R980 is a ransomware virus, which encrypts databases, documents, photos and other files. It wants half a Bitcoin as a ransom payment, which amounts to nearly 330 US dollars. The files get encrypted with AES 256-bit and RSA4096 encryption algorithms according to the ransom message. To remove the ransomware and see how you can try to restore your files, you should read the article carefully.
Threat Summary
| Name | R980 |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Short Description | The ransomware encrypts your files, using AES 256-bit and RSA4096 encryption combined. Afterward, it shows you a ransom message |
| Symptoms | The ransomware encrypts your files, while randomizing their names with different letters and symbols. It gives details on how to pay the ransom and asks for 330 US dollars as payment. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, File Sharing Networks |
| 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 R980. |
| 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. |
R980 Ransomware – Distribution
R980 ransomware could be distributed with the help of spam emails. Such emails often try reaching as many people as possible and try to infect their computer. The message found in the body of the email tries to convince users to open a link or an attachment. Opening the attachment activates the malicious payload or downloads a malware file. The file associated with this ransomware virus is called f.exe. A security researcher with a twitter handle @Bartblaze has found that the email service Mailinator.com was used for sending a decrypter. The same service might be used as an entry point for the virus. Do not open any emails which seem suspicious.
Another possible distribution method for the R980 ransomware could be social media and file-sharing networks. This type of networks is what cyber crooks also use to spread their ransomware further and compromise computers on a larger scale. A message could come with the file claiming that is a useful program. Avoiding the infection is manageable if you are very careful with files, especially if they have an unknown origin or try to push free software which has an official site.
R980 Ransomware – Details
R980 ransomware is new, and it still might be in its test period, but has been spotted in the wild by the malware researcher Jaromir Horejsi. It is believed that the address from where it came from might be responsible for compromising computer systems and namely bookmyroom(.)pk.
R980 ransomware was intended as some kind of a project and has the following files on the above-mentioned website associated with it (as Horejsi has found):
- bootstrap-timepicker.css
- bootstrap-timepicker.js
- bootstrap-timepicker.min.css
- bootstrap-timepicker.min.js
- db.txt
- f.exe
- keys.txt
- x.php
As mentioned above, the f.exe executable file is the one that delivers the payload and does the damage. After file encryption you will see the following ransom note as an image:
You can see the full ransom message with complete instructions in a text file. Here is how that file looks like:
The file is called DECRYPTION INSTRUCTIONS.txt and it reads:
!!!! ATTENTION !!!! YOUR FILES HAVE BEEN ENCRYPTED! !!!!
ALL of your documents, photos, databases and other important files have been encrypted with AES – 256 and RSA4096.You will not be able to recover your files without the private key which has been saved on our server.An antivirus can not recover your files.
hxxps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Encryption_Standard
HOW TO GET YOUR FILES BACK:
To decrypt your files you have to pay .5 Bitcoins (BTC).
How to make payment?
1. Firstly, you have to buy Bitcoins (BTC). You can buy Bitcoins easily at the following site (you can skip this step if you already have Bitcoins).
https://www.coinbase.com/
https://coincafe.com/
https://bitquick.co/
2. Send .5 BTC to the following Bitcoin address – You don’t have to send the exact amount above. You have to send at least this amount for our systems to confirm payment.
BITCOIN ADDRESS: 1NXYHuHdM8WBHBBRbxQbXQ9L3ry2radGgr
3. Once you have paid to the above Bitcoin address we will give you a link to a decrypter that will fix your files.
It will be sent to a public email account we have created for you:
https://www.mailinator.com/inbox2.jsp?public_to=8569402d-3a74-4f27-91ba-d6408e0ff8fe
Please wait up to 24 hours for your decrypter to arrive.
From the note it becomes apparent that the ransom money which R980 asks as payment is 0.5 BitCoins or in the range of 330 US dollars.
Despite the sum of money that is asked, it is NOT advised to pay the ransom. Even if you manage to contact the cyber crooks you might not get your files back. Paying only supports owners of the ransomware and motivates them to continue doing this. Keep reading, to find out how you can try to recover your files.
The ransomware encrypts files and puts random letters and symbols as their names. For the encryption process, the AES 256-bit and RSA4096 algorithms are used, at least according to the ransom note.
File types that get encrypted by R980 ransomware are ones which people usually use the most:
- Databases
- Documents
- Photos
- Other important files
You can see that the R980 ransomware is detected by security software already, if you check the VirusTotal website:
R980 ransomware is not known if it deletes the Shadow Volume Copies of the Windows operating system. Read on below to find out a few methods you can try to recover your files.
Remove R980 Ransomware and Restore Encrypted Files
If your computer system is infected with the R980 ransomware, you should have some experience with removing malware. You should get rid of this ransomware before it infects somebody else on the network you use. The recommended action for you is to read the step-by-step instructions manual provided below, remove the ransomware efficiently and see if you can restore your files.
- Step 1
- Step 2
- Step 3
- Step 4
- Step 5
Step 1: Scan for R980 with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall R980 and related malware 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 delete most unwanted and malicious programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by R980 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 R980 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: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove R980
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by R980.
Method 1: Use STOP Decrypter by Emsisoft.
Not all variants of this ransomware can be decrypted for free, but we have added the decryptor used by researchers that is often updated with the variants which become eventually decrypted. You can try and decrypt your files using the instructions below, but if they do not work, then unfortunately your variant of the ransomware virus is not decryptable.
Follow the instructions below to use the Emsisoft decrypter and decrypt your files for free. You can download the Emsisoft decryption tool linked here and then follow the steps provided below:
1 Right-click on the decrypter and click on Run as Administrator as shown below:
2. Agree with the license terms:
3. Click on "Add Folder" and then add the folders where you want files decrypted as shown underneath:
4. Click on "Decrypt" and wait for your files to be decoded.
Note: Credit for the decryptor goes to Emsisoft researchers who have made the breakthrough with this virus.
Method 2: Use data recovery software
Ransomware infections and R980 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 the top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
R980-FAQ
What is R980 Ransomware?
R980 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 algorithms 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.
What Does R980 Ransomware Do?
Ransomware in general is a malicious software that is designed to block access to your computer or files until a ransom is paid.
Ransomware viruses can also damage your system, corrupt data and delete files, resulting in the permanent loss of important files.
How Does R980 Infect?
Via several ways.R980 Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing emails, 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.
Another way you may become a victim of R980 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 .R980 files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .R980 files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted using a specific decryption key for the particular algorithm.
What to Do If a Decryptor Does Not Work?
Do not panic, and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your .R980 files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".R980" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .R980 files.
These methods are in no way 100% guaranteed that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How To Get Rid of R980 Virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti-malware program.
It will scan for and locate R980 ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .R980 files.
Can I 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.
Can You Stop Ransomware from Encrypting Your Files?
Yes, you can prevent ransomware. The best way to do this is to ensure your computer system is updated with the latest security patches, use a reputable anti-malware program and firewall, backup your important files frequently, and avoid clicking on malicious links or downloading unknown files.
Can R980 Ransomware Steal Your Data?
Yes, in most cases ransomware will steal your information. It is a form of malware that steals data from a user's computer, encrypts it, and then demands a ransom in order to decrypt it.
In many cases, the malware authors or attackers will threaten to delete the data or publish it online unless the ransom is paid.
Can Ransomware Infect WiFi?
Yes, ransomware can infect WiFi networks, as malicious actors can use it to gain control of the network, steal confidential data, and lock out users. If a ransomware attack is successful, it could lead to a loss of service and/or data, and in some cases, financial losses.
Should I Pay Ransomware?
No, you should not pay ransomware extortionists. Paying them only encourages criminals and does not guarantee that the files or data will be restored. The better approach is to have a secure backup of important data and be vigilant about security in the first place.
What Happens If I Don't Pay Ransom?
If you don't pay the ransom, the hackers may still have access to your computer, data, or files and may continue to threaten to expose or delete them, or even use them to commit cybercrimes. In some cases, they may even continue to demand additional ransom payments.
Can a Ransomware Attack Be Detected?
Yes, ransomware can be detected. Anti-malware software and other advanced security tools can detect ransomware and alert the user when it is present on a machine.
It is important to stay up-to-date on the latest security measures and to keep security software updated to ensure ransomware can be detected and prevented.
Do Ransomware Criminals Get Caught?
Yes, ransomware criminals do get caught. Law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, Interpol and others have been successful in tracking down and prosecuting ransomware criminals in the US and other countries. As ransomware threats continue to increase, so does the enforcement activity.
About the R980 Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this R980 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 R980 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.
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.