The article presents detailed information about a data locker ransomware that encodes personal files and appends the extension .missing to their names. Below you will also find a step-by-step guide on how to remove malicious files from the infected system and how to potentially recover encrypted files without paying the requested ransom fee.
.missing Virus Files
The name .missing virus is given to a vicious crypto infection that is categorized as a ransomware. Ransomware is a kind of infection that disrupts system security with the goal to encode personal files and demands a ransom for their recovery. To make a specific ransomware threat recognizable its developers set it to mark corrupted files with a fixed extension. And the so-called Missing ransomware virus appends the extension .missing to the names of all files it encrypts. At the end of the infection, this ransomware drops a ransom message file Contact_Data_Recovery.txt and attempts to blackmail victims into paying a ransom to hackers. Beware that the ransom payment does not guarantee the successful recovery of .missing files.
Threat Summary
| Name | .missing virus files |
| File Extension | .missing |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| What Is It | A cryptovirus that can encode your files and hold them hostage in exchange for ransom payoff. |
| Symptoms | The files cannot be opened and the ransom note of the virus starts appearing. |
| Ransom Demanding Note | Contact_Data_Recovery.txt |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executable Files, Hacked Websites |
| Removal | To effectively remove active .missing virus files virus infections, we recommend that you use an advanced anti-malware tool. Download Malware Removal Tool | User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss .missing virus files. |
| 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. |
.missing Files – More About this Ransomware Infection
According to the latest information shared by security researchers the so-called .missing virus is a malicious program that belongs to the ransomware type of malware. The spread of ransomware like this one is usually realized via spam emails, malicious email attachments, hacked web pages, corrupted freeware installers, and fake software installers.
The malicious code of this new ransomware may have landed on your computer after a download of a file that was attached to a legitimate-like email message. Emails that contain malicious files usually attempt to convince you that the attached files contain important information. Hence, they present the files as:
- Invoices coming from reputable sites, like PayPal, eBay, etc.
- Documents from that appear to be sent from your bank.
- An online order confirmation note.
- Receipt for a purchase.
- Others.
When the infected file is opened on a target device, it enables .missing ransomware virus to trigger lots of malicious processes that infect essential system settings. If it manages to complete all initial infection stages, it will reach target files and modify their code with the help of strong cipher algorithms like AES and RSA.
As a result of encryption, files remain inaccessible until their code is revered back to the original state. In addition, they appears with the suffix .missing at the end of their names.
Unfortunately, .missing virus is likely to corrupt all files that are likely to store valuable information such as:
- Audio files
- Video files
- Document files
- Image files
- Backup files
- Banking credentials, etc
In fact, the purpose of this ransomware is to blackmail you into paying a ransom fee to hackers. That’s why when it completes all infections stages, it drops a ransom message with instructions on how to continue with a ransom payment process.
Here is a copy of its ransom message which is stored in the file Contact_Data_Recovery.txt:
All your data has been encrypted.
Contact by Email for data recovery.
Email : dataforward@bk.ru
Your ID : SEE6EHK3749BG
WARNING: If you don’t contact in 72 hours, contact from a different email provider
You should NOT under any circumstances pay any ransom sum to cybercriminals. This action does not guarantee the recovery of your .missing files.
How to Remove .missing Virus Files
The so-called .missing virus is a threat with a highly complex code that disrupts system security in order to encrypt personal files. Hence the infected system could be used in a secure manner again only after you complete a removal process that will get rid of all malicious files and objects created by the ransomware. That’s why it is recommendable that you follow all steps presented in the ransomware removal guide below. Beware that the manual ransomware removal is suitable for more experienced computer users. If you don’t feel comfortable with the manual steps navigate to the automatic part of the guide.
Gergana Ivanova
Gergana has a bachelor's degree in Marketing. She has been with the STF team for five years, researching malware, reporting on the latest computer infections, and following digital marketing trends.
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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 .missing virus files from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of .missing virus files from Mac OS X.
How to Remove .missing virus files from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove .missing virus files
Step 2: Uninstall .missing virus files 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 .missing virus files 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 .missing virus files 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 .missing virus files with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .missing virus files.
Ransomware infections and .missing virus files 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 .missing virus files from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall .missing virus files 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 .missing virus files 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 malware from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts, programs and malware, 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.
Step 3 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .missing virus files on your Mac.
Ransomware for Mac .missing virus files aims to encode all your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decode, unless you pay money.
This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files, but only in some cases. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
.missing virus files FAQ
What is .missing virus files ransomware and how does it work?
.missing virus files 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 .missing virus files ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways..missing virus files 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 .missing virus files 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 ..missing virus files files?
You can't. At this point the ..missing virus files 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 ..missing virus files files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by .missing virus files 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 "..missing virus files" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore ..missing virus files 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 .missing virus files 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 .missing virus files ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important ..missing virus files files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like .missing virus files 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.
