Ransom virus which contains the e-mail address ocean-1955@india.com is believed to be a part of a large ransomware family, known as the Xtbl variants. This is an extremely dangerous ransomware, since, at this point, there is no relevant decrypter for the files encoded by the virus. The ransomware, known as Okean-1955 is also reported to focus primarily on hitting enterprises, mainly SQL Server databases. One infected user has reported at Emsisoft forums to see an infection of an SQL server database and Okean-1955 encoded data of over 10000 customers, 15 branches and three years’ worth of information. Not only this, but the virus destroys backup, according to reports. All users who have had their systems infected with this ransomware virus, are strongly advised not to contact the e-mail address and not to cope with the terms of meeting the deadline of 24 hours given by the crooks. Instead, we strongly advise to read this article below and explore your options regarding removing this Xtbl variant and attempting to restore your files.
Threat Summary
| Name | Okean-1955 |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Short Description | Okean-1955 encrypts files with a strong cipher and leaves a ransom note asking to contact the cyber-criminals’ e-mail for further payoff instructions in return for the files. |
| Symptoms | Files are encrypted and become inaccessible. A ransom note with instructions for paying the ransom shows as a HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.txt file. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Social Media/td> |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
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| User Experience | Join our forum to Discuss Okean-1955 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. |
Okean-1955 Ransomware – How Does It Replicate
To be widespread across computers and SQL servers and infect them, Okean-1955 may use advanced techniques to bypass protection. One of those techniques is the obfuscation of malicious executables which can conceal the executable when it has been activated from any real-time shields that may be locally running on the affected machine. In addition to this, Okean-1955 Ransomware may spread via malicious web links as well. Such web links may be legitimate when checked for viruses, but they may cause redirects to malicious links, that may infect users via an Exploit Kit, drive-by downloads as well as malicious JavaScript. E-mails sent out by cyber-criminals may be of a different character, resembling legitimate organizations, for example, this fake e-mail spam pretending to be a person adding you to his Linked In circles:
Okean-1955 Ransomware – More Information
The payload which has been dropped by Okean-1955 may be located in the following key Windows folders:
- %AppData%
- %Roaming%
- %Local%
- %LocalRow%
- %Windows%
- %System%
- %System32%
- %Temp%
The files may be more than one and they are usually of the following types:
Usually, cyber-criminals either give the malicious files random names of A-Z 0-9 symbols or they mask them to resemble a legitimate process of Windows or a program installed on the computer, like “svchost.exe” for example which is a legitimate Windows process and stays in Task Manager at all times.
The Okean-1955 ransomware may also heavily modify the Windows Registry Editor, making it run on system startup and encrypt the files of the compromised compute. Simlar to other XTBL variants, Okean-1955 may seek and encrypt the following file types:
So far it is unknown what type of encryption Okean-1955 specifically uses, but we can say for sure that the XTBL variants include various options for choice of encryption mechanisms to add. With other XTBL ransomware viruses, like Crysis Ransomware, it has been seen that the following mechanisms for encoding data were used:
AES Cipher – Advanced Encryption Standard
It is utilized primarily by the government agencies, such as the NSA, which classify it in the Suite.B category, used to encrypt “eyes only” types of files. The direct decoding by AES ciphered files may take unimaginably long time even if performed by a powerful machine.
RSA Cipher – Rivest-Shamir-Adleman
Encoding by this cipher is very similar in decryption possibility with the AES cipher, and this is why it is in the same category. It uses a unique decryption key and in this particular case, it may have been used to encrypt the actual decryption key, automatically generated for the AES encrypted files.
CBC Mode – Cipher Block Chaining
Here is where the situation becomes critical and serious. Whereas the encryption algorithms simply scramble the files’ code, this mode is like a defensive mechanism against users who try to descramble those files. This “mode” uses the so-called “blocks” of encrypted code and uses Initialization Vector to separate and strengthen those blocks of ciphered code. These combined with a chaining mechanism which breaks the file if you try to decrypt it permanently are the perfect insurance to the cyber-criminals that you will pay the ransom.
Not only this but to create additional mess, Okean-1955, may delete the Shadow Volume Copies of the infected machine by executing the following command via a malicious script with Escalated privileges:
After encryption of the files, Okean-1955 adds custom identification symbols, the .okean file extension and of course, the typical .xtbl extension in the end. Here is how an encrypted file looks like:
The ransomware is then reported to leave the following ransom note behind in a HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.txt:
для расшифровки обращаться на почту okean-1955@india.com
у вас есть 24 часа. после 24 часов расшифровку сделать сложнее.
All your files are encrypted!!!!
decryption handle mail okean-1955@india.com
you have 24 hours. after 24 hours to make decryption difficult.”
Okean-1955 Ransomware – Conclusion, File Restoration, and Removal
The bottom line is that this is yet another ransomware variant from a very popular ransomware family that has done quite the damage to organizations as well as home users globally. Other viruses like it include the Redshitline Ransomware, Crysis XTBL Ransomware, Ecovector Ransomware, Troldesh Ransomware, DataStorm Ransomware and others. This strongly suggests that to be widespread on this level, this virus must be sold on the underground web markets of the deep web or other places as well. Whatever the case may be, we strongly advise against paying any form of ransom money to cyber-criminals, because you support their organization by making it richer, and a free decrypter may be released sooner than expected.
To remove Okean-1955, we strongly advise you to follow the instructions which we have posted after this article. They are methodologically arranged to contribute to the effective removal process of this crypto-virus.
To try and restore your files, we urge you not to attempt direct decryption and not to use other decryptors, unless researchers provide a working one. Instead, you may want to try and use alternative methods, like the ones mentioned below in step “3. Restore files encrypted by Okean-1955”.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and 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.
About the Okean-1955 Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Okean-1955 how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific malware and restore your encrypted files.
How did we conduct the research on this ransomware?
Our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, and as such, we receive daily updates on the latest malware and ransomware definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the Okean-1955 ransomware threat is backed with VirusTotal and the NoMoreRansom project.
To better understand the ransomware threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
References
1. How to Recognize Spam Emails with Ransomware
2. How Does Ransomware Encryption Work?
3. How to Decrypt Ransomware Files
4. Ransomware Getting Greedier and Bigger, Attacks Increase by 40%
5. 1 in 5 Americans Victim of Ransomware
How to Remove Okean-1955 from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Okean-1955
1. Hold Windows Key + R.
2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.
3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".
4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.
5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.
Step 2: Uninstall Okean-1955 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:
1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.
2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.
3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Okean-1955 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 Okean-1955 there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.
2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.
3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.
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 Okean-1955 with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.
2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.
3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.
4. 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.
Video Guide for Automatic and Fast Removal
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Okean-1955.
Ransomware infections and Okean-1955 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.
1. Download the recommended Data Recovery software by clicking on the link underneath:
Simply click on the link and on the website menus on the top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Step 6: How to Restore Files Encrypted by Ransomware (Video Guide)
Get rid of Okean-1955 from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Okean-1955 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:
2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:
3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to Okean-1955:
4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.
5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to Okean-1955. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash
”.
6. Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference.
Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to Okean-1955. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
7. Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:
- 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 Okean-1955 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:
1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:
2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:
3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as Okean-1955. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.
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 Okean-1955.
Ransomware infections and Okean-1955 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.
1. Download the recommended Data Recovery software by clicking on the link underneath:
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.
Okean-1955 FAQ
What is Okean-1955 ransomware and how does it work?
Okean-1955 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 Okean-1955 ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.Okean-1955 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 Okean-1955 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 .Okean-1955 files?
You can't. At this point the .Okean-1955 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 .Okean-1955 files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by Okean-1955 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 ".Okean-1955" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Okean-1955 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 Okean-1955 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 Okean-1955 ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Okean-1955 files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like Okean-1955 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.