↓
2. shailesh July 8, 2016 at 9:55 am

   hi
   i want to encrypted photo recover raas Encrypted Files recover pls help me

   Reply ↓

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