There is a new ransomware on the loose, called Jigsaw. The Jigsaw ransomware is themed on the movie series ‘Saw’ and encrypts files with over 120 extension types. To see the solution for restoring your files and remove the ransomware, you should read the whole article carefully.
Threat Summary
| Name | Jigsaw Ransomware |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Short Description | The ransomware encrypts files with different extensions and asks a ransom for decryption. |
| Symptoms | Files with over 120 extension types get encrypted. A ‘Saw’ themed message with instructions for paying the ransom is shown. Every hour files get deleted if the ransom is not paid. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, File Sharing Networks |
| Detection Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by Jigsaw Ransomware Download Malware Removal Tool |
| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Jigsaw 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. |
Jigsaw Ransomware (.fun) – Update February 2019
The Jigsaw Ransomware with the .fun extension has been spotted in the wild by malware researchers at the beginning of February 2019. A malware sample has been uploaded to the VirusTotal service as it can be seen from the screenshot showcased down here:
What is more, the ransom note message which shows in the GUI interface is accompanied by a new image stating that is “anti-capitalist” and shows part of the text in French as it becomes evident from the below image:
Other than the things stated above, no drastic changes are seen in the code of the ransomware. It should still be decryptable.
Jigsaw Ransomware Decryptor
Jigsaw Ransomware – Distribution
Jigsaw ransomware can be spread in multiple ways. One of them is through spam emails which have a malicious file attached. Opening this attachment can inject the malware inside your computer. The file can be with the name firefox.exe trying to trick you it’s the famous web browser Mozilla Firefox.
The Jigsaw ransomware could also be spread on social networks and file sharing services. DropBox is not excluded. Social media and file sharing sites can also have malicious code or files attached. Visiting untrusted websites and clicking on such links is another way of getting this malware infection.
Jigsaw Ransomware – Description
The Jigsaw malware is classified as a ransomware. It will encrypt your files, so they become inaccessible. It asks for money to be paid as ransom. If the ransom is not paid, files will get deleted every hour.
The following files will be created:
%AppData%\Frfx\firefox.exe
%AppData%\Drpbx\drpbx.exe
%AppData%\System32Work\EncryptedFileList.txt
and
%AppData%\System32Work\Address.txt
The first two files from the above-listed ones are created so the ransomware can be masked as the Firefox web browser or a process related to the DropBox application. All of the above is done to trick users that these are legitimate processes if viewed from a Task Manager window.
The Windows Registry is also modified. This registry entry is made:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\ “firefox.exe” = “%AppData%\Frfx\firefox.exe”
That registry entry is set to make the earlier created file firefox.exe to auto-start. It will start with each boot of the Windows operating system and launch the Jigsaw ransomware.
Afterward, the ransomware pops up a screen with a picture of a puppet used in the movie ‘Saw’ – used by the character Jigsaw. That is why the ransomware bears the name of the character. Instructions for paying the ransom are being typed live on the screen, like somebody is typing them in as the face of the puppet is covered:
You are asked to pay around 0.4 Bitcoins or 150 US dollars within one hour. If you do not comply – every hour encrypted files will get deleted and if three days pass – all files will be erased.
The ransom message reads the following:
Your computer files have been encrypted. Your photos, videos, documents, etc….
But, don’t worry! I have not deleted them, yet.
You have 24 hours to pay 150 USD in Bitcoins to get the decryption key.
Every hour files will be deleted. Increasing in amount every time.
After 72 hours all that are left will be deleted.If you do not have bitcoins Google the website localbitcoins.
Purchase 150 American Dollars worth of Bitcoins or .4 BTC. The system will accept either one.
Send to the Bitcoins address specified.
Within two minutes of receiving your payment your computer will receive the decryption key and return to normal.
Try anything funny and the computer has several safety measures to delete your files.
As soon as the payment is received the crypted files will be returned to normal.Thank you
Contacting or paying the ransomware creators is strongly NOT advised. Nobody can guarantee that you will get your files restored. Paying the money will not only be considered as a support to the cyber crooks, but it will probably trigger them to make a stronger version of the malware as well.
Here is a picture of a malware sample uploaded to VirusTotal, being detected by most anti-malware programs already:
The Jigsaw ransomware searches your disk drives for file encryption. According to Symantec researchers, the ransomware looks for files with over 120 extensions, including the following:
→ .3dm, .3g2, .3gp, .aaf, .accdb, .aep, .aepx, .aet, .ai, .aif, .as, .as3, .asf, .asp, .asx, .avi, .bmp, .c, .class, .cpp, .cs, .csv, .dat, .db, .dbf, .doc, .docb, .docm, .docx, .dot, .dotm, .dotx, .dwg, .dxf, .efx, .eps, .fla, .flv, .gif, .h, .idml, .iff, .indb, .indd, .indl, .indt, .inx, .jar, .java, .jpeg, .jpg, .js, .m3u, .m3u8, .m4u, .max, .mdb, .mid, .mov, .mp3, .mp4, .mpa, .mpeg, .mpg, .msg, .pdb, .pdf, .php, .plb, .pmd, .png, .pot, .potm, .potx, .ppam, .ppj, .pps, .ppsm, .ppsx, .ppt, .pptm, .pptx, .prel, .prproj, .ps, .psd, .py, .ra, .raw, .rb, .rtf, .sdf, .ses, .sldm, .sldx, .sql, .svg, .swf, .tif, .txt, .vcf, .vob, .wav, .wma, .wmv, .wpd, .wps, .xla, .xlam, .xll, .xlm, .xls, .xlsb, .xlsm, .xlsx, .xlt, .xltm, .xltx, .xlw, .xml, .xqx, .xqx
The AES algorithm is used for encryption and the ransomware will put a .fun, .btc and .kkk extension to the encrypted files. There might be more versions that append other extensions to the encrypted files. If you restart your computer, around 1,000 of the encrypted files will be deleted from your disk drives.
A solution to get your files back has been found, and if you already restarted your PC after the encryption process was complete, you shouldn’t worry too much as you can use Data Recovery software for that.
Remove Jigsaw Ransomware and Restore .fun, .kkk, .btc Encrypted Files
If Jigsaw ransomware infected your PC, do not worry, as there is a solution to decrypt your files without paying. If you were infected by this ransomware, you should have at least a little bit of experience in removing malware. See the instructions written below to see how to recover your files.
- Guide 1: How to Remove Jigsaw Ransomware from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Jigsaw Ransomware from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Jigsaw Ransomware from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Jigsaw Ransomware from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Jigsaw Ransomware from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Jigsaw Ransomware from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Jigsaw Ransomware from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove Jigsaw Ransomware from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Jigsaw Ransomware
Step 2: Uninstall Jigsaw 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 Jigsaw 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 Jigsaw 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of Jigsaw Ransomware from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Jigsaw 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 Jigsaw 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 2: Scan for and remove Jigsaw Ransomware files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Jigsaw Ransomware, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. Combo Cleaner offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove Jigsaw Ransomware from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Erase Jigsaw Ransomware from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Uninstall Jigsaw Ransomware from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove Jigsaw Ransomware from Safari.
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the Jigsaw Ransomware will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate Jigsaw Ransomware from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
