Remove Matrix Ransomware and Restore .ITLOCK Files

Security reports indicate that a new iteration of the Matrix ransomware has been identified processing the victim files with the .ITLOCK extension.

Our article provides an overview of the virus operations and it also may be helpful in attempting to remove the virus.

Threat Summary

Name	Matrix Ransomware
Type	Ransomware, Cryptovirus
Short Description	The ransomware encrypts files by placing the .ITLOCK extension on your computer system and demands a ransom to be paid to allegedly recover them.
Symptoms	The ransomware will encrypt your files and leave a ransom note with payment instructions.
Distribution Method	Spam Emails, Email Attachments
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by Matrix Ransomware Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss Matrix 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.

Matrix Ransomware – Distribution Tactics

The .ITLOCK Matrix ransomware variant is a new custom variant that is derived from the well-known virus family. As such we presume that the hackers are going to use the typical distribution tactics like previous iterations. As there is a fairy low number of found infections we presume that the captured samples are test versions or the initial limited release.

A typical infection will make use of phishing email messages that are designed to imitate well-known Internet sites or services that the users might use. The criminals often use templates for password reset notifications, software updates and other messages that require some kind of a user interaction. The malicious files can be directly attached or linked in the body contents.

Matrix ransomware infections can also be caused by interacting with fake download sites which are created in a similar way. They can impersonate the vendor download pages of well-known applications or use other social engineering techniques.

Matrix ransomware strains be embedded in infected payload carriers of which there are two popular types:

• Documents — There are many examples that can be used to cause infections utilizing the most common types: spreadsheets, presentations, rich text documents and databases. Upon opening them the victim user will be shown a notification box asking them to enable the built-in scripts. If this is done the macros will trigger the ransomware deployment.
• Application Installers — A similar technique is the inclusion of the virus code in hacker-modified setup files of popular software. They are distributed using the same tactics used by the hackers to solitary virus files.

Both the Matrix ransomware files and its many carrier forms can be spread on various file-sharing networks like BitTorrent. They are frequently used to distribute pirate content or image files of Linux distributions.

Large-scale infections can be caused by the upload of dangerous web browser plugins, alternatively known as hijackers or redirects. They are made compatible with the most popular web browsers and are uploaded to their respective repositories. They are accompanied by elaborate descriptions with promises of enhancing the software — adding new functionality or optimizing the already existing base. Fake user reviews and developer credentials are employed to further convince the victims into installing them. When this is done the built-in code will reconfigure the software into redirecting the users to a hacker-controlled page, the most important settings are altered: the default home page, new tabs page and search engine. Following this the virus will be deployed.

Matrix Ransomware – In-Depth Analysis

The .ITLOCK Matrix ransomware follows the typical behavior pattern used by previous versions. This means that the modular framework can be fine tuned to follow different patterns depending on the exact campaign. Usually the first module that is run afterwards is the data harvesting component. Depending on its configuration it can hijack data that can be used by the hackers to optimize the attacks — a report on the installed hardware components, user settings and operating system values. Additional information can be extracted which can be used to expose the identity of the victims by revealing their name, address, location, interests and any stored account credentials. The information may be collected and sent to the operators automatically or archived in a secure location and accessed at a later stage.

This data can then be processed by another module called stealth protection which can scan the victim system for any security software or services that can interfere with the correct virus execution. This is usually done by using signatures to scan for anti-virus engines, sandbox environments and virtual machine hosts. Their real-time engines can be bypassed or the software completely deleted.

When these two components have finished execution the Matrix ransomware the main engine will have complete control of the victim system. This leads to the ability to cause various system modifications including the following:

• Persistent Installation — The main engine can be installed in a persistent way. The results from this action are that it will be started automatically once the users power on their systems. This action can prevent certain system processes and user-installed applications from running properly. In some cases this can also prevent access to the recovery boot menu.
• Windows Registry Changes — Matrix ransomware samples may be programmed to modify the Windows Registry entries belonging both to user-installed applications and the operating system itself. This can cause a significant drop in performance and make the infected systems very unstable. Certain services or functions can become unusable.
• Files Manipulation — One of the most common consequences of having a Matrix ransomware infections is the deletion of Shadow Volume Copies and Restore Points which makes recovery more difficult.

If configured so some Matrix ranasomware can lead to a Trojan infection. The default behavior is for the malicious engine to download and execute a client instance. It will set up a secure connection to a hacker-controlled server. It allows the hacker operators to take over control of the infected victims, steal their files and spy on the victims.

Other modules can be added as desired depending on the hacker configuration.

Matrix Ransomware – Encryption Process

Matrix ransomware strains engage in the typical encryption behavior. It will process user data according to a built-in list of target file type extensions. An example list can target the following file types:

• Archives
• Backups
• Databases
• Images
• Music
• Videos

As a result all victim files will be renamed with the .ITLOCK extension. A generic ransomware note will be created in a file called !ITLOCK_README!.rtf which will blackmail the victims into paying the criminals a fee for “restoring their files”. In reality they will ignore the infected hosts and just take the money.

Advanced versions can also lead to a deployment of a lockscreen which will actively block the ability to use the computer until the infection is completely removed.

Remove Matrix Ransomware and Restore .ITLOCK Files

If your computer system got infected with the Matrix ransomware virus, you should have a bit of experience in removing malware. You should get rid of this ransomware as quickly as possible before it can have the chance to spread further and infect other computers. You should remove the ransomware and follow the step-by-step instructions guide provided below.

Note! Your computer system may be affected by Matrix Ransomware and other threats.
Scan Your PC with SpyHunter
SpyHunter is a powerful malware removal tool designed to help users with in-depth system security analysis, detection and removal of Matrix Ransomware.
Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter’s malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.

To remove Matrix Ransomware follow these steps:

1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Matrix Ransomware files and objects

Boot Your PC Into Safe Mode

1. For Windows XP, Vista and 7. 2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. Fix registry entries created by malware and PUPs on your PC.

For Windows XP, Vista and 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 up the Start Menu.

Step 2: Click on the Power button (for Windows 8 it is the little arrow next to the “Shut Down” button) and whilst holding down “Shift” click on Restart.

Step 3: After reboot, a blue menu with options will appear. From them you should choose Troubleshoot.

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

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

Step 6: From the Startup Settings menu, click on Restart.

Step 7: A menu will appear upon reboot. You can choose any of the three Safe Mode options by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart.

Some malicious scripts may modify the registry entries on your computer to change different settings. This is why cleaning your Windows Registry Database is recommended. Since the tutorial on how to do this is a bit long and tampering with registries could damage your computer if not done properly you should refer and follow our instructive article about fixing registry entries, especially if you are unexperienced in that area.

2. Find files created by Matrix Ransomware on your PC

Find files created by Matrix Ransomware

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

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.

Use SpyHunter to scan for malware and unwanted programs

3. Scan for malware and unwanted programs with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

Scan your PC and Remove Matrix Ransomware with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data

1. Install SpyHunter to scan for Matrix Ransomware and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove Matrix Ransomware. Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.

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

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is 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. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.

Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.

Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

Step 1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Malware/PC Scan’ tab. A new window will appear. Click on ‘Start Scan’.

Step 2: After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the ‘Next’ button.

Step 3: If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

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 with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats. We recommend you to read more about it and to download SOS Online Backup .

SOS Online Backup

4. Try to Restore files encrypted by Matrix Ransomware

Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Matrix Ransomware

Ransomware infections and Matrix Ransomware aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested several alternative methods that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that these methods may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.

Method 1: Scanning your drive’s sectors by using Data Recovery software.
Another method for restoring your files is by trying to bring back your files via data recovery software. Here are some suggestions for preferred data recovery software solutions:

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

Method 2: Trying Kaspersky and EmsiSoft’s decryptors.
If the first method does not work, we suggest trying to use decryptors for other ransomware viruses, in case your virus is a variant of them. The two primary developers of decryptors are Kaspersky and EmsiSoft, links to which we have provided below:

• Kaspersky Decryptors
• Emsisoft Decryptors

Method 3: Using Shadow Explorer

To restore your data in case you have backup set up, it is important to check for Volume Shadow Copies, if ransomware has not deleted them, in Windows using the below software:

• Shadow Explorer

Method 4: Finding the decryption key while the cryptovirus sends it over a network via a sniffing tool.

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. See how-to instructions below:

Instructions on How to Find Decryption Key for Files Encrypted By Ransowmare

Martin Beltov

Martin graduated with a degree in Publishing from Sofia University. As a cyber security enthusiast he enjoys writing about the latest threats and mechanisms of intrusion.

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